After a stunning run to the Stanley Cup Final, the Montreal Canadiens held their exit meetings and end-of-season media availability on Friday.
The players will speak to the media via Zoom one at a time throughout the morning, followed by general manager Marc Bergevin and interim head coach Dominique Ducharme later this afternoon.
This article will be updated throughout the morning as more players speak to the media.
Eric Staal was the first player to talk to the media.
#Habs Staal on his (immediate) future: “Get home and be a dad and a husband. It’s been over half a year of being away from (my family),” adding the playoff run was memorable: “It was special to don the Habs colours.”
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) July 9, 2021
Being away from his family, Staal said that his wife was very important in this year as they have been apart since he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres.
“She is a rock” – Staal rend hommage à sa femme
— Marc-André Perreault (@MA_PerreaultTVA) July 9, 2021
#Habs Staal gives credit to his wife and kids for staying strong without him, admitting he and his family all had their “moments” being apart. This is an example of the mental adversity players endured in this bizarre season.
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) July 9, 2021
“There are bright days ahead for him, it was a treat to meet him.”
– Eric Staal on Nick Suzuki
— Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) July 9, 2021
Staal compared Canadiens forward Phillip Danault to his brother Jordan and had more good things to say about him.
#Habs Eric Staal: “you win with players like Phil Danault”
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) July 9, 2021
#Habs Staal said quarantining after arriving in Montréal, his back was “a little wonky.” Before playoffs he developed a left pectoral muscle strain that made it tough to take faceoffs. Missed Gm 3 vs TO due to a numb L hand related to a lingering neck issue.
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) July 9, 2021
Cayden Primeau was the next player to speak to the media.
Cayden Primeau says he’s felt ready for while.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) July 9, 2021
#Habs Primeau said being on the black aces during the playoff run helped him realize “how tough it was to be in that situation — all the hard work and commitment that went into it.”
On watching Price through the run: “He went into beastmode and it was something else.”
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) July 9, 2021
The next player to speak to the media was the second pending free-agent, Corey Perry.
#Habs Corey Perry says he intends to play hockey next year and would love to come back to Montreal.
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) July 9, 2021
Corey Perry says he intends to play next season and would like to return to Montreal to get the full Montreal experience.
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) July 9, 2021
“There’s definitely a bright future in Montreal and hopefully I’m a part of that.” – Corey Perry
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) July 9, 2021
“He’s going to be a tremendous player in this league for a long time. He’s going to score a lot of goals.”–Corey Perry on Cole Caufield.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) July 9, 2021
“He’s a head coach” – Corey Perry on Dominique Ducharme
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) July 9, 2021
“It’s hard… It’s not an easy situation. It came to a screeching halt pretty quick. To be so close and only a couple of games away… It’s hard” – Corey Perry on the emotions he and the team are facing.
Perry sounded like he was choked up throughout his interview.
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) July 9, 2021
#Habs Perry getting emotional talking about playing for a Canadian team to complete his lifetime hockey experience: “This is the team I grew up cheering for. It’s blown everything out of the water. It’s been a lot of fun.”
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) July 9, 2021
Jake Allen was the next person to speak to the media.
#Habs Allen echoed Perry’s eagerness to play in Montreal in a “normal” season: “For me, having the real Montreal experience — having a full building on a Saturday night — that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) July 9, 2021
Jake Allen says he’s aware of the possibility of being taken in the expansion draft, but he signed his two-year contract extension with the intent of playing in Montreal and hopes that will be the case.
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) July 9, 2021
#Habs Allen says his and Price’s common interests of hunting, fishing and country music helped them bond, but they weren’t able to enjoy them together because of the pandemic. Allen says, “I hope we can experience those real life events (together).”
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) July 9, 2021
#Habs Jake Allen on backing up Carey Price: “he is one of the best goalies in the world and has been and always will be in my eyes but at the same time you do need your rest and that’s my job.”
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) July 9, 2021
Jeff Petry was next to talk.
“I had to tape my fingers together so it was harder to grip the stick… It was an adjustment to see what worked and what didn’t work. I’m hoping that we avoided surgery” but says that he has a follow up appointment soon.
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) July 9, 2021
“I feel like he brought the best out of each guy…Did a great job with our group.”–Petry on Ducharme.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) July 9, 2021
“Just the pinky finger went into the glass, turned sifeways, and that was it. The eyes were because of when they were setting my finger back into place to put the cast on, I basically passed out and popped all the blood vessels in my eyes.” – Jeff Petry
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) July 9, 2021
Phillip Danault talked next.
#Habs pending UFA Phillip Danault says he’s been so dialed in with the playoffs that he hasn’t even spoken to his agent about his future.
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) July 9, 2021
“Yeah, I think it affected me,” #Habs Phillip Danault says about his turning down a contract offer being leaked to media this season. #HabsIO
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) July 9, 2021
#Habs Phillip Danault says the leaked news that he turned down a contract offer earlier in the season affected him mentally because he wasn’t playing his best at the time but dealing with that helped him become mentally stronger to elevate his game in the playoffs.
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) July 9, 2021
“I did get some offers for some pizza deals, but it wasn’t the time during the playoffs. I’m open now, though.” – Phillip Danault.
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) July 9, 2021
#Habs Danault admits stalled contract talks were related to his perception of his usage: “I was scared (Suzuki) and (Kotkaniemi) would take more minutes but if you see around the league you need two-way centres… I found my game. I know what I am and I know what I can give.”
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) July 9, 2021
Next up was Tyler Toffoli.
#Habs Tyler Toffoli doesn’t want to use his groin injury as an excuse for not producing in the #StanleyCup Final
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) July 9, 2021
Tyler Toffoli won’t get into details on his injury.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) July 9, 2021
“It was just frustrating overall,” #Habs Tyler Toffoli says about having to play through a groin injury in Cup final, adding it’s no excuse for his performance. #HabsIO
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) July 9, 2021
Josh Anderson was next.
