Martin St-Louis has just made probably the most important decision of the season

Published November 3, 2022 at 1:00
BY JEFF DROUIN

After ten games into the 2022-2023 season, it's safe to say that the Habs have done pretty well with a very respectable record of five wins and five losses. As a comparison to last year, that's a marked improvement, with a 2-8 record, but as Fanadiens.com reports, head coach Martin St-Louis has a lot to do with his team's success.

But what also catches the eye is that he hasn't hesitated to leave out some veterans since the beginning of the season. We immediately think of Jonathan Drouin, Evgeny Dadonov and even Mike Hoffman who visited the press gallery during the team's visit to Minnesota Tuesday night.

The decision to not dress veterans commanding a big salary was praised by Tony Marinaro on TVA Sports and the tipster even called St. Louis' decision probably the most important of the season.

"Martin St. Louis made probably the most important decision of the season on Saturday night, removing Drouin and Dadonov from the lineup. There were questions about whether the young coach would have the courage to bench two veterans. Some coaches are reluctant to do it. Others will never do it.

Me, I like the fact that the CH can count on three healthy forwards who do not play. Hoffman, I wish him to look in the mirror. He was terrible on Saturday. If he doesn't score, he's not giving your club anything."



Between the three of them, since the beginning of the season, Drouin, Hoffman and Dadonov total one goal and three assists in 24 games. Let's just say it's starting to cost a lot of money from the point. And if we count the salary of the three veterans, we arrive at 15 million dollars.

It is true that it is still early in the season and so far, the Habs have been spared by injuries, but it is clear that the organization would like to have a better production from Hoffman, Drouin and Dadonov.

For now, if Kent Hughes is tempted to conclude a transaction involving one of the three, we should not expect to get much in return.

POLL
November 3   |   114 answers
Martin St-Louis has just made probably the most important decision of the season

Which of these three players will leave the CH first?

Mike Hoffman2017.5 %
Evgeny Dadonov7767.5 %
Jonathan Drouin1714.9 %
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