Is Jeff Gorton about to receive the keys in Montreal?

Justin Cuthbert and Julian McKenzie break down what we know about the direction Geoff Molson is taking with the Montreal Canadiens' management team, and what that means for Marc Bergevin.

Video Transcript

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: We have big, big news. It's like going on right now. This might be dated within a second. But right now we should break down what's happening with the Habs, and I'm glad you are here to do just that.

It could be your busiest week of the entire year, Julien. Because I don't think Montreal is going to the postseason, but this is when the news is happening. Because we have a lot of movement within the front office, and it seems as though Jeff Gorton formerly of the New York Rangers in their expedited rebuild is going to be coming to Montreal to, you know, probably captain the ship. Let's be honest.

I mean, there's a lot of-- there's always a talk in Montreal about having a French speaking general manager. And that's probably still the mandate and will be the mandate. But that person who speaks both languages, and is front facing is going to be working for Jeff Gorton at least it seems.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: So there's a lot I really need to unpack for this topic here. And the way that you characterize, Jeff Gorton here as of now, we do not know what role it could be. It looks as if it could be a lot of people are-- are projecting that it could be president of hockey operations, which is a whole thing in itself. But the way that you presented Jeff Gorton basically speaks to this one theory that I have about this whole thing.

Whether or not the new GM, because at this point it feels like an open secret, but it looks very likely that Marc Bergevin will not be back with the Montreal Canadiens. And he'll be replaced by a French language, French speaking general manager. A lot of people have put out Mathieu Darche name out there. Martin Madden who works for the Anaheim Ducks and Quebec City native has also been trumpeted out there.

Also small side note, I don't know about you, but what I watch Saturday headlines and Jeff Merrick said that Patrick Roy had not been contacted by the Canadiens. I let out a good belly laugh, because as far as I'm concerned I don't think Patrick Roy is a genuine serious candidate at all. So I'm just going to take it with a grain of salt that Jeff Barack was actually trying to be funny on the segment, and not necessarily trying to be informative.

But the idea that I'm thinking is is that a lot of people in Montreal have-- have made it the thing where someone in that managerial position as GM has to be a French speaking person and it-- and it makes sense considering the market that you're in, considering the media that you're going to have to deal with, even the fans to that representation needs to be there. And I don't like the fact that it's a point of contention. I prefer to see it as-- as an asset. It's a should be great to learn more than one language. So to have that person they're fine.

But one thing I kind of fear in what's going on with if Jeff Gorton is supposed to be the guy above the new general manager is that people are just going to see it as like, oh, well Jeff Gorton's the guy running the show. Not the GM, not that guy, and someone else will even throw in the fact that, oh, well this is just a way for Geoff Molson the owner of the Montreal Canadiens to get out of, you know, we'll fine if I can't have a GM as just anybody let my president of hockey operations my Brendan Shanahan type be the guy who I need to be free of any type of any language restrictions or anything like that.

And I just wonder how that dynamic will play out in that market. It's a weird thing to kind of nitpick on, but that's-- the fact that you presented in that way just-- that just speaks to my point about the fact that I think a lot of people are just going to see Jeff Gorton as the guy running the show. And not the general manager as much, which to whoever is going to come in as the first time GM it might be a blessing. But I feel that there are other people who might see it as like this is a really interesting dynamic that Jeff Gorton is the guy being looked at here, and not the new guy.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: OK, so you said that the topic or the idea of having a president of hockey operations was a story unto itself. That's because Geoff Molson was and has been resistant to that idea. So is this only happening because faith has been lost-- lost in Marc Bergevin plus he's at the end of the road at least it seems anyway. And there isn't a suitable candidate to be the catchall for the Montreal Canadiens being A, someone that Molson trusts to make every decision for this team, but also to speak both languages and to do everything that the job entails. Is he just basically resigned to the fact, Geoff Molson that they need-- that they can't find exactly what they need, so creating this position finally, and something he didn't want to do before is the way that they're going to get around this?

JULIAN MCKENZIE: I'm willing to subscribe that it's at least part of the theory, but I'm also more enamored with the fact that Geoff Molson is just trying out this new managerial style. I'm going to read out a quote that he said when he was asked about the idea of even having a president of hockey operations I think about like three years ago. I have no intention to hire another president of hockey. There are very few teams across the NHL that do so. And there are a lot of reasons why.

Marc Bergevin is one of the most respected GMs in hockey. Is also now among the most experienced, and he will continue to report to me. He's very well surrounded by people with a lot of experience, including without naming everyone people like Scott Mellanby, Martin LaPoint, John Sedgwick. And I won't finish the rest of that quote.

But the point is is that Bergevin was in a situation where, yes he had a lot of hockey men around him who he could lean on for experience, but Geoff Molson was going to be that guy who's going to-- his direct report for Marc Bergevin. And I think especially in the way that Geoff Molson has kind of handled things in the last few months I'm not sure if Geoff Molson feels he wants to be that person anymore. One story that keeps being brought up around us Montreal media types is a media availability especially now with the Canadiens being in freefall mode as they've been, and that's pretty much been the case since the Logan Mailloux debacle as it was.

The same debacle where Geoff Molson decided to handpick members from the media not necessarily make it an open thing to everybody. He hand-picked people from select publications where publications-- other publications like Radio-Canada, the CBC, TSN 690, and Montreal Present were not in his press conference to talk about everything that unfolded. Another media availability that happened months later where it was more of a community thing where he went further out East in Quebec to unveil a community rink. They didn't even mention Geoff Molson in the presser, and all of a sudden he shows up there.

Those are two very specific things on top of the fact that people are calling for him to say, hey, what are you going to do with this team being as it is? Marc Bergevin, is he going to come back? It's a lot of questions being swirled, and I wonder if after as a result of everything that's gone on in the last few months Geoff Molson has finally realized, hey you know what maybe it works better for me to have a president of hockey operations who can feel that sort of stuff. As opposed to me being the guy in the spotlight or people calling for.

That's also another reason why I think that this position is being in there. Because this was something he had no interest in even filling how many years ago. Despite the fact that so many fans were crying for this, and now the Canadiens being in the position that they're in right now it feels a little bit more convenient for him to have that position.

So it's a combination, I think, of trying to get around some of the unofficial laws of the land when it comes to language restrictions, and all that. Restrictions in air quotes. But also this is a way for Geoff Molson to say, hey you know what maybe I don't need to be the guy the GM reports to have some other hockey person in that-- be in that position. And I guess if you want to go on the route that says this is a little bit convenient for Geoff Molson as well I'm not going to stop you from suggesting that.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: So another byproduct of this situation and Geoff Molson's decision to create a position, and likely move on from Marc Bergevin. Is that Scott Mellanby who has been with the organization since Bergevin came in, I believe it was 2012 decided to resign. I guess there was the recommendation that he should be the next GM or he should be promoted in the next regime, and clearly with the news about Gorton he didn't fit into the puzzle.

Now there is a couple of reasons for that. I guess Scott Mellanby does not speak adequate French. He was not a candidate, at least in Geoff Molson's eyes to run the show from a senior position or at least a senior position compared to the general manager.

But why doesn't he fit in this puzzle anymore? Do you think, and if he just started learning French I mean, maybe he does. But if-- when he came to Montreal in 2012 and took Rosetta Stone, and was fully, you know, what's the word. Fully--

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Indoctrinated.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: No, what's the word when you're-- fluent, fluent if he's fluent.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Fluent there we go.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: That's the double F messed me up there. If he was fluent he might be fluent. I'm not fluent, but if he is fluent in French. I'm not fluent in English. He's not fluent in English or if he was fluent in French would he be the guy?

JULIAN MCKENZIE: I have a question, do you know where Scott Mellanby was born?

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: I have no idea.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Montreal.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: So what's the problem then? He's got know some French.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: That's what I want to know. That's my biggest--

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: He's got to be able to--

JULIAN MCKENZIE: That's what-- I have been thinking about this for months.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: --answer questions in French. If you-- if you've worked in a-- I mean, they probably speak English all the time in management because there are people who don't speak French there. But if you-- you were born there you've worked there for the last decade. I feel like you could manage if you-- if you really wanted to too, and we don't know that.

I don't know what his talent is in-- in two-- in two different languages. But like it feels like if they really wanted him, and maybe that's just the crux of it. They just didn't want him to be the guy. But--

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Yeah, probably.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: --he should have been able to put himself in that position to be that guy, no?

JULIAN MCKENZIE: That's-- dude, this is what I've been thinking for pretty much since talk began about Marc Bergevin leaving the organization, and people started throwing out all these different candidates like Darche, Madden and all that even Patrick Roy. And I'm like but Scott Mellanby was born in Montreal, why can't he be the guy? And in talking to other people in the know as you brought up his French apparently is not adequate enough to be able to handle interviews.

But you also bring up a really good point. Look I'm-- I'm an angle of Montreal, and yes I went to French immersion school and all that. So my French is-- I think I could conduct myself if I was being interviewed for anything. Maybe I need a little bit more help, but I think I'd be able to do it. But like I find it so hard whatever you find people who live in Montreal, were born in Montreal, and you don't know a lick of French. You don't know look a French by accident.

You hear that story of that Air Canada CEO who was there in Montreal for like 20 years. He said I didn't learn any French, but I found a way to make it work. Like that doesn't make any sense. That's a whole other issue in itself.

But still the fact that-- I mean, it's probably the idea that Scott Mellanby just wasn't the guy that Canadiens wanted, and to that effect maybe you could even see it as if Scott Mellanby continues to work in the Canadiens organization. Maybe it's a continuation of the Bergevin regime, and maybe Geoff Molson just wanted to do away completely with that. And just start fresh with new candidates.

But also I'm-- I'm just as confused as some other people are. I wonder if this guy genuinely wanted this job, and did everything he could to learn the language, and be more comfortable in French. I still think he has to know some French especially if he was born in Montreal. But then again I don't know if he spent his entire childhood there. I don't know if he spent maybe five years of his life in Montreal then he moved or anything like that. I don't know.

But I definitely think if you live in Montreal, and especially if you work for the Montreal Canadiens. And you've been with the organization as long as you have like I don't think it hurts to pick up on some French. And if you think, hey you know what God forbid something happens to Marc Bergevin let me show up on my French so that way when the opportunity comes for me to get a job here if it happens I can be ready. That-- what-- what's saying like stay ready so you don't have to be ready. Like I just think that--

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Next man up. Next man up.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: That's it. That's-- that's just something I would just do. That is something I will do.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Learn the play book. Learn--

JULIAN MCKENZIE: That's it. It's just easy, but anyway.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: But like-- I feel like it is such a big thing here, because if he-- if he did not learn the language, and he wanted that job. And he was being groomed for that job, and he's just like nah I don't want to learn it. I'm not going to be fluent in French. It's never going to happen. Forget it take it or leave it. Then that's a mistake on his part.

But if he really tried he learned this language, and he was being groomed. And he was like all signs point to him getting the job, and then it's just like nah, we don't want you Gorton and we're going to get a French speaking guy. That's reason probably why he left in a huff the way he did.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: I have another question.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: He probably resigned because he was angry.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: I have another question. Marc Bergevin recommended Scott Mellanby, that's what Elliott Friedman said, right?

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Yeah, yeah.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: If Marc Bergevin who knows about the fact that you have to be French speaking to-- to work in the-- to be-- to work at a front facing position for the Montreal Canadiens. Like if he knows that, and recommended Scott Mellanby be surely his French can't be that bad. I mean, that's the--

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: You think.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Come on. It has to

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Make sense. Or Bergevin would just be like he is-- he would be great for the job, and it really doesn't matter. Like you--

JULIAN MCKENZIE: That's also-- that also--

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: You can get someone to help. You can get a translator, you can do whatever

JULIAN MCKENZIE: That's it too.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: I don't know.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: And I still think-- and I still think I don't think it's-- it shouldn't be above any of the Canadiens to say you know what get the best possible general manager for the job. And if you really care that much about having someone speak in French for media availabilities get it an AGM who can do that. Like I don't know. That's just how I feel.

I think the Canadiens in a situation with language. The fact that we're debating language in itself ultimately could very well be a moot point. But you could also make the argument that having language play a role in who the Canadiens hire could easily be a moot point. I again I think that it's great to have bilingualism as a skill, and for-- for, you know, I think for anyone who would be interested in the Montreal Canadiens position as a GM it would be in their best interest to learn the French language, so that way they're able to communicate.

Well, there's nothing wrong with-- with learning that language, but it is really interesting. It's really fascinating that when it comes to the Montreal Canadiens they are the only, and I'm not even going to say like this-- this deals for the Alouettes or even CFA Montreal to sort of say. They might be the only team in North American sports or language matters when it comes to who gets to be what, head coach, GM whatever. That they might be the only organization in North America that has this thing.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Here's the thing, OK, like, maybe that's not the best way to go about business because you are limiting yourself in some regard. But it's on you to find the talent that does fit the-- the class or category that you're choosing, and there is 100% chance there are multiple many hundreds even of French speaking hockey people who could run a successful organization. So, you know, this excuse that some people making the organizations is not making it, but some people make it for them. That there's just no candidates or the Julien BriseBois he's the one, and he's got a job in Tampa Bay. No, there are other people--

JULIAN MCKENZIE: He's the best speaking person out there.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: --you've got find them. What's that?

JULIAN MCKENZIE: He's the-- the most ironic thing--

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: He's the best. He's been proven, but there's got to be the next one. So go get him or her.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: The most ironic thing about all of this is that the best candidate to be GM of the Montreal Canadiens right now is a francophone guy, and he worked in the Canadiens organization.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: And he just--

JULIAN MCKENZIE: And they left him go.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: --beat you in the Stanley Cup Final.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: This is so funny. You see how funny this discussion is. That's all I just wanted to say.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: It's-- it's wild, but there is a candidate out there. And they pick Gorton apparently, but there is a smart hockey person that can be-- that can speak both languages, and be the front facing member of the managerial team. They just have to find that person, but it is Gorton for now we believe.

And I think there's reason to be like despite all this like maybe there's a negative tint to what we're talking about here or our outlook on the Montreal Canadiens. But this is probably a really good move. Jeff Gorton did a really nice job with the-- with the New York Rangers. He did some panelists work, which is not always a strong indicator, but very insightful what I heard from him. And I feel like this is obviously someone who's going to interview well, and has a track record of success from building-- tearing and building a team back up.

Now he wasn't given the chance to see the entire thing through with New York. But I think his recent resume is impressive, and has to give you confidence that they've made a good decision here. If it is indeed him that is making-- calling all the shots, and just not having to do media in two languages. I think Montreal has found a pretty worthy successor here for Marc Bergevin.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: I think that one other thing-- one other thing that a lot of people like to point out about Jeff Gorton as well as his work at the Boston Bruins. Getting guys like Brad Marcia, executing the Tuukka Rask, Andrew Regras trade, getting Phil Kessel as well. Like a lot of people are going so far back to point out the fact that he's the guy who essentially got a lot of those big pieces in Boston at where they are right now. Worked in--

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Yeah, worked in successful organizations for sure.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Absolutely. So, yeah, this is I think a lot of people, especially with the Canadiens where they seem to have an issue when it comes to developing talent properly. A lot of people will be very ecstatic at the idea that a guy like Jeff Gorton will work in the organization. And that's what really should matter above anything else, whether it's to directly replace Bergevin or to be the guy essentially calling the shots above that general manager position. So, yeah, I think getting Jeff Gorton who I'm still surprised the Rangers let him go the way that they did, but also James Dolan and impatience and working in New York, maybe is the biggest reason why.

But yeah, from what I've seen of Jeff Gorton, and I too have seen him do his stuff on media panels. I think he was with the NHL network during the draft if I'm mistaken-- if I'm not mistaken. He seems like a competent executive, and his track record shows that he has a nose for finding talent.

And I think once he starts-- if he starts doing that with the Montreal Canadiens if that ends up happening. Yeah, I think the Canadiens will definitely benefit from a guy like him working in the organization. He seems like he could be an ideal fit.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: So if he is brought on let's say tomorrow, Monday morning there's a press conference. Gorton unveiled as the new president of hockey operations. What does that mean for Bergevin in that here and now, and can they coexist if only temporarily while Bergeron runs out the-- Bergevin runs out the string on his current contract? Does Gorton's presence inside the organization, however, imminently it might be mean that the exit is shown to Bergevin before his contract winds up?

JULIAN MCKENZIE: OK, two points. One after all this language talk I would love nothing more if Jeff Gorton is announced as president of hockey operations to start off his introductory press conference in French. Whoever he talks to just get someone to--

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: He just shuts it down. He just shuts down the room. I'd be elated.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: [SPEAKING FRENCH] That's all you got to do. I'm a laugh my ass off at that. Number two, Jeff Gorton with regards to Marc Bergevin. I would be very surprised just personally if Jeff Gorton came in, and that meant nothing for Marc Bergevin in the interim. Like that would just serve as an opportunity for Jeff Gorton to be like, oh, you know what I'm just going to evaluate Marc Bergevin, and let this play out until the end of the year.

I think at this point, you might as well just cut ties. Just say thanks for everything these last nine years. Start the process of in finding your guy, or hey maybe in a really weird elaborate way, maybe that's what's been happening all this time. Maybe they did-- maybe-- maybe there was some recommendations for some other guys in the background, who knows? I don't know.

But I would be surprised if Jeff Gorton-- I guess it's not out of the ordinary if you decided to keep on Marc Bergevin would just, kind of, add some pressure. But I think just with everything kind of going on, and the fact that Bergevin would not-- has-- there's no deal in place right now, and the money might be a thing. I still think a question of a change of scenery for Bergevin could still be something he might want as well genuinely, but maybe money really is the biggest thing.

But I would be surprised if Jeff Gorton said you know what I'm just going to Marc Bergevin on for now. I think he would probably take the opportunity to hire somebody new. Like why have Bergevin on the final year of his contract if you're not going to keep him to run trade deadline, and everything pretty much up to the draft. Like it doesn't make any sense. I am curious if you'll go with Mathieu Darche or if you'll go with Matt Madden or if you'll go with somebody else.

And I understand that by the time we're doing this it's entirely possible they might make their decisions. Because it seems as if there are some admin decisions that could be made this weekend. But I think Jeff Gorton, my thinking is is that he's going to go in with a blank slate, and he's going to have the pick of the litter of what's out there for his managerial staff.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Yeah, I mean, if they do it right I don't-- I don't think they can co-exist, right? Like Bergevin is not going to be a mouthpiece in terms of, you know, it speaking to the media. But carrying out a new person-- the new boss's agenda. Like that just-- that can't happen. It's not going to work that way.

And he could execute trades on Gorton's behalf, you know, as we go down the stretch here, and the Habs start to sell off some of their talent. But I just don't feel like that's going to be the right way you'd want to start a new regime. I think like Mellanby, Bergevin would have to go if Gorton was reintroduced or introduced rather. And I feel like, yeah, you want that French speaking that's-- Like that's the whole point of all this is to have someone in that position who can communicate to both sides of the media.

But if they're going to do this properly, Gorton should come in, and he should take his time. And he should find the right candidate. He should be interviewing the candidates for the GM position who's going to work directly under him, and who's going to be the voice of the team in many respects while he does a lot of the work behind the scenes.

But who do I want making decisions for the rest of the year? Jeff Gorton. So let him make the decisions on player personnel until-- and make the decision on the GM. Until he can work with that GM in tandem in the future here. If they just rush to get--

JULIAN MCKENZIE: That's make sense.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: --two people that haven't even worked together, or haven't even spoken, haven't had the necessary conversations. Just presented them and said, hey, this person will answer in English, this person will be able to answer in French. Like that's just not the way to start things off. Get Gorton in there, get the previous regime out of there.

So you can make the decisions properly, and take it slow. Because you've got nothing but time as the second to last place team I believe in the Atlantic division right now. So just get him in the doors, and take it slow. That's probably the best way to go.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Yeah, it doesn't make sense to kind of just have two people kind of smack together. But it is going to be really interesting to see how that process goes if-- if Jeff Gorton again is introduced as president of hockey operations for the Montreal Canadiens because it is still an if at this moment in time as we're recording. But I am intrigued to see what candidates he might go with. There are the two big ones out there we've repeated their names over and over.

Just Patrick Roy, man people suggesting his name. We're not even going to entertain that. But like, yeah, I-- I feel as if like I don't want to say like I think I have a pretty good idea who I think it is. I think I have a pretty good guess as to who it's going to end up being, but--

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: You don't want to share.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: --I'd like Here's the thing I'm only saying it because of-- I'm not saying it, but like I feel like I don't know. I-- I have a pretty good guess I think. I mean, I think it's down to those two guys that we mentioned in terms of Darche or Madden, but I-- I think I-- I really think they're going to end up with Mathieu Darche. Here is why.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: There we go.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: I think they're gonna end up--

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: I thought it was going to be Darche. I thought it was going to be Darche.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: I think it's going to be Darche, man. If you can't-- I think of it like this. If you can't get Julien BriseBois, you might as well get the guy next to him who also won those cups too. Not to mention Mathieu Darche knows a thing or two about playing in Montreal, and playing in those expectations.

He was on that 2010 team for example, who-- that another miracle Montreal Canadiens team that made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, before falling to the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round. Like I-- that's what I think they'll end up doing. I think Martin Madden also makes a lot of sense considering the track record that he has in Anaheim, and he played a role in getting some of those young guys there.

Not to say that Mathieu Darche doesn't have his qualifications too. But I think the fact that if-- this is how I see it. If the Canadiens can't get the best actual guy to run a-- to run the franchise as a general manager, Julien BriseBois, why not get the next best thing in Mathieu Darche. Who seems like a competent guy, he went to McGill, so I guess that works.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Yeah, learning from BriseBois, who learned from Eisenman, who is considered one of the best in the game. I mean, that's the sort of lineage you probably want to poach from. And I feel like Darche and Gorton would work a lot better than Darche or sorry and Gorton and Patrick Roy. I think there's going to be a little bit of a power struggle with anyone or any team that decides to bring in old Patrick Roy. Let's--

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Can we just-- just last thing--

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Go ahead.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: --on Patrick Roy. Last thing I'll say about Patrick Roy. I have no doubt if Patrick Roy worked at any managerial position for the Montreal Canadiens it would be the most fun thing. Just--

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: It would be awesome.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: It would be hilarious.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: I want it to-- I would love it to happen. It would just be chaos.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: A lot of people want it.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: We need Patrick Roy in the league, because he just makes it-- like if he was just running the Arizona Coyotes harmless, fun. Like it'd be great. Instead we got a guy who's just executing a perfect tear down and being terrible. And you know enjoying what Scottsdale has to offer down there in Arizona while he does it.