'This organization needs a fresh start': Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson on firing GM Marc Bergevin
Calling it a "fresh start," Montreal Canadiens owner, president and CEO Geoff Molson said Monday he will hire two people to replace the general manager he fired Sunday with a focus on diversity.
Molson addressed the media after "relieving" Marc Bergevin of his GM duties along with assistant GM Trevor Timmins and senior VP of public affairs and communications Paul Wilson.
"I strongly believe that this organization needs a fresh start," said Molson, adding that the organization has made 45 draft picks in the past five years and 11 more are coming.
"It is essential that we structure our organization around properly developing this group of talent," he said.
The quest for a new GM begins now, Molson said, adding that the new GM will need to be bilingual and part of the team's diversity plan.
"From the hockey side, there is quite a big opportunity to intruduce different perspectives into the organization, and that will just make us stronger," said Molson.
In fact, there will be two positions replacing Bergevin's post.
Former New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton will serve as executive vice president of hockey operations as the team searches for a new general manager to work alongside him.
"It's a lot for one person, and if I could back up a few years and know what I know today, I would have complimented him (Bergevin) with another person," said Molson. "It's that big a job in this market."
Molson said Gorton has signed a long-term contract, and that Molson's role as Canadiens president will not change.
Bergevin was fired the day after assistant GM Scott Mellanby resigned in the middle of the Canadiens' game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Bergevin served for a decade as Habs GM, highlighted by a trip to the Stanley Cup finals last season.
In 10 seasons, the Habs went 344-265-81 (18th best in the NHL). The Canadiens won three division titles, and made the playoffs six times.
This year, however, Montreal has just 14 points after 23 games, the fewest in franchise history. The team also has a minus-29 goal difference, better than only the Arizona Coyotes.
Molson said Monday that the start to the season has been "unacceptable."
The team is fourth from the bottom of the league tied with fellow struggling Canadian franchise from the west coast - the Vancouver Canucks. Both teams have won just six games in regulation this season.
The two teams face each other Monday night at the Bell Centre in a battle of the basement dwellers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.