Montreal Canadiens Players Appear on Tout le monde en parle
On a day when the Montreal Canadiens took a break from their busy schedule, four of their players who will be representing various nations at the upcoming Olympics made a notable appearance on Quebec’s well-regarded talk show, Tout le monde en parle. The segment featured Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki, Alexandre Texier, and Oliver Kapanen, all of whom discussed their Olympic experiences for about 15 minutes with host Guy A. Lepage.
Olympic Experiences and NHL Rivalries
During the interview, the athletes addressed a range of topics, including their thoughts on competing against each other in the Olympic arena. Suzuki conveyed that they are accustomed to facing friends and former teammates in the NHL, indicating that the Olympics wouldn’t feel much different. This sentiment lightened the mood as the players humorously navigated questions regarding their preferences between winning a Stanley Cup or an Olympic gold. Texier elicited laughter when he self-deprecatingly remarked that the Cup seemed like a more feasible goal, given his position on the French national team, yet all ultimately indicated that lifting the Cup would be their dream.
Rookie Performances and Language Skills
The conversation flowed to Kapanen’s performance as a rookie, where he mentioned that despite leading all first-year players in goal-scoring, winning the Calder Trophy isn’t on his mind, and he commended his teammate Ivan Demidov for being a standout player. This comment sparked a slight awkwardness given that Kapanen isn’t typically recognized in discussions surrounding the Calder, showcasing the unusual nature of some questions during the interview.
Suzuki’s response to a question about his French language skills also drew attention. When asked what French phrases he knew, Suzuki’s answer included only his name and how to inquire about someone’s wellbeing, which seemed lackluster considering he had recently conducted his inaugural French interview with TVA Sports. While it is not critical for the Canadiens’ captain to be fluent in French, this exchange felt somewhat underwhelming.
Controversial Topics and Team Culture
The host also probed the players on their familiarity with the show Heated Rivalry, which portrays a controversial storyline between two hockey athletes. The players hesitated momentarily, sharing glances before Suzuki replied that they had heard of the series, acknowledging its ability to attract new fans to hockey. In a poignant moment, when Texier was asked about the perception of homosexuality in the sport, he declared that it was no longer a taboo, affirming that any player who chose to come out would be embraced by the team. However, the lingering silence before answering raises concerns about the acceptance within the NHL culture regarding such topics.
Looking Ahead
As the Canadiens continue their season, these four Olympians still have five more games to play, including matchups against notable teams such as the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche, before they prepare to chase Olympic glory. To keep up with developments surrounding the Canadiens, fans can follow The Hockey News and participate in community discussions.
