Please, Canadiens, fire Marc Bergevin

Habs general manager Marc Bergevin has recently placed the blame for the Montreal Canadiens’ pathetic season at the feet of ‘poor attitude’. Maybe it’s time Marc Bergevin just admitted he’s not good at his job.

In an interview with TSN radio Tuesday, Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin stated that the team’s poor performance this year could be blamed on his players’ “poor attitude.” He went on to say:

"“The first thing I need to change is the attitude…And if it doesn’t work by changing it, maybe we’ll have to look in another direction. But at the end of the day, you can bring any players you want, but if the mindset of the team, if the attitude’s not good, we’re going to go in circles.”"

I can say with full confidence that it is Bergevin who is the problem here.

Regardless of what people may think of the team’s roster on paper, or their attitude, Bergevin’s outlook is nothing short of pathetic. He’s held his position with the Canadiens since 2012, and is the sole architect of this team. A leader doesn’t redirect blame and he doesn’t make excuses. By trying to divert responsibility for the team’s struggles, Bergevin has shown his complete ineptitude.

Questionable decisions

A look at his rundown of trades since he took over in 2012 leaves nothing to be desired. A pick here, a pick there…some depth players who may or may not make the team on any given year. While his flip of Tomas Plekanec this year can be considered a win, there aren’t many W’s to be passed around.

Bergevin shipped one of the best defensive prospects in hockey this past summer for a forward who had yet to prove he could carry a line at the NHL level.

Who will ever forgot the P.K. Subban for Shea Weber deal? While a cap recapture could severely crush the Nashville Predators in the future should Weber retire early, how does that help Montreal?

The Habs lost one of the best defensemen in hockey who is four years younger than the guy for whom he was acquired. The cap hit is extremely reasonable for what Subban brings to the table when you consider he’s only signed until he’s 32. Nashville doesn’t need to worry about any regression in his game. While times he may have been a defensive liability, he could completely drive the offense, which Montreal needed more of. The willingness to take risks put him under a microscope and unfairly highlighted his few mistakes, but the true all-around abilities were never appreciated.

Simply put, the Canadiens failed P.K. Subban, and Bergevin can take the blame for that.

The game has changed

The role of general manager has evolved over the last two decades. With the rise of the Internet, scouting reports on all prospects are available online. While they don’t contain the nuance that scouting departments will provide their teams, they’re a start. General manager’s roles must now be more concerned with not simply drafting the higher talents, but vetting players to ensure that their attitudes are cohesive.

It is now more than ever the responsibility of the GM to construct rosters with assets who work well together; not simply ones who may look better on paper. Anyone could do that. Constructing a roster that represents the kind of culture your organization wishes to represent is part of the job.

If this roster is bad because of poor trades, signings and drafting — it’s his fault. If it’s bad because of his players’ poor attitude and a losing culture — it’s his fault. Either way, Bergevin is what’s wrong in Montreal.

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It’s time ownership stepped in and did the right thing. Fire Marc Bergevin.