*Warning: This is mainly an excuse to talk about field hockey. You can also use this text to inform yourself… and to plug 2-3 cases to your colleagues this week.
The Montreal Canadiens were three games away from a Cup. The closest since… since the last one in 1993, in fact.
Then Carey Price gets injured. Career over. Being a goalie is hard on the knees. I know all about that.
And Shea Weber… also injured. Career over.
And then… the team empties out. Bye bye Phillip Danault and his pizza press conferences.
Bye bye Jesperi Kotkaniemi (no great loss).
Bye bye Tomas Tatar, the veteran.
Bye bye Corey Perry, the troublemaker.
The CH rebuild.
And that’s where the comparison with the working world begins. In a buyout, one of the first things to change is management. Okay, you can keep some people in place, but there’s at least one new boss.
So, Jeff Gorton was named executive vice-president of field hockey operations, Kent Hughes was hired as the new general manager, and Martin St-Louis was named head coach.
That’s when the rebuilding begins.
But restructuring… how long does it take? Well, years, folks.
And it’s the same for our companies and startups.
Sure, winning the Cup is everyone’s goal, but to get there, you need a strategy… and patience.
From 2021 to 2025
The aim wasn’t to be 1st. The objective was to understand who we have as players. Who we can count on and who we can change. Suzuki. Good. Caufield Good. Young potential. Gallagher? He’s slowed down but… It takes a bit of leadership and emotion for young people. Ah a goalie. We need a Goaler who will survive years of misery.
Corporate culture
When you don’t win for several years, a harmful culture eventually takes hold of the team. That’s why management talks so much about culture. It’s all about development, empowerment and learning.
Basically… you need patience.
A good part of the team has just reached the legal drinking age when they play in the United States.
We’re going to lose. We’re going to make mistakes. But we’re going to learn.
These thoughts should also apply to a company – especially if it’s under construction or in transition.
The risks
Well, in the short term, we know we won’t make the playoffs and won’t be competitive.
So what about the long term?
In the field hockey context, that means trading players with current talent for other players or draft picks – prospects who could become better in the future.
Yes, it’s a game of “risk/reward”, but when executed well… well, it’s a strategy that can work.
Here are a few of the latest Canadian risks in recent years:
Lane Hudson – He who beats statistics
He broke many records for a rookie this year. He even surpassed the marks set by Chris Chelios and Raymond Bourque. Those aren’t small names! And yet, it was a risk – he’s small… one of the smallest in the league, in fact. He was selected 62nd in his draft… and today, he’s number one.
Juraj Slafkovsky – Complementarity > Individual talent
The 2022 first-round pick was also a risk. That year, Shane Wright was the favorite. And what a drama it was when he wasn’t selected! Today, the winger has the most points of his vintage, but more importantly… He’s starting to play physical. He creates space for Suzuki and Caufield. There’s a great synergy between these three.
Patrik Laine – The return of a burnout
This summer, the Canadiens picked up a very talented player who had just come out of the Player Assistance Program. He, too, was undergoing a rebuilding process… but a personal one. He had to learn to love field hockey again. Well, it was a good comeback. Lots of power-play goals. It adds depth to the team.
And depth is when your 4 trios are good… but each in their own way 😉
Ivan Demidov – Politics
A Russian, in a difficult socio-political context.
Even in Russia, he was breaking records in the KHL, but… would he ever be able to cross the ocean and play here?
Well… it’s done. And already, we understand the risk. He’s already well loved… but calm down, kids! He’s only played two games.
A career is a long time…
But I’m just as pissed off!
The support
Brendan Gallagher – Lead from the heart
Injured and/or idle since 2021. And yet, they’re still here. But why? Back to culture again. Gallagher, also known as the little warrior, is having his best season since 2019-2020.
He’s the team’s experienced leader. He’s the perfect example of a guy with his heart in his work.
Sam Montanbault – Like a P.O.
The most patient goalkeeper there is. First of all, being a goalkeeper is a thankless job. A bit like Project Owner, in fact. If you win, it’s thanks to the players. If you lose, it’s your fault. Well, it’s more complicated than that… but that’s how it often looks.
Josh Anderson – The colleague you can’t live without
After a difficult year, he started to play better again. He was even selected to represent the team in a nomination for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy – an honor given annually to an NHL player who exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to his sport.
Because it’s not just the points that count in the game.
The basis of strategy
And we’re back to Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. The basis of the strategy. Those who, four years ago, had shown potential. It was around these two that the choices were made. To help them grow… and to enable them, in turn, to nurture the others.
This year, Caufield scored 37 goals – the last time someone reached that plateau was Pacioretty, ten years ago.
And Suzuki collected 89 points – the last time a CH player did that was Pierre Turgeon, in 1996, with 96 points.
Strategy is long-term
We’re in the fourth year of the Montreal Canadiens’ reconstruction. The goal was still not to win the Stanley Cup, but to be part of the mix. Or, for those of you who don’t know much about field hockey but have stuck with it so far… let’s say: to be in the playoff hunt.
And that’s what it’s all about this year.
When are we going to get that Stanley Cup in Montreal?
That’s impossible to predict. As I said at the beginning of the article, consider this: the Habs – the second-youngest team in the league – are now competitive.
Suzuki : 25. Caufield : 24. Hudson : 21. Slafkovský : 21. Demidov : 19.
And that… is frightening for the other teams.
Because it’s LinkedIn
This reconstruction is a bit like the takeover.
Or at least, it involves many of the same mechanisms we observe… and advise our customers to consider.
How do you want the people on your team to behave?
What should your culture be?
Be patient. A culture is something you live with… and it takes years to change.
Who are we going to build around?
How will people complement each other?
Who will have the most thankless roles?
And how are we going to balance the vigour and energy of the young with the experience of the veterans?
And finally, what metrics will we use to monitor this transformation?
Points from 2-3 players aren’t enough.
You also have to win as a team.
On that note… happy series fever!
