The Montreal Canadiens have entered a challenging phase in their long-term rebuilding strategy. While improving the team’s performance is certainly crucial, that’s not the only concern at hand.
Just seven games into the 2024-25 season, discussions surrounding the Canadiens have turned increasingly frustrated. Optimism has rapidly shifted to hopelessness, which poses a significant threat to the organization.
It may seem easy to urge fans to remain patient, but for those who have invested their hard-earned money in tickets, waiting is not an option. As a team in the entertainment industry, the Canadiens are failing to deliver an engaging experience.
Many sports executives may dismiss the notion that fan sentiment can influence organizational change, yet this is a misconception. Fans undeniably drive every facet of the sports world, a reality evident in the frequency with which general managers are dismissed when support wanes. New general managers, much like Kent Hughes when he succeeded Marc Bergevin, understand the importance of connecting with the fanbase.
Hughes is now facing the limits of hope-selling—a challenge he anticipated from the outset. He acknowledged that the toughest period during the rebuild would come when the initial goodwill from fans faded. The excitement is gone, and fans are ready to board a metaphorical taxi to move on.
The honeymoon phase is certainly over.
The actions Hughes takes next will shape his legacy as the team’s general manager. While it’s unwise to cater to every fan request, it’s essential to acknowledge the growing criticism this season. Fans do not expect the team to win every game; losses are somewhat expected. However, they do rightly demand that players show genuine effort in every match.
The preseason was disorganized and largely ineffective for player evaluation, yet there was merit in the team’s attitude following Patrik Laine’s injury. Win or lose, the Canadiens demonstrated a commitment to fight hard, which is vital in any rebuild. Unfortunately, that sense of unity seems to have dissipated, leaving a group of players who appear just as frustrated with the team’s lack of progress as the fans are.
