Petry's future with Habs uncertain amid GM change

Veteran defenceman could be moved if new management decides to rebuild

Former Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin made his second big commitment to Jeff Petry last year, signing the defenceman to a four-year, Us$25-million contract extension that kicked in this season.

Bergevin's first commitment to Petry was a six-year, Us$33-million contract he gave the defenceman after acquiring him in a trade-deadline deal with the Edmonton Oilers in 2015.

Petry also made two big commitments to the Canadiens and the city of Montreal.

“There were many things that ultimately played into signing this deal,” Petry said after signing his current contract.

“Factors of term, family, dollars. I think overall my wife (Julie) and I reached a comfortable position that we felt was good for us, being comfortable where we live, knowing how much I enjoy playing for this organization, how the organization has treated my wife and my family. So that all had to do with the decision.”

Now Bergevin has been fired as GM and the future in Montreal isn't so certain for Petry and his family, which includes three young boys.

If Jeff Gorton, the new executive VP of hockey operations, and whoever the next GM is decide to go with a rebuild, the 33-year-old Petry is one of the players they would probably look to move.

According to Capfriendly.com, Petry's contract allows him to submit a 15-team no-trade list, and the fact he has struggled this season with 0-2-2 totals in 24 games might make him hard to move.

“Any time there's change they're going to come in, evaluate the situation and make a decision on what they want to do moving forward, what the team looks like over the next little bit,” Petry said after practice Wednesday in Brossard. “Obviously, decisions have to be made and we're all aware of that. So it's not a concern of mine. With what decisions they're going to make, you can't control that situation, so there's no sense in losing sleep over that.

“When you get later in your career, as a I am, you know time's not on your side,” Petry added. “So that's a decision that they need to make and to be aware of what they're going to do, that kind of helps you read the situation if it's going to be a five-year process, twoyear process, it changes based on the decisions that they make. So at this time you can't really make a decision and judge what it's going to be like.”

Petry and Bergevin had a close relationship, which also factored in the defenceman's decision to stay in Montreal.

“He's a guy that saw my potential when I was with Edmonton and brought me in here to finish off that year and gave me a contract — two contracts, I should say,” Petry said.

“I owe a lot to him and I thanked him for everything he's done for this team, this organization and for myself over the past seven years that I've been here.

“I think Berg was a guy that liked to be around the guys,” Petry added. “He was a guy that his door was always open and had that open communication and helped guys along. I've been on another team where it was the opposite. You didn't see a whole lot of the general manager.”

When you get later in your career, as I am, you know time's not on your side.