Would you have taken Justine Poirier before Celine Dion?

At least once a week, I argue with my uncle who never misses an opportunity to belittle the Canadians, because they don't have enough Quebecers.

He keeps reminding me, “If the Nordic countries were there, it would be different.”

I'm more defensive of the Canadian in this chicanery.

I explain to my uncle that for many supporters, the important thing from now on is for the CH party to win, whether with Quebecers, Albertans or Italians.

I told my uncle that this year, CH had the most Quebec players in the league (4). The Rocket had 11.

I explain to him that in 2021-22, the Canadians sent eight Quebecers. It was almost a record. But it was another record. That was the year the Canadians suffered the most defeats in their history.

But my uncle doesn't care. He still finds it unacceptable for the CH party to turn its nose up at a Quebecer who shines elsewhere.

Poirier must be angry.

I knew last week's project would give my uncle a lot of gas. He was waiting for me at the corner, and pointed out that CH hadn't recruited any Quebecers.

On May 2, I wrote a column explaining that if Justin Poirier makes it in the NHL, everything about the draft will have to be questioned. Poirier emulated Sidney Crosby, Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy and others, scoring 50-plus goals at age 17. It’s crazy. And yet he was drafted after the third round. He’s not tall enough and his skating is weak, according to many scouts.

Justin Poirier

See also  Forced kiss scandal: 'I felt vulnerable and attacked'

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

Poirier was drafted in the fifth round at 156.^H Rank by Carolina.

Martin Lapointe said after the draft that in the sixth round, CH was looking for a Quebecer, but he had already been selected. It's possible he was talking about Justin Poirier.

But in 102^H In the center, the Canadian chose Ontario Owen Protz, a big defender who collected 19 points this season.

At 130^H First up, Montreal has set their sights on BC senior forward Tyler Thorpe. He has scored 23 goals this year.

In 134^H In the ranking, CH went there with Mikus Vecvanags, the Latvian goalkeeper.

There, I don't really know what to answer my uncle. I also wish the Canadian would have taken a chance with Poirier instead of one of these guys, whose chances of breaking through are slim (like all four picks).^H and 5^H Historical tour).

Last year, the Hughes-Gorton duo showed their admiration for Quebec players by trading their 31st and 37th picks for Alex Newhook. With those picks, CH were able to take the two best players available in the QMJHL: Ethan Gauthier and Étienne Morin.

Desire for Montreal

For Poirier, it's sad, but if you're a diehard CH fan, you want him to never get a spot in the NHL. Because if the red-headed forward from Drakkar ever makes it to the big leagues, it would be very embarrassing for the Canadian.

The people who recruited Bleu-blanc-rouge are much better at the end of my keyboard as a stage manager than I am. Montreal had their reasons for not taking him. They are hockey geniuses. On the other hand, they have to live with the pressure of making such a decision.

A Quebecer scored 51 goals at age 17 in the QMJHL and was not taken by a Canadian in his first seven draft picks. That's the reality.

The Canadian has to firmly believe that Poirier will be no good and that all of his options will have a better chance of playing in the NHL. But if that doesn't happen, I think CH has missed out. And that should piss young Poirier off a lot.

Pressure on the Canadian

Yes, we must avoid being swept away like Louis Leblanc. But now, 15 years later, we can come back from that. No, the team cannot make decisions based on public opinion alone. But there is pressure in trying not to run away from the Quebecers. And there, CH put itself at risk.

Jeff Molson reminds us how important it is to actually speak French. Well, I would have liked Justin Poirier to have been drafted by Montreal much better than Celine Dion being announced as the first pick. Although I really thought it was great to bring our singer in.

Getty Images via AFP

You'll tell me CH wasn't the only team looking at Poirier in the draft. 154 times a player was favored. But I don't care if Columbus runs away from Poirier. Not CH.

Like when Canadian Corey Urquhart took over from Patrice Bergeron.

My uncle's question is interesting and I can't answer it. If the Nordiques were around, would Justin Poirier have been drafted sooner?

CH must be able to not escape.