Montreal Canadiens clear their lockers, Bergevin, Molson, Therrien to comments on season
'As a fan, I find that the results of our team were disappointing,' Geoff Molson says
The Habs are clearing out their lockers today after a brutal season which saw them eliminated from playoff contention after a loss to the New York Rangers March 26.
- Montreal Canadiens' 2015-2016 season: What went wrong?
- Montreal Canadiens poised to reach peak sadness this season
- Habs fan sells tickets, includes 'bags of shame'
Marc Bergevin, general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, will join head coach Michel Therrien and Habs co-owner Geoff Molson to deliver final remarks about the season in a news conference scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET.
Geoff Molson on 'tough year'
Molson released a statement at noon where he promised to leave no stone unturned as they work to improve the team.
"As a fan, I find that the results of our team were disappointing," Molson said. "There are likely many reasons that explain what happened, but I am not interested in excuses. I am interested in making our team better."
Molson promised that in the aftermath of this disappointing season they would apply long term vision to managing their comeback.
"This year we hit a bump in the road. I see this as an opportunity to become stronger, better, and more prepared for the future," Molson added.
The P.K. and Pacioretty hug
To prove there is no rift in the Montreal Canadiens dressing room, P.K. Subban broke into Max Pacioretty's media scrum and gave the team captain a big hug. Pacioretty cracked an uncomfortable-looking smile, but didn't hug back.
It was among the lighter moments on Monday as the Canadiens met with the media before dispersing for the off-season after a disappointing 38-38-6 campaign.
"What do you want me to say? P.K. Subban came to my wedding. I think you guys are looking way too far into this," Pacioretty said.
Players comment on the season
The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Habs?src=hash">#Habs</a> make their final comments, looking back at a season they probably want to forget. <a href="https://t.co/fHnvJTJVx5">https://t.co/fHnvJTJVx5</a><a href="https://t.co/tsrVzU8zxn">https://t.co/tsrVzU8zxn</a>
—@CBCMontrealMax Pacioretty and David Desharnais both mentioned the level of experience they are working with in the young team. Pacioretty added that he missed Manny Malhotra, who has been a free agent since 2015.
Desharnais said "you can't buy experience."
"We're a young group, so there will be situations where there's some panic. You can't buy experience" Desharnais <a href="https://t.co/ffTenmYO6b">pic.twitter.com/ffTenmYO6b</a>
—@CanadiensMTLCaptain Max Pacioretty reflected on his post-game comments:
"You want to say the right things to the media. But you also have to say the truth."- Pacioretty <a href="https://t.co/TzBeqXryA0">pic.twitter.com/TzBeqXryA0</a>
—@CanadiensMTLAlex Galchenyuk looked to the future:
"We want to move on from this year. The most important thing is to learn and come back stronger." - <a href="https://twitter.com/AGally94">@AGally94</a> <a href="https://t.co/sE7VzTqjkX">pic.twitter.com/sE7VzTqjkX</a>
—@CanadiensMTLBrendan Gallagher brushed off any rumours surrounding trade talk and P.K. Subban:
Gallagher: "We know Subban is an important part of the team and we have to block out outside noise." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/habs?src=hash">#habs</a> <a href="https://t.co/RVZm8PVgTc">pic.twitter.com/RVZm8PVgTc</a>
—@AndieCBCP.K. Subban swore there was no rift with Pacioretty:
Subban on Pacioretty "Do I have to go over there and make out with him to prove we get along?" Then goes over and hugs Pacioretty.
—@AndieCBCAfter being mathematically eliminated in March, the Habs went on to play six more games. The team won its final match of the season April 9 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
with files from the Canadian Press