Martin St. Louis using fire, self-belief from playing days to fuel drive as Habs coach

Martin St. Louis had a pretty good sense of what he was getting into.

The Hall of Fame forward played 16 NHL seasons, won a Stanley Cup, captured major awards, experienced international success, and fought for everything he got on the ice — especially early in his career — during an era where his five-foot-eight frame was viewed as a distinct disadvantage.

The fire and self-belief that pushed St. Louis among hockey's greats is something he's now brought to the next chapter of his career as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens.

He also continues to learn.

"The most important day in this league is the next day," St. Louis said recently. "Whether you win or lose, how do you attack the next day?

"I understood that, but I think I realize even more now how important that next day is."

The Canadiens have been looking to the next day — and far beyond — for quite some time.

St. Louis was hired in February on an interim basis with the team sporting a historically bad 8-30-7 record following an improbable run to the 2021 Cup final.

WATCH | Canadiens' losing streak sits at 6 games:

There are plenty of reasons Dominique Ducharme's second season in charge went so poorly — injuries, sub-par performances, an inability or unwillingness to adapt — but one thing that's evident is St. Louis has brought new energy since taking the job.

"Just building something together," Montreal winger Cole Caufield said. "That's the way we're all looking at it."

The 46-year-old St. Louis, who indicated last week he'd like to continue the job full-time, owns a 12-16-4 record as he looks to mould an organization that's pivoted to a rebuild.

"It's not one specific thing," the two-time Art Ross Trophy winner as the NHL's top scorer said of his areas of focus