The Montreal Canadiens parted ways with Jonathan Kovacevic during the offseason due to concerns over the number of defensemen competing for spots on the main roster. Without making some roster moves, a few capable NHL defensemen would have been stuck playing in Laval, and Kovacevic, along with Jordan Harris, became the casualties. Kovacevic later joined former Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe with the New Jersey Devils, and their partnership has proven successful.
Kovacevic started the season strong with the Devils, which frustrated some Canadiens fans. Montreal, one of the league’s worst teams, had to watch Kovacevic thrive in New Jersey and earn a well-deserved long-term contract extension.
However, things began to shift as the Canadiens improved in the standings while the Devils stagnated, leading to Keefe’s frustrated remark on Saturday night. After the Devils’ loss, Kovacevic told reporters that the team needed a “playoff mindset” moving forward.
While it was a valid comment, as the Devils seemed to lack urgency, Keefe didn’t seem to appreciate it, possibly interpreting it as a critique of his coaching staff’s inability to prepare the players properly.
The comment was brought up to Keefe in his press conference, and he bluntly responded, “Kovacevic just needs to play better. That would help.” This was an unexpected remark from a coach who typically keeps things casual in press conferences.
- Sheldon Keefe
Whether due to the mounting pressure of a losing streak or feeling more liberated in New Jersey compared to Toronto, Keefe clearly felt this was a necessary comment. However, the reaction from fans and media suggested otherwise.
One of Kovacevic’s issues in Montreal was his inconsistency. While it’s not ideal for Keefe to make such public statements about a player, it does confirm the concerns Canadiens fans voiced during his time in Montreal. The drama surrounding Kovacevic in New Jersey is not ideal for a team fighting for a playoff spot, but for Canadiens fans, it’s a small consolation that the defenseman they traded away isn’t enjoying the same level of success as he did at the start.
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