Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
The Montreal Canadiens could soon take care of one of their biggest pieces of business this summer.
A contract extension for Martin St-Louis appears increasingly likely and imminent.
The head coach will enter next season in the final year of his deal. And very few coaches begin a season without an extension already in place.
Montreal Gazette journalist Stu Cowan believes a four-year agreement would make perfect sense.
The logic is simple. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes signed five-year extensions last year; a four-year deal for St-Louis would align all three contracts.
St-Louis’ track record gives him a strong case.
Since February 2022, the Canadiens have improved every season, going from 55 points to 106 last season.
That was followed by two straight playoff appearances.
Jeff Gorton has also described that steady progress as exceptional, something rarely seen in the NHL (yes, Martin St-Louis is in Montreal for the long haul).
Canadiens stability under Martin St-Louis makes an extension the logical next step
His longevity is impressive, too.
Without much fanfare, Martin St-Louis is now the fourth-longest-tenured head coach in the league, behind Jon Cooper, Jared Bednar and Rod Brind’Amour.
That kind of stability behind the bench is valuable.
In a league where coaches are replaced quickly, keeping yours sends a strong message to the locker room. Especially when St-Louis’ message is still clearly getting through to the players.
With results like these, it would be surprising to see management let this situation drag on.
An official announcement in the coming days is clearly the most logical and likely scenario.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
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Latest report makes the Canadiens’ plan for Martin St-Louis increasingly clear
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