by Marc Lescoutre , Vodcast Producer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
MONTREAL, QC. — “It’s on me.”
Those were the words of Marc Bergevin on January 21st when he addressed the media in the midst of a slump which saw the Canadiens lose 17 of 21 games. When asked, the GM stated that no matter what happened between then and the end of the season, Michel Therrien and his staff would be left in place for the remainder of the season.
Fast forward just over a month and things haven’t gotten much better, aside from a 3-game win streak and a couple of other shoot out wins here and there. The Habs still can’t play with any consistency, Carey Price is still practicing without equipment, injuries are mounting and the club now has to finally face the reality that the playoffs are not in the cards for the 2015-16 season.
Up until last week the only thing really missing from the season was a good old fashioned beef between the coach and one of his star players. Luckily Michel Therrien took care of that.
Many pundits and fans alike have questioned Bergevin’s stubbornness in sticking to his word of keeping Therrien on board for the rest of the season. In fact, All Habs staff writer Caitlyn Golem asked fans what they thought the team should do with the coach prior to the Jan 21 presser. While reaction on social media was somewhat mixed, the majority certainly seemed to be in favour of letting the coach go.
Given the lack of options currently available, however, any change made in-season would surely be on an interim basis. Whether or not Bergevin goes back on his word, the fate of Michel Therrien and his staff seems to be inevitable, even if it means waiting until the end of the season to make a change.
One assumption, although controversial, is that I have restricted my choices to bilingual candidates. Many fans of the club, myself included, disagree with this policy. At this point in time however, there’s no reason to believe the policy will be changed.
With that in mind, here are a few interesting potential options for Marc Bergevin (or Geoff Molson) to consider at seasons end.
Benoit Groulx
Current: Head Coach and General Manager of Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
Resume: 460 wins in 812 games as head coach in QMJHL. A record of 92-64 in playoffs. Winner of the Ron Lapointe Trophy for QMJHL Coach of the Year (2004). Head Coach of Canada for 2015 WJHC Championship (Won Gold)
Groulx is known as a coach who pushes his players hard. He has been largely successful during his two stints in Gatineau, and also had a two-year stop in the AHL which included a trip to the playoffs.
Marc Crawford
Current: Head Coach of ZSC Lions (Swiss National League A)
Resume: 549 wins in 1151 games as head coach in NHL. Won Stanley Cup (1996). Jack Adams Award (1995). Swiss National League A Championship (2014).
Crawford’s teams are known for their run-and-gun style of play, which should get fans of P.K. Subban excited. Crawford is known as a hot head and has flown off the handle several times including tirades directed at opposing coaches and referees.
“I want to give myself the best opportunity to get back in the NHL next year. If that is being a head coach, which I hope it is, or if it’s being an assistant coach or if it’s going back to one of the other leagues, I want to give myself every opportunity.” — Mark Crawford
Crawford noted in an interview with The Hockey News that sees himself as being improved technically and tactically as a coach following his time in Europe.
Guy Boucher
Current: Free Agent
Resume: 97 wins in 195 games as head coach in NHL. Regular season and Playoff champion with the Rimouski Océanic (2005).
Habs fans remember Guy Boucher as a successful AHL coach in Hamilton, but he is most known around the league for the infamous 1-3-1 trap system which he implemented in Tampa Bay. While it led to some boring hockey and a fractured reputation, it’s worth noting that star centre Steven Stamkos put up an average of 1.1 points per game over the almost three seasons he played under Boucher.
Boucher had been coaching in Switzerland until he was relieved of his duties in December 2015.
Bob Hartley
Current: Head Coach of Calgary Flames
Resume: 428 wins in 862 games as head coach in NHL. Jack Adams Award (2015) Won Stanley Cup as Assistant Coach (1996)
Hartley has been known as a coach that demands a lot of his players and made some noise when he made several key players healthy scratches following a poor showing at practice. Some have gone so far as to say Hartley can be a bully.
While he’s currently under contract, Hartley has reportedly been in and out of the hot seat in Calgary, and could be considered an option if he is shown the door this summer.
Claude Julien
Current: Head Coach of Boston Bruins
Resume: 470 wins in 860 games as head coach in NHL. Stanley Cup Winner (2011). Jack Adams Award (2009).
The former coach of the Canadiens likes to employ a defensive system, but unlike the current regime in Montreal, he likes to match lines. Despite a lot of success over the years in Boston, the team has been trending in the wrong way over the last two seasons. Should Julien be relieved of his duties this summer, a change of scenery and return to Montreal could be a best-case scenario for both Julien and the Habs.
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Personally, with the pressures that come with the job in Montreal, I’d like to see someone with ample NHL experience, as well as some recent success. Claude Julien, if available, would be my pick.
Comment below or tweet me with who do you see as the best replacement available for Michel Therrien?
Don’t forget to check out All Habs Hockey Magazine’s Video Podcast, Habs Banter, which is co-hosted by Marc Lescoutre and All Habs Managing Editor Corey Desormeaux. We discuss all things related to the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club and have some fun while doing it!