The search for a center player worthy of the name has been going on for years in Montreal.
Each season, among the supporters, the eternal refrain keeps coming back: “yes, but without a pivot of impact, we will not achieve anything”.
See Marc Bergevin’s press briefing in the video above.
But things appear to be changing.
These unusual playoffs, beyond the pleasure they bring to all, have also witnessed the emergence of two quality center players within the group of the Montreal Canadiens. Yes, yes … Two! You read correctly.
First, Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Youngster # 15 really took his game to another level when compared to the performance he was providing before the break. More physical, more incisive with the puck, combative near the net … In short, “KK” has only been doing good things for a few weeks. He is also, as of Friday, the club’s first scorer in the playoffs.
At a press briefing on Friday, Marc Bergevin was also questioned about the enormous contribution of Kotkaniemi since the start of the qualifiers.
And the CEO did not hesitate to praise his young skater player.
“From day one of returning to action, he came in with a whole different mindset. I want to be very clear on the following point: it is not thanks to Marc Bergevin, Claude Julien or Joël Bouchard that Kotkaniemi has raised his game so much. It is thanks to him and only him. And I want to give it all the credit it deserves. It is important.
“He had to be better and he got to be. We can now see the potential that we saw in him when we drafted him. He has a bright future ahead of him. ”
Charmed by Suzuki
The Canadiens general manager also praised the merits of another youngster who impresses a lot: Nick Suzuki.
“What I love about Suzuki is obviously his level of play, but especially that he is able to compete so much at this time of the year. We’re in the playoffs. The matches are tough and physical. He raised his level of play.
“We must not forget that Suzuki last year finished the playoffs first in scorers in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OHL). He helped his team, the Guelph Storm, erase a 3-1 deficit against London. He is a player of character and we can see him very well today. Hats off to Nick Suzuki. He becomes the promising young player everyone predicted. “
