Montreal Canadiens executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton spoke to the media on Friday morning for the first time since he was hired on Sunday.
Gorton had the chance to see both the Laval Rocket and Canadiens play over the last two days since getting into the city. The Rocket lost 4-3 in overtime to the Texas Stars while the Canadiens lost to the Colorado Avalanche 4-1. Laval faces Texas again at Place Bell on Friday night.
He met with both Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme and Laval Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle as well. The general manager search will likely start imminently and they will have to make some decisions regarding the playing personnel and the coaching staff. They will also need to replace Trevor Timmins. Currently Martin Lapointe had the title of head of amateur scouting added to his title. It is likely an interim measure pending a new general manager.
This article will continue to be updated through the morning.
Jeff Gorton: “Working for the Montreal Canadiens is a dream for anyone working in hockey.”
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 3, 2021
Jeff Gorton begins press conference in French. Valiant effort. “Hope that was okay”. Nice touch.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 3, 2021
#Habs Jeff Gorton begins his opening statement en français – asks everyone to be patient with his French as he’s learning
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 3, 2021
#Habs Jeff Gorton on why he took this job: “first of all, it’s the Montreal #Canadiens, it’s an Original Six…it excites me” – says after talking with Geoff Molson, it seemed like a good fit for him.
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 3, 2021
“The team had a tough start, I recognize that and Geoff (Molson) and I went through that. Things need to happen. My teams are fast and skilled. We need to work on player development. We need to add analytics.”
– Jeff Gorton— Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) December 3, 2021
#Habs Gorton said he plans to implement an analytics department: “We need to build that out better. We need to modernize it. I believe in it.” @TSN_Edge
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) December 3, 2021
#Habs Jeff Gorton’s first few priorities include:
– being around the team to better understand the players and coaching staff
– would also like to spend time with the support staff (scouting)
– hire a GM
– modernize the #Canadiens analytics department— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 3, 2021
Jeff Gorton on Patrick Roy: “I have a tremendous amount of respect for him for what he’s done in hockey, and I know he’s an emotional guy who speaks his mind… We’ll look at everyone.”
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) December 3, 2021
#Habs Jeff Gorton says the next GM might be someone outside of the box who compliments his own skillset well
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 3, 2021
#Habs Gorton grew up a Bruins fan: “Being from Boston the Canadiens broke my heart a lot of times.” Gorton said the too many men incident from 1979 playoffs sparked his first memory of “things being thrown in my house.”
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) December 3, 2021
#Habs Jeff Gorton on the #Canadiens jersey thrown on the ice last night: “you never want to see that happen” – says actions like that from the fans aren’t going to help the situation
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 3, 2021
#Habs Jeff Gorton says he has not made a list of people who he’ll talk to for the vacant GM position yet
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 3, 2021
#Habs Jeff Gorton says his contract is a “multi-year deal” – doesn’t specify exactly how many years
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 3, 2021
Gorton says Canadiens will be transparent about a rebuild if that’s the road they ended up going down.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) December 3, 2021
#Habs Jeff Gorton: “I think as we move forward, we’re going to have to look at everything” – which includes looking at players under contract with the team long-term
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 3, 2021
On learning French: “I’ll do my best, that’s my pledge to you. 30 years ago I picked up golf and I still stink at it.”–Jeff Gorton.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) December 3, 2021
#Habs Gorton‘s timeline for priorities:
1. GM — after Christmas
2. Head scout — TBDIs the head coach safe until the end of the season: “Yes.”@TSN_Edge
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) December 3, 2021
