Martin St. Louis sends a clear message to one of its veterans before the trade deadline
Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Martin St. Louis turned the spotlight back on Josh Anderson, and the Montreal Canadiens have no time for passengers with the trade deadline closing in.
St-Louis didn't bury him publicly. He basically reminded everyone what Anderson can be when he plays with purpose.
The coach's point was simple, Anderson's speed and power can tilt the ice. It forces defenders to rush plays and toss pucks away early.
That kind of chaos is valuable, especially for a team trying to stay competitive while still building. The problem is Montreal needs more than chaos.
Anderson's offense has been a frustrating watch for stretches, and the numbers tell it. He's sitting at 12-8-20 through 51 games.
His minutes are still there, about 14:24 a night, so this isn't a total doghouse situation. It's more like a warning light.
The Canadiens can live with a power forward who finishes checks and wins races. They can't live with neutral-zone giveaways and empty possessions.
That's why this feels like a message, not a compliment. The tools are real, now the execution has to match.
Josh Anderson and Montreal Canadiens need a real answer
Habs fans have heard the «he brings energy» line for years, and right now the mood is more impatient than sympathetic.
St-Louis also knows Montreal's room can't run on kids alone. Veterans set habits, even in a rebuild.
With the March 6 trade deadline days away, every game turns into an audition, whether the player wants it or not.
Anderson isn't just fighting for points. He's fighting to look like a player who can help you win a tight game in April.
When he drives wide, gets inside, and stays on the puck, he looks like a top-six problem. When he drifts, he looks like a cap hit you regret.
St-Louis is betting that the next gear is still in there. The Canadiens need him to find it before the next milestone arrives.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 28|61 ANSWERS Martin St. Louis sends a clear message to one of its veterans before the trade deadline Should Josh Anderson respond with a bigger offensive push before the trade deadline? | ||
| Yes | 53 | 86.9 % |
| No | 8 | 13.1 % |
| List of polls | ||