Marc brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our management team. He will be an important addition to our squad, ”said Blake, who also serves as King's vice-president, in a statement.

The association between the Californian team and Bergevin is not surprising. In October, rumors emanated from the pen of the New York Post's Larry Brooks sending the 56-year-old to the Kings at the end of this campaign, the last of a contract extension he had. signed in November 2015.

At the time, it was said that Blake's future was uncertain due to the setbacks his team had faced in recent seasons. The Kings haven't made the playoffs since 2017-18 and have never made it through the first round since winning the 2014 Stanley Cup. Blake still doesn't have a valid deal for the next campaign.

Appreciated By Robitaille

Bergevin will not land like some illustrious stranger on the shores of the San Andreas Fault. He will join his good friend Luc Robitaille, president of the Kings. Moreover, in our pages, Robitaille had hastened to deny the rumors leading Bergevin to his organization.

“Rob is doing a really good job for our team. There have never been any discussions with Marc even though I receive calls from my nephews in Quebec who read rumors. Here in Los Angeles, we have the best or the second-best hopeful bank in the NHL, according to several experts. Rob worked for it. We have a plan and we will not change our strategy in the middle of the road, ”he had mentioned to colleague Jean-François Chaumont during the Canadian's first visit to the west coast.

This did not, however, prevent Robitaille from recognizing Bergevin's qualities. Marc is a very good GM in the NHL, one of the best,” continued Robitaille. When you look at his transaction history, he did some really good things. He has good vision. He's a talented manager and he knows everyone in the NHL. In my eyes, he is clearly among the top ten in his profession. ”

Close To His Son And Pat Brisson

It is also in these surroundings that Pat Brisson resides. Another very good acquaintance of Bergevin is the influential player agent. Not to mention that one of his sons apparently lives in
Los Angeles.

“I enjoyed my break, but I'm excited to join the Kings and be part of the squad that will help the team achieve their goals. I have enormous respect for Luc, for Rob, and for the group which is in place, reacted Bergevin in the same press release published by the Kings.

With Danault

What seems a little funny in this news is that Bergevin is going to join Phillip Danault, the very one for whom he did not want to extend the additional $ 500,000 which would have enabled him to keep the services of the Victoriavillois with the CH. Recall that on July 28, the 28-year-old striker affixed his name to the bottom of a six-year contract earning him $ 5.5 million annually.

This agreement had officially ended the association between the Canadian and Danault, after rather bumpy negotiations. Bergevin, therefore, joins the Kings after 10 years in the seat of general manager of the Canadiens.

Previously, he had spent seven seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks organization as a scout, director of player personnel, and assistant general manager (in 2011-2012).