Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin: ‘The last 16 months were tough on me’
Like many of us, Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin is burnt out.
At least, that’s what a source told Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who wrote the following in his latest 31 Thoughts column:
During his end-of-season media availability on Friday, Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin said, “I have one more year under contract, and I will honour that.” He added the last 16 months were “tough on me. Mentally, it was very difficult.” Prior to the end of the regular season, there was plenty of reason to believe owner Geoff Molson was firmly in Bergevin’s corner and had offered the GM an extension. But one source warned to be careful. He said Bergevin was burnt out and may not want to return.
At the very least, today’s comments are some confirmation of that. Staying another season gives everyone time to breathe, but it’s not like the white-hot spotlight of Montreal is going to decrease. I do wonder if Bergevin and Molson discuss a new front office structure, where Bergevin moves up to a President of Hockey Operations-type role and either Scott Mellanby or Martin Lapointe becomes GM.
Bergevin has served as the Canadiens’ general manager since the 2012-13 season, and helped them become the first Canadian team since 2011 to make the Stanley Cup Final.
Additionally, Friedman noted that it is expected that the Canadiens will get interim head coach Dominique Ducharme locked up, and that “no one will be stunned” to see Alex Burrows coaching the AHL Laval Rocket.