Mister Mon Temps Beau

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Before placing all the blame on Samuel Mon Temps Beau, shouldn’t we ask ourselves some honest questions about the Canadiens’ defensemen?

Mike Matheson, who is paid four million eight hundred seventy-five thousand dollars;
Kaiden Guhle, who is paid five million five hundred thousand dollars;
Alexandre Carrier, who is paid three million seven hundred fifty thousand dollars;
Jayden Struble, who is paid one million four hundred twelve thousand five hundred dollars;
Lane Hutson, who is paid nine hundred fifty thousand dollars;
Noah Dobson, who is paid nine million five hundred thousand dollars;
Arber Xhekaj, who is paid one million four hundred twelve thousand five hundred dollars.

When we consider Samuel Mon Temps Beau, paid three million one hundred fifty thousand dollars thanks to a three-year contract extension signed in December two thousand twenty-three, which ties him to the Canadiens until the end of the two thousand twenty-six–two thousand twenty-seven season, can we really say that his presence is so costly within the Canadiens’ salary structure that we should not have the patience to help him stabilize?

More importantly, are we asking the right questions about our defensemen?

Regarding positioning and gap control:
Does each defenseman skate well enough to maintain a consistent gap without getting beaten straight on?

Regarding the “D-side” (defensive side):
Is the defenseman consistently positioned between the puck carrier and the net?

Regarding odd-man rush management:
On two-on-ones, does one defenseman stay deeper to prevent the wide drive?

Regarding puck retrieval:
Is the puck recovered quickly in the slot and in the corners?

Regarding shot blocking:
Do the defensemen block shots and sacrifice themselves for the team?

Regarding physical play and stick usage:
Does the defenseman use his stick to intercept passes and his body to steer the attacker to the outside?

Regarding zone exits:
Are the first passes accurate enough to avoid turnovers?

A good defense is defined by reliability, toughness, hockey intelligence, and the ability to force the opponent to the outside, away from dangerous areas. How does each of our defensemen truly measure up in this regard?

Before throwing stones at our goaltender, let us ask ourselves what our real chances are of making the playoffs and how far we can reasonably expect to go this year. Could we not afford to be patient for one season—even at the risk of missing the playoffs—in order to allow Fowler to develop in the American League, refine his game, and thus maximize our chances of building a solid and sustainable rebuild?

Samuel bears some responsibility, but so do the defensemen.
Let us be fair and equitable.

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Before placing all the blame on Samuel Mon Temps Beau, shouldn’t we ask ourselves some honest questions about the Canadiens’ defensemen? Mike Matheson, who is paid four million eight hundred seventy-five thousand dollars; Kaiden Guhle, who is paid five million five hundred thousand dollars; Alexandre Carrier, who is paid three million seven hundred fifty thousand dollars; Jayden Struble, who is paid one million four hundred twelve thousand five hundred dollars; Lane Hutson, who is paid nine hundred fifty thousand dollars; Noah Dobson, who is paid nine million five hundred thousand dollars; Arber Xhekaj, who is paid one million four hundred twelve thousand five hundred dollars. When we consider Samuel Mon Temps Beau, paid three million one hundred fifty thousand dollars thanks to a three-year contract extension signed in December two thousand twenty-three, which ties him to the Canadiens until the end of the two thousand twenty-six–two thousand twenty-seven season, can we really say that his presence is so costly within the Canadiens’ salary structure that we should not have the patience to help him stabilize? More importantly, are we asking the right questions about our defensemen? Regarding positioning and gap control: Does each defenseman skate well enough to maintain a consistent gap without getting beaten straight on? Regarding the “D-side” (defensive side): Is the defenseman consistently positioned between the puck carrier and the net? Regarding odd-man rush management: On two-on-ones, does one defenseman stay deeper to prevent the wide drive? Regarding puck retrieval: Is the puck recovered quickly in the slot and in the corners? Regarding shot blocking: Do the defensemen block shots and sacrifice themselves for the team? Regarding physical play and stick usage: Does the defenseman use his stick to intercept passes and his body to steer the attacker to the outside? Regarding zone exits: Are the first passes accurate enough to avoid turnovers? A good defense is defined by reliability, toughness, hockey intelligence, and the ability to force the opponent to the outside, away from dangerous areas. How does each of our defensemen truly measure up in this regard? Before throwing stones at our goaltender, let us ask ourselves what our real chances are of making the playoffs and how far we can reasonably expect to go this year. Could we not afford to be patient for one season—even at the risk of missing the playoffs—in order to allow Fowler to develop in the American League, refine his game, and thus maximize our chances of building a solid and sustainable rebuild? Samuel bears some responsibility, but so do the defensemen. Let us be fair and equitable.

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