Marc Bergevin Finally Reveals How Things Ended with the Canadiens in Interview with Pierre LeBrun
In November 2021, Geoff Molson fired Marc Bergevin, Trevor Timmins, and Paul Wilson to start a new era for his organization.
Since then, the former GM has remained very discreet.
He is currently working for the Los Angeles Kings with his good friend Luc Robitaille and has not given any interviews since that infamous day.
That was until the renowned Pierre LeBrun pulled off a big coup by convincing the former NHL player and GM to grant him an interview.
Marc Bergevin's confessions about the Montreal Canadiens
In this column, we learn that long before his dismissal, Bergevin had told Geoff Molson that the 2021-2022 season would be his last at the helm of the club.
His contract was set to expire at the end of the season, and he wanted to move on.
"Geoff was very good, very fair. But I told him, Geoff, I'll finish my last year here and then I'll move on.»
He understood and was fine with it."
- Marc Bergevin
It is clear why, seeing the team's terrible start to the season, the team's president quickly began searching for a replacement.
He found one in Jeff Gorton and did not hesitate to hire him immediately, knowing that Bergevin was not coming back anyway.
And the rumor of a contract extension?
We remember that after the team' loss in the Stanley Cup Final, rumors emerged that Mr. Molson was negotiating with his GM to extend him.
At the time, the Canadiens were doing relatively well, and the future looked promising.
Bergevin not only confirmed this but also told LeBrun the reason why he declined the offer.
The pressure in Montreal was clearly becoming overwhelming for him. Taking a break, something he has been doing away from Quebec ever since, was a necessary step.
No bitterness
Three years after his departure, Bergevin seems to be doing better. He enjoys the anonymity he has in California and holds fond memories of his nine and a half years at the helm of the Canadiens.
On this subject, he says he harbors no bitterness toward Geoff Molson, for whom he has great respect. He also wishes the Gorton-Hughes duo good luck, as he knows how intense the pressure is in the city.
In the end, we can say that this separation was a necessary evil, both for the organization, which was able to restart from scratch, and for Bergevin, who was able to recharge.
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