written by Jonah sacks

November 4, 2025

The coaching techniques Martin St. Louis uses shouldn’t come as a surprise anymore. We’ve seen this before. Last season, it took about 20 games before Lane Hutson replaced Mike Matheson as the quarterback on the Canadiens’ top power-play unit. This year, it took nine games for Ivan Demidov to take Zachary Bolduc’s spot in that same role.

Both of these moves seemed like no-brainers to fans. Habs social media was flooded with comments for those “obvious” changes to happen sooner. But once again, St. Louis waited.

So, why does Marty take his time?

Playing for Martin St. Louis must be special. He’s a league-wide respected Hall of Famer who understands the pressures of performing in a big-market city like Montreal. But what truly sets him apart is the path he took to get here. St. Louis had to work harder than most for every single opportunity. Being much shorter than the average NHL player, he learned early that effort and discipline mattered just as much as raw talent.

He went from undrafted, to grinding in the AHL, to finally earning a fourth-line role in the NHL. From there, he climbed his way up, mastering each situation he was placed in until he became a first-line player and a power-play staple at the elite level. He learned to play away from the puck before being trusted to control it.

When you understand Marty’s journey, his coaching philosophy makes perfect sense. He doesn’t hand out opportunities just because fans think they’re deserved, he waits until players have truly earned them. If Hutson or Demidov had started their careers on the first power-play unit, maybe their mentality would have been, “If I’m already good enough to play top minutes, what’s left to improve?” Instead, by making them earn those spots, St. Louis ensured they’d be ready when the moment came; both mentally and physically.

It’s no coincidence that both Hutson and Demidov produced immediately once they got their PP1 roles. Sure, the skill is theirs, but the readiness, the consistency, the mindset, that comes from St. Louis. His patience isn’t hesitation; it’s preparation. We’ve even seen proof in practice clips showing him teaching these young players the small details that make the difference when the opportunity finally arrives.

Martin St. Louis is the perfect coach for this young Canadiens team. He’s lived every role they’re experiencing; from the AHL call-up, to the fourth liner, to the top-line star. He learned to master each step before moving on to the next, and he’s instilling that same mindset in his players. The consistent growth we’ve seen across this roster isn’t random, it’s a reflection of the culture he’s building.

Let’s not forget, St. Louis won the Art Ross Trophy at age 37. Improvement was never optional for him, it was his identity. And as long as he’s behind the bench, that same drive to always get better will define the Montreal Canadiens.