Marc Bergevin Press Conference 1 PM

[montreal]

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[Adam Michaels]

While we're here:

 

[Whitesnake]

That news about the 3-year deal to Bergie was something Engels told us in June. As if it was on the table. From the new source, it seems it's signed. And will be announced at the start of the year. We will see.

 

[dinodebino]

While we're here:

Speechless.

 

[HuGort]

While we're here:

Yup, Bergs good hockey man. Got us to finals. Creates a lot of stir around Habs. Which bought Molson alot more revenue.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

It will all be KKs fault

 

[Mark9988]

he will be the coward he is and blame KK for lack of progression, poor attitude and poor character, he will say they expected more from him,

he will then preach how dvorak is a great character and team guy, the type of guy you win with

and of course he will let us all know that anything can happen next season

i know anything can happen, including a lottery pick season/finish

 

[Intangir]

I don't know if the press conference will cover a contract extension for MB. It could as that would divert some of the attention away from the whole KK issue and might help the media and viewers better "swallow" what transpired with the offer sheet. But our owner/GM/PR team certainly do like their smokescreens, so expect something similar if there is no extension talk.

And I think MB will approach the whole KK fiasco like he would a trial, probably advised on it by the Canadiens' PR people in fact. Although the situation doesn't match 100%, I expect DARVO to show its ugly face again (as it nearly always does in legal matters/press conferences made to placate the audience) and for Bergevin to bungle his speeches, something we have grown accustomed to in the nine years he's been in office.

How I more or less expect the whole offersheet comments by MB to go, without the bumbling of words, jumbling of sentences from french to english every five seconds (I did it for your reading pleasure, no need to thank me):

Deny - "No, we didn't do anything to mismanage KK, nor did we draft poorly. Our scouting staff sees potential, we draft someone but then it's in the player's hands whether he realizes that potential or not. Carolina took us by surprise with the offersheet, we knew they were interested but couldn't know they were gonna try and acquire KK that way. We did all we could, observed all our options and finally came to the conclusion that letting KK go was the right thing to do."

Attack - "KK didin't show enough growth in his game/maturity issues and we were not confident with matching that offersheet. We didn't feel comfortable with bringing back a guy that clearly wants to leave. Also, some of our coaches/players told me they were not pleased with Jesperi for signing that OS. Dvorak, whom we've just acquired from Arizona, is a more mature player, better defensively, and we think he will match/be better with our team than KK would have been for us. I have already talked a bit with Dvorak over the phone and he told me he was thrilled to come and play in Montreal, to be able to play for such a historic franchise and have a chance to finally win something."

Reverse Victim and Offender - "The Hurricanes signed KK for too much money and messed things up for us as far as qualifying offers go. That whole offer was a bit of a low blow with the whole 20$ contract bonus. But worse, If we matched the OS we would be tight against the cap in the years to come and would have trouble bringing back Suzuki, Romanov and Caufield when time came to give them extensions. By agreeing to sign the <<offre hostile>> KK and the Hurricanes forced us to move although we didn't want to. We managed to get a great player in Dvorak, whom we were interested in before the offer sheet, but we had to really work with Arizona over the week to make a deal possible."

Ending statement - "Despite all that's happened we wish Kotkaniemi the best with Carolina, and also think the Canadiens have a very good chance to be successful this upcoming season. Our players and coaches are all excited about the new season and have prepared all summer. Merci, bonne journée."

Like that I think, with more obsequious and polite statements towards the journalists here and there, some answering of stupid and easy questions, some superficial pleasantries and praise for the staff/coaches/owner sprinkled in, but yeah. Really think I've got the core of his statement right.

If he does it different and admits his mistakes I'll give him credit, but I sincerely don't think he will.

 

[Bacchus1]

I don't know if the press conference will cover a contract extension for MB. It could as that would divert some of the attention away from the whole KK issue and might help the media and viewers better "swallow" what transpired with the offer sheet. But our owner/GM/PR team certainly do like their smokescreens, so expect something similar if there is no extension talk.

And I think MB will approach the whole KK fiasco like he would a trial, probably advised on it by the Canadiens' PR people in fact. Although the situation doesn't match 100%, I expect DARVO to show its ugly face again (as it nearly always does in legal matters/press conferences made to placate the audience) and for Bergevin to bungle his speeches, something we have grown accustomed to in the nine years he's been in office.

How I more or less expect the whole offersheet comments by MB to go, without the bumbling of words, jumbling of sentences from french to english every five seconds (I did it for your reading pleasure, no need to thank me):

Deny - "No, we didn't do anything to mismanage KK, nor did we draft poorly. Our scouting staff sees potential, we draft someone but then it's in the player's hands whether he realizes that potential or not. Carolina took us by surprise with the offersheet, we knew they were interested but couldn't know they were gonna try and acquire KK that way. We did all we could, observed all our options and finally came to the conclusion that letting KK go was the right thing to do."

Attack - "KK didin't show enough growth in his game/maturity issues and we were not confident with matching that offersheet. We didn't feel comfortable with bringing back a guy that clearly wants to leave. Also, some of our coaches/players told me they were not pleased with Jesperi for signing that OS. Dvorak, whom we've just acquired from Arizona, is a more mature player, better defensively, and we think he will match/be better with our team than KK would have been for us. I have already talked a bit with Dvorak over the phone and he told me he was thrilled to come and play in Montreal, to be able to play for such a historic franchise and have a chance to finally win something."

Reverse Victim and Offender - "The Hurricanes signed KK for too much money and messed things up for us as far as qualifying offers go. That whole offer was a bit of a low blow with the whole 20$ contract bonus. But worse, If we matched the OS we would be tight against the cap in the years to come and would have trouble bringing back Suzuki, Romanov and Caufield when time came to give them extensions. By agreeing to sign the <<offre hostile>> KK and the Hurricanes forced us to move although we didn't want to. We managed to get a great player in Dvorak, whom we were interested in before the offer sheet, but we had to really work with Arizona over the week to make a deal possible."

Ending statement - "Despite all that's happened we wish Kotkaniemi the best with Carolina, and also think the Canadiens have a very good chance to be successful this upcoming season. Our players and coaches are all excited about the new season and have prepared all summer. Merci, bonne journée."

Like that I think, with more obsequious and polite statements towards the journalists here and there, some answering of stupid and easy questions, some superficial pleasantries and praise for the staff/coaches/owner sprinkled in, but yeah. Really think I've got the core of his statement right.

If he does it different and admits his mistakes I'll give him credit, but I sincerely don't think he will.

you represent speaking the truth as some sort of weakness.

everything you wrote seems accurate and factual. I doubt we hear much more than that because anything else would not be public knowledge, and thus, it would contradict the code.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Logan Mailloux’s situation is raised.

 

[Mudz]

While we're here:

If true, it's just logical. When your team goes the SC finals and you're nominated as one of the best in your field by your peers.

 

[Roadhouse]

If true, it's just logical. When your team goes the SC finals and you're nominated as one of the best in your field by your peers.

Ya. And with all their mighty talent, TO may not even achieve what the Habs just did with this patched up roster.


Our GM loaded up with the right players and the team went to the Finals... but it "wasn't enough" for posters who were "wronged" by some of Bergevin's trades, there's just no way to get over certain things for them. Oh well oh well, allllrite alllllrite. It's just entertaimment, it's not a personal relationship. You can't divorce the team nor divorce from Bergevin.

 

[CoopersFalls]

You can't find quality Centres unless you draft them yourself. This isn't Playstation, they don't grow on trees. - Paraphrasing

Proceeds to lose 21 year old top prospect centre for meh draft picks.

 

[sandviper]

Trades are hard.

 

[A Loyal Demidog]

Here’s how I think it’ll go…


Question 1
Hey Marc, can you comment on Kotkaniemi’s offer sheet?

“No.

Sorry, it’s a double-sword question.
Next?”


Question 2
Were you surprised that Kotkaniemi signed the offer sheet?

“Wouldn’t you sign 6.1m for a season?
Hockey is a business. If you want loyalty, buy a dog.”


Question 3
Can you comment on Christian Dvorak? There seems to be a lot of pressure with him filling in Danault and Kotkaniemi’s shoes…

“Is your question if I have faith in Dvorak?
There’s a reason I brought him in this team.”


Question 4
Salut Marc, you previously said that is hard to trade for centers. But now you trade for Dvorak. Was there an option where you kept your 1st round pick?

“No.”


Question 5
Hello, Marc. Were there any other centers you were looking at—

“No. I can’t comment on that. Sorry.”


Question 6
Hi Marc, can you comment on the signing bonus offered by the Carolina Hurricanes?

“No.”


Thank you everyone for your questions. Merci à tous le monde pour vos questions.

 

[26Mats]

You can't find quality Centres unless you draft them yourself. This isn't Playstation, they don't grow on trees. - Paraphrasing

Proceeds to lose 21 year old top prospect centre for meh draft picks.

I agree with you frustration. I would have matched AND traded for Dvorak or re-signed Phil AND traded for Dvorak.

But, though I would have matched the KK offer sheet, that would be a move that comes with risk. Those picks we got form Carolina basically landed us Dvorak, who should be a high quality piece for perhaps 10 years. If KK doesn't pan out, we miss out on that piece for nothing. 2nd, you have to pay KK an extra 3M on the cap above his worth while waiting for him to pan out. Even if he does pan out, no one knows when. It took Couturier until 25. I could definitely see KK taking that long given his body type and difficulties with balance until he fills out...

 

[CoopersFalls]

I agree with you frustration. I would have matched AND traded for Dvorak or re-signed Phil AND traded for Dvorak.

But, though I would have matched the KK offer sheet, that would be a move that comes with risk. Those picks we got form Carolina basically landed us Dvorak, who should be a high quality piece for perhaps 10 years. If KK doesn't pan out, we miss out on that piece for nothing. 2nd, you have to pay KK an extra 3M on the cap above his worth while waiting for him to pan out. Even if he does pan out, no one knows when. It took Couturier until 25. I could definitely see KK taking that long given his body type and difficulties with balance until he fills out...

I don't necessarily blame MB for not matching, I blame him for not signing him to 3x3 or 4x4 or similar early in the summer instead of low-balling 2-2.5/yr.

 

[jaffy27]

While we're here:

yesssss

 

[jaffy27]

You can't find quality Centres unless you draft them yourself. This isn't Playstation, they don't grow on trees. - Paraphrasing

Proceeds to lose 21 year old top prospect centre for meh draft picks.

and what did he do with those meh draft picks??

 

[jaffy27]

he will be the coward he is and blame KK for lack of progression, poor attitude and poor character, he will say they expected more from him,

he will then preach how dvorak is a great character and team guy, the type of guy you win with

and of course he will let us all know that anything can happen next season

i know anything can happen, including a lottery pick season/finish

We will be waiting for Bergevin to say that KK has poor character, poor attitude as per your post......can't wait for you to be right on that one

He will say we expected more of him?? are you for real?? So you're telling me that the 5 goals he scored was your expectations from this 3rd overall pick??

 

[RealityHurts]

While we're here:

Great decision.

Perhaps most armchair GM's over here will disagree and cry about it, but god damn!

Big news!

 

[Habaneros]

I don't necessarily blame MB for not matching, I blame him for not signing him to 3x3 or 4x4 or similar early in the summer instead of low-balling 2-2.5/yr.

Lol...Pacman67 wanted out and KK wanted out...no extensions for these guys...grant them their
wish


Pacman left we ended up with Suzuki and Toffoli,,,,


KK left we end up with Dvorak and hopefully Matthew Tkachuk in a few seasons or less..lol

 

[nhlfan9191]

and what did he do with those meh draft picks??

He got us a middle six center.

 

[Puck Luck Run Amok]

While we're here:

I'm out. That's the last straw for me. 3 year extension after forfeiting a #3 overall pick. What a joke of an organization. Drafted a sex offender, lose 2 centers and put our franchise player on an expansion list to protect Jake "Choke City" Allen...

Congrats Geoff, you've finally managed to make this team as awful as your beer

 

[jaffy27]

He got us a middle six center.

a middle 6 center that has out goaled Danault and KK combined and at a much better price.....nothing to see here

 

[Habaneros]

I'm out. That's the last straw for me. 3 year extension after forfeiting a #3 overall pick. What a joke of an organization. Drafted a sex offender, lose 2 centers and put our franchise player on an expansion list to protect Jake "Choke City" Allen...

Congrats Geoff, you've finally managed to make this team as awful as your beer

Like it or not getting to the Stanley Cup has to be rewarded....most all us here been whining about never getting to a Cup final maybe for the rest of our lives.....and Bergevin finally got the bus to the finish line....it has to mean something.