CALGARY, AB DECEMBER 22: Teammates of the Montreal Canadiens celebrate after winning in a game against the Montreal Canadiens on December 22, 2017 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)

Many people have given their insight on what’s the issue with the Montreal Canadiens, and former player Alex Kovalev joined in on the conversation.

We’re smack in the middle of the bye week for the Montreal Canadiens. The team will be back on the ice to practice on Friday and play the next day against the Boston Bruins.

With no Habs hockey to watch, there isn’t much to do except continue to voice our opinions on the team or if you’re on Team Tank, check the standings (nothing has changed, they’re still 26th). The latest person to give their thoughts on the Habs was former player Alex Kovalev.

The former first-round pick played for the Montreal Canadiens from 2003-2009 putting up 103 goals and 161 assists. An article by La Presse had a lot of interesting points on Kovalev’s reasons for where the organization is now.

Kovalev mentioned that the Habs don’t put too much time into developing players as the goal is always to have some sort of success every year and that their desire to always hire French-speaking individuals as the two things that are hurting them today.

I’m not surprised by the return of Claude Julien. Even when I played, they always wanted a francophone coach, francophone players. I do not know why we are insisting on this point. I know we want to keep culture, it’s a good thing. But we are talking about hockey here, bringing the Stanley Cup back to Montreal.

Ironically, both have been mentioned by the fan base on multiple occasions, but it shoots out at you more seeing a former player say it.

Between the two, the development needs to be improved most of all. Getting picks and prospects aren’t going to do anything for the team in the future if they can’t grow them to become everyday NHL players. If the Habs can’t change that, it won’t matter if they try to win, rebuild, or retool.

On the bright side, Kovalev is looking to join a team. Perhaps having him as a skills coach could help.

We can bring the excitement back to Montreal! Hire me! Not to play, but I could work with the players, help the teams. I asked some teams if they had anything for me this summer, I was told there was nothing. I would like to help, they just have to offer me a job.

Morning Links

Canadiens Entering Bye Week at Perfect Time

Regardless of management’s hopes, the next set of games for the Habs will be the final decider. It’s fitting that they have this week off to get ready for them.

In position to benefit

Remember when Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said one of Tampa Bay’s strengths was that they had centers playing on the wing which made them overall better players? It’s frustrating to think about, but if Jonathan Drouin ever is moved back to the wing, his time playing in the middle could help.

Pat Hickey: Canadiens could be on cusp of long, painful retooling

You can’t rebuild with Carey Price in net, but the retool that may be coming the Habs’ way could be harder to deal with than expected.