Montreal Canadiens’ Jeff Gorton Is Here to Stay as First Block of the Rebuild announced
When Marc Bergevin was dismissed, owner Geoff Molson decided to restructure the team, ensuring no single individual would wield excessive power. During Bergevin’s tenure, several questionable decisions went unchallenged due to the lack of a broader decision-making process, such as advising alumni players to avoid current players (from ‘Serge Savard happy to feel like part of Canadiens’ family again,’ The Gazette, March 24, 2023). The Montreal Canadiens have a storied history, and former players possess valuable experience in handling media and performing under intense scrutiny.
Molson initiated this restructuring by hiring Jeff Gorton as the vice president of hockey operations, emphasizing that Gorton would collaborate with a general manager to be appointed later. This move marked the beginning of a comprehensive overhaul of the Canadiens’ hockey operations. Kent Hughes was subsequently hired as GM, Chantal Machabée as the vice president of hockey communication, and eventually, Dominique Ducharme was replaced by Martin St. Louis as head coach.
Gorton, the First Block of the Rebuild
When he explained his decision to hire Jeff Gorton and have dual accountability for hockey performance, Geoff Molson was visibly excited about the move. He highlighted Gorton’s extensive experience and noted the success of the New York Rangers under his tenure as evidence of his capabilities. Upon joining, Gorton outlined the necessary steps to reshape the Canadiens, emphasizing the importance of player development and enhanced use of analytics.
Montreal Canadiens’ Jeff Gorton Is Here to Stay https://t.co/Nrqljti6d9#THW #HockeyTwitter
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) May 17, 2024
Since then, the rebuild has gained significant momentum. Adam Nicholas was appointed as the director of hockey development, focusing on skill enhancement for various players. Additionally, a new analytics department was established, contributing to visible progress across all levels of the organization. Before the season began, Hughes and Gorton avoided discussing playoff prospects, emphasizing “progression” as their primary goal.
Though the specific boundaries of Gorton’s and Hughes’ responsibilities remain somewhat ambiguous, their press conferences reveal a seamless partnership. They function as a well-coordinated team, with Gorton explaining in his first press conference that his role involved being a resource for the GM, offering his experience while still allowing the GM the authority to make decisions.
Interest from the Columbus Blue Jackets
Today, Sportsnet’s Eric Engel reported that Elliotte Friedman mentioned on the 32 Thoughts podcast that the Montreal Canadiens do not want the Columbus Blue Jackets to discuss their GM vacancy with Jeff Gorton. Considering how crucial the two-man structure is to Geoff Molson, this stance is unsurprising. You can hear Friedman’s comments around the 39th minute of the podcast.
At the end of the season, during the Gorton-Hughes press conference, Gorton was asked about his future, and his response was unequivocal:
“It’s just gossip stuff, really. I’m here, I’m happy, I love Montreal, I love this organization. Geoff Molson has been unbelievable to us…we’re happy. Winning the Stanley Cup in Montreal is all I think about,” Gorton stated during the press conference, around the 36-minute mark.
“He would never say, ‘Please get me out of here. I hate it!’, but he seemed very genuine when he said it. Gorton seems to enjoy rebuilding teams, and why should he leave his latest project before it’s completed? He was forced to leave the Rangers before finishing his work there, and it’s unlikely he wants to leave unfinished business behind in Montreal. He must be following his former team’s progress in the playoffs and wondering what could have been if he hadn’t been fired.
While it’s understandable that the Blue Jackets would consider Gorton, given his impressive track record and his previous collaboration with John Davidson in New York, they will need to look elsewhere for their new GM. The Canadiens are determined to keep Gorton, a key figure in their rebuilding efforts.”