Chris Kreider: Martin St-Louis’s patience may have its limits

Vincent Larue
Chris Kreider: Martin St-Louis’s patience may have its limits
Credit: Capture d'écran Twitter

Chris Kreider has played only one regular-season game with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.

Just one, and it wasn't very promising.

So no, this is certainly not the time to panic. But that doesn't stop us from asking a question that's likely to come up again pretty soon if the trio takes too long to get going.

How long should Martin St-Louis give his new top line before he starts questioning the experiment?

During his appearance on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, Brian Wilde addressed this very question. In his view, about ten games would be a reasonable timeframe before really starting to judge the experiment.

For his part, Tony Marinaro offered a perspective that resonates more with me.

As long as the Canadiens are winning, why change?

In my view, it's as simple as that.

This year, the Habs are playing to win. We're no longer just in a development phase where we can let an experiment drag on for weeks, hoping it'll eventually work out.

But as long as the wins keep coming, St. Louis can afford to be patient with Kreider.

Especially since the goal behind the new lines is clear: to achieve greater balance within the top six. Immediately reuniting Juraj Slafkovsky with Suzuki and Caufield could help the first line, but it would also take a key piece away from the second. That's precisely the dilemma raised during the discussion.

And let's be honest, Slafkovsky and the second line didn't exactly set the world on fire in the season opener either.

On the other hand, St. Louis knows he has a card up his sleeve.

Slafkovsky worked very well with Suzuki and Caufield. That line was one of the best in the NHL during some strong stretches, and we already know there's chemistry between the three of them.

That's where results become important. If the Habs win, I wouldn't even put an expiration date on the Kreider experiment.

If the Canadiens start dropping points in the standings and the top line still isn't producing, that will be a different story. The Habs want to win now, and St-Louis won't have to look far to find another lineup.

A formula that worked like a charm.

For now, pulling out the blender after just one game would be way too soon.


In a nutshell

– Matthew Schaefer's next contract could reach $20 million annually.

– Sidney Crosby has respect for Juraj Slafkovsky.

– Wow!

– Aaron Rodgers is showing his frustration.

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