In a surprising turn of events, Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis called out several of his key players for failing to follow pre-game instructions before a recent clash with the Carolina Hurricanes. Among those publicly admonished were captain Nick Suzuki, rising stars Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafkovský, and newly signed Russian talent Ivan Demidov, alongside ten other teammates.
The incident reportedly occurred just before puck drop, with St. Louis expressing visible frustration behind the bench. Sources suggest the players deviated from the tactical plan outlined during team meetings, leading to a disjointed start and a sluggish first period against the Hurricanes. The team eventually settled into the game, but the coach’s post-match comments made it clear that discipline and accountability were lacking.
“It’s not about talent—it’s about commitment to the details,” St. Louis said during the press conference. “We prepare together, and we have to execute together. When that breaks down, we don’t give ourselves a chance to win.”
This isn’t the first time St. Louis has been vocal about high standards, but calling out star players like Suzuki and Slafkovský signals a new level of urgency in the Canadiens’ rebuild process. With expectations rising around the team’s young core, incidents like this raise questions about leadership and cohesion within the locker room.
Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how the team responds. With plenty of season ahead, the Canadiens have time to regroup, but as St. Louis made clear, unity and discipline must be non-negotiable if Montreal hopes to climb back into playoff contention.