Following the trade that saw Devante Smith-Pelly sent to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Stefan Mattheau, the former Habs forward couldn’t help but hold back tears.
Once he arrived in New Jersey, he was quick to dismiss the notion that there was any sort of rift in the Canadiens‘ locker room, specifically between captain Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban.
There were rumors of a rift in the Montreal dressing room between Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban.
“No, there’s nothing like that going on. Fans there and people from the outside are just looking for maybe a reason why that slumps was going on. That was one of the closest rooms I’ve ever been in. There’s nothing like that going on.”
I can’t say that I am part of the team, or privy to what goes on when the media isn’t in the locker room, but from my limited visits to the room in the last two seasons, I have to agree with Smith-Pelly, it is indeed a very close room. The players, despite having gone through one of the toughest stretches in team history, remain incredibly tight-knit.
As for his experience with Michel Therrien, Smith-Pelly remained tight lipped.
What is your impression of Canadiens coach Michel Therrien now?
“He’s the coach. I have nothing bad to say about him. I guess obviously he didn’t think I fit in there or whatever the case may be. But no hard feelings.”
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