Denis : Est-ce que la façon dont le Tricolore est en train de perdre est préoccupante ? (TSN 690)

3 Comments

1. BlazeOfGlory72 2 ans ago

   **Summary**

   * McKenna starts off the interview by asking Denis what he thinks the organization is thinking seeing these losses pile up. Denis doesn’t think the team is overly concerned about wins and losses right now, and thinks that management expected the team to struggle this season. That said, nobody likes when a team doesn’t show up, and that is what happened in the first period against Seattle. Denis talks about how after a team breaks a losing streak, it can often lead to some lackidaisical play in the next game as the team thinks they are out of their funk.
   * Denis talked a bit about how Seattle’s loss to the Canadiens earlier this season was one of their worst performances of the season, so the team was motivated to beat the Habs. He compares the Kraken to the early 2000’s Minnesota Wild, coached by Jaques Lemaire. It’s a team that all plays the same way, and are very difficult to play against.
   * Starr mentions a quote from Suzuki, where he told Slafkovsky to « stick with it » and how they were all in this together. Starr then asks how Suzuki is handling being Captain in such a challenging season. Denis says that Nick is getting help, especially from veteran players like Edmundson and Savard. Denis talks about how highly touted prospects like Suzuki are used to winning, so playing through a season like this is definitely difficult. Denis thinks Suzuki has done a good job as Captain, seeming very mature and saying the right things.
   * They play a clip from an interview with Slafkovsky where they asked him why the Habs lost, and he responded « they scored more goals », which gave the panel a chuckle. McKenna asks Denis if he has any issue with Slafkovsky playing the rest of the season in the NHL. « No » says Denis. He thinks it would have been a good idea for Slaf to play at the World Juniors, but he has shown he is capable of playing at the NHL level. Denis also comments that Laval hasn’t really shown to be much of a « farm team » yet, with current management not really sending many players there to develop.
   * Denis wonders if injuries may have derailed the plan with Slafkovsky. If Monanhan and others had remained healthy, and Slaf was still on the 4th line, maybe it’s easier to send Slaf to Laval.
   * McKenna asks about Justin Barron, to which Denis responds that he hasn’t really shown he is ready for the NHL. Barron was the « default » number one defenseman in Laval, but Denis didn’t really think he had earned it. Denis likes Barron’s mobility and he thinks Barron has a decent shot, but his decision making needs work and lacks physicality. Barron needs to be playing big minutes to improve, and he is not getting that in Montreal.
   * McKenna brings up Laval, and how they have had a rough season. He asks what it is like for young players who want to make the NHL to have to play through that. Denis talks about how young players will dream of playing in the AAA, CHL or NCAA, but not player ever dreams of playing in the AHL. Denis talks about how AHL teams are often built on NHL cast-offs, and as soon as someone breaks out, they go to the NHL. It can be a difficult environment to play and develop in.
   * Starr asks how a rookie coach like St. Louis will handle the time off between games. Do you bag skate the team again, or lighten up on them? Denis thinks that last nights loss is an example of a team lacking maturity, and not used to the ups and downs of the NHL.
   * McKenna asks if it may be time for Hughes to make a statement and answer some questions to calm the waters. Denis jokes that it would be a good time for Hughes to do a post-mortem on the season. He agrees though that the halfway point of the season is a good time for the GM to address the media and fans.
   * Denis also talks a bit about how there is a point where you need to cut your losses with veteran players, and just cut them from the team if they aren’t showing up, even if that hurts their trade value. They are trying to build a culture here, and if some players are constantly mailing it in, that is hurting what you are trying to build. Denis comments that a loss to Tampa can be an example of how far you have to go to be elite, but bad losses to teams like Nashville, Washington and Seattle should not be happening.
   * Denis comments that if this team and coaching staff can come out the other side of this adversity as a group, it will create a strong core going forward. If not though, changes need to be made to prevent things from spiraling out of control.

2. BlazeOfGlory72 2 ans ago

   **Bonus Summary**

   [Pagnotta: Armia’s Value – TSN.ca](https://www.tsn.ca/radio/montreal-690/pagnotta-armia-s-value-1.1903709)

   * They start off by talking about Armia, and his level of play improving recently. Gallo asks how much more of this it would take to generate some interest on the trade market. Pagnotta says that it will take some consistency for teams to have any interest in acquiring someone like Armia. There was apparently some interest in the off-season, but the talks ended up going nowhere. If Armia can get back to basics, and contribute every night, even if it is not on the score boards, some teams might be willing to take on his contract.
   * With the Panthers struggling, Gallo wonders if Florida will become sellers at the deadline and make their 1st round draft pick even more valuable. Pagnotta doesn’t think the Panthers are at that point yet. The Panthers are still in the play-off race, and won’t become sellers unless the lose a lot and fall out of the race. Pagnotta also mentions that the Panthers don’t have a ton of big pieces to sell at the deadline. Gudas and Hornqvist are the only noteworthy names that might sell. They are also likely hoping that the return of Duclair will give them a boost.
   * Gallo asks who the buyers will be at the deadline, and who will make the first move. Pagnotta talks about how there is a lot of frustration among teams right now due to the cap restraints preventing any significant moves. Pagnotta mentions that the Rangers are looking to make some acquisitions, including Patrick Kane. Toronto is mentioned as well. Vegas is also apparently looking at Bo Horvat. LA is looking for a left D. Edmonton is also looking to get some help.
   * Campbell asks about Washington, saying that they are the oldest team in the league with 12 players over 30. They must know their window is limited, so do they make any big acquisitions? Pagnotta says that Washington is likely looking to see how the return of Backstrom and Wilson effect the team before making any trades. They are up against the cap however, so any moves will be difficult.
   * Gallo asks about Jacob Vrana, and how a player of his quality ended up clearing waivers. Pagnotta thinks that the Cup contenders did not have the cap space, and the bottom feeders did not want to hurt their draft chances and get better by claiming Vrana.

3. mdlt97 2 ans ago

   id rather the games be close but when you have close games you run the risk of getting points, and that isn’t worth it

   so its not ideal but its better than the alternative imo