Canadiens won't hire president of hockey operations

Geoff Molson doesn't plan to add another layer of oversight to the Montreal Canadiens' front office.

The team's owner told reporters Wednesday that he doesn't intend to hire a president of hockey operations, and he praised general manager Marc Bergevin, calling him one of the most experienced and respected GMs in the NHL, according to The Athletic's Arpon Basu.

Multiple NHL teams currently employ a hockey ops department president who typically ranks above the club's general manager and distances the GM from ownership.

Molson has repeatedly praised Bergevin despite the Canadiens' relative mediocrity in recent years.

Since hiring the former NHL defenseman to make the team's player personnel decisions in May 2012, Montreal has made four playoff appearances (the club has yet to qualify in 2019-20 because the play-in round isn't considered the true playoffs).

However, the Canadiens have advanced as far as the Eastern Conference Final only once in that span, losing to the New York Rangers in 2014.

The Molson family bought the team from George Gillett in 2009. Geoff Molson is currently listed as the team's owner, president, and CEO.