Confirmed with Link: Jean-François Houle Parts Ways with Habs/Rocket to Coach at Clarkson University

[WeThreeKings]

They do need to get bigger, something Houle mentioned in his press briefing yesterday.

Which he will undoubtedly use to punish Farrell, Kidney and Mesar next year.

 

[Tyson]

Which he will undoubtedly use to punish Farrell, Kidney and Mesar next year.

I think getting bigger will be to surround them with some guys who can keep other goons honest. He has to play the kids, he even said that was his mandate.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I think getting bigger will be to surround them with some guys who can keep other goons honest. He has to play the kids, he even said that was his mandate.

He's not a smart enough man to control his instincts, we saw it down the stretch. The kids were going, the vets were ass, and the vets were thrown out there constantly to put 0 shots on goal.

 

[Tyson]

He's not a smart enough man to control his instincts, we saw it down the stretch. The kids were going, the vets were ass, and the vets were thrown out there constantly to put 0 shots on goal.

I was critical of Houle last season at times but I think overall he has done a solid job with the kids.
If management had signed a vet like Kaskisuo early in the season they would have easily made the playoffs.
It's a balancing act with career AHL players, young prospects, injuries, call ups etc.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I was critical of Houle last season at times but I think overall he has done a solid job with the kids.
If management had signed a vet like Kaskisuo early in the season they would have easily made the playoffs.
It's a balancing act with career AHL players, young prospects, injuries, call ups etc.

They would have been swept round 1 with the way he had them playing at the end. Just an atrocious coaching job to close it all out, that should have cost him his job alone.

 

[Tyson]

They would have been swept round 1 with the way he had them playing at the end. Just an atrocious coaching job to close it all out, that should have cost him his job alone.

He made some blunders but having watched about 65 of their games I was never impressed with the make up of the veterans. No coach is perfect but management considers him the right guy so I am going with it.

 

[WeThreeKings]

He made some blunders but having watched about 65 of their games I was never impressed with the make up of the veterans. No coach is perfect but management consider him the right guy so I am going with it.

I think it's a blind spot so far, they seem pretty reluctant to change the coaching staff. I'd be looking for improvements in the area especially with how he speaks to the media, his unchanging bias against some prospects, and just the general disarray, lack of motivation, lack of cohesion, lack of execution and lack of pace/desire during the final games and pretty much letting the veterans suck tremendously for 18+ minutes a night and on the first PP without a thought to change things up even when they went multiple periods without a shot on net.

 

[Tyson]

I think it's a blind spot so far, they seem pretty reluctant to change the coaching staff. I'd be looking for improvements in the area especially with how he speaks to the media, his unchanging bias against some prospects, and just the general disarray, lack of motivation, lack of cohesion, lack of execution and lack of pace/desire during the final games and pretty much letting the veterans suck tremendously for 18+ minutes a night and on the first PP without a thought to change things up even when they went multiple periods without a shot on net.

Hopefully the assistant they bring in can help alleviate some issues.
At least they aren't entering the season with a raw rookie in nets

 

[Sorinth]

I think it's a blind spot so far, they seem pretty reluctant to change the coaching staff. I'd be looking for improvements in the area especially with how he speaks to the media, his unchanging bias against some prospects, and just the general disarray, lack of motivation, lack of cohesion, lack of execution and lack of pace/desire during the final games and pretty much letting the veterans suck tremendously for 18+ minutes a night and on the first PP without a thought to change things up even when they went multiple periods without a shot on net.

Not sure we can draw a conclusion like they are reluctant to change coaching staff, I mean they went out and said Ducharme's job was safe until at least the end of the year but when things got even worse they fired him without hestiation.

I think it's more likely that they A) Leave decisions about assistant coaches completely up to the head coach and B) Have a different evaluation of Houle's job then you or I

And I can sort of see why they might be if not happy at least content with Houle's job in the AHL. For sure some issues as you've listed, but some positives as well. I think a lot comes down to how much buy in there is with managements idea of how to develop players.

 

[HABitual Fan]

I think it will always be a challenge attracting top veterans for Laval as long as you have NHL veterans clogging up the 3 rd and 4th lines in Montreal. Dvorak Anderson,Armia, Gallagher, all have pretty much locked up the spots these guys are aiming for, so they look elsewhere.

The only way you will maybe get some, is to overpay on one way contracts so they get NHL salaries when sent down, and due to the salary may clear waivers.

The other option is if they are ready to sign a multi-year AHL deal for the same money but gaining stability and financial security for their families in the process.

 

[Tyson]

I think it will always be a challenge attracting top veterans for Laval as long as you have NHL veterans clogging up the 3 rd and 4th lines in Montreal. Dvorak Anderson,Armia, Gallagher, all have pretty much locked up the spots these guys are aiming for, so they look elsewhere.

The only way you will maybe get some, is to overpay on one way contracts so they get NHL salaries when sent down, and due to the salary may clear waivers.

The other option is if they are ready to sign a multi-year AHL deal for the same money but gaining stability and financial security for their families in the process.

Some AHL vets accept their standing and just want a decent contract. Playing in a state of the art building in front of 8,000 fans every night is attractive to guys that know their top ability is the AHL.

 

[schwang26]

I think getting bigger will be to surround them with some guys who can keep other goons honest. He has to play the kids, he even said that was his mandate.

I hope no one is still bitching he didn’t play the kids, cuz clearly they weren’t watching.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I hope no one is still bitching he didn’t play the kids, cuz clearly they weren’t watching.

I watched every game Reinbacher played and if you don't think he wasn't ham fisting his useless vets out on that first power play unit and not making any changes to those units despite their ineffectiveness, you weren't watching.

 

[schwang26]

Some AHL vets accept their standing and just want a decent contract. Playing in a state of the art building in front of 8,000 fans every night is attractive to guys that know their top ability is the AHL.

Agreed. Unless they’re thinking about call up opportunities, I think Laval would be attractive. The fan base is easily top tier. There has to be dozens of ahl level French Canadians who would play there.

 

[schwang26]

I watched every game Reinbacher played and if you don't think he wasn't ham fisting his useless vets out on that first power play unit and not making any changes to those units despite their ineffectiveness, you weren't watching.

Ya, that long stretch of Reinbacher games! Oh boy. Bad example. Not to mention the fact that when he came over, they were right in the middle of a dog fight to make the playoffs. You’re using an 18 year old euro with no NA experience as an example? You can’t fault a coach for playing vets in that situation. Not at all. With that said, didn’t the rookie goalie Dobes start all those remaining games? He played the kids dude.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Ya, that long stretch of Reinbacher games! Oh boy. Bad example. Not to mention the fact that when he came over, they were right in the middle of a dog fight to make the playoffs. You’re using an 18 year old euro with no NA experience as an example? You can’t fault a coach for playing vets in that situation. Not at all. With that said, didn’t the rookie goalie Dobes start all those remaining games? He played the kids dude.

How is it a bad example? It was the last stretch of games that were imperative to make the playoffs. I didn't say he didn't use Reinbacher, I said he didn't use the kids as the games got more important, the vets got more ice time especially on the powerplay even if they were ineffective.

I'm talking all the kids, Heineman, Kidney, Farrell.

I can fault a coach for putting out veterans who are doing nothing on PP1 when it was clear that PP2 with the kids was the only one generating anything.

He's a stubborn blow hard who leans on veterans when it matters in games and all he did in those 10+ games was watch Gignac and the rest of the gang fail to generate anything 5 on 5 or on the powerplay and make no adjustments.

If you think he did a great job of using his roster, getting them organized, having them energized and playing effective hockey over that stretch then I've got a bridge to sell you bud.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

Some AHL vets accept their standing and just want a decent contract. Playing in a state of the art building in front of 8,000 fans every night is attractive to guys that know their top ability is the AHL.

Also injuries are always bound to happen, the roster might look full but after some injuries, trades, etc. opportunities always come up.

Just at forward alone, Armia, Roy, Heineman, Gignac, Condotta and Stephens all started the season in Laval and spent time with the Habs last year. If Laval wasn't battling for the playoffs near the end of the season I am sure Andersson might've got a few games in too.

 

[schwang26]

How is it a bad example? It was the last stretch of games that were imperative to make the playoffs. I didn't say he didn't use Reinbacher, I said he didn't use the kids as the games got more important, the vets got more ice time especially on the powerplay even if they were ineffective.

I'm talking all the kids, Heineman, Kidney, Farrell.

I can fault a coach for putting out veterans who are doing nothing on PP1 when it was clear that PP2 with the kids was the only one generating anything.

He's a stubborn blow hard who leans on veterans when it matters in games and all he did in those 10+ games was watch Gignac and the rest of the gang fail to generate anything 5 on 5 or on the powerplay and make no adjustments.

If you think he did a great job of using his roster, getting them organized, having them energized and playing effective hockey over that stretch then I've got a bridge to sell you bud.

You totally did say he played vets on the first PP instead of Reinbacher. And Gignac was their leading scorer. How does he NOT put him out there?And all those guys you mentioned, with the exception of Kidney maybe, (who probably won’t make it anyway) played. I’m not sure who exactly you’re sticking up for, because with the exception of Kidney, all the kid got plenty of playing time. Even crappy Norlinder got playing time!

 

[Adam Michaels]

I watched every game Reinbacher played and if you don't think he wasn't ham fisting his useless vets out on that first power play unit and not making any changes to those units despite their ineffectiveness, you weren't watching.

Reinbacher was on PK1.

PP1 was Mailloux and PP2 was Trudeau most of the time.

 

[WeThreeKings]

You totally did say he played vets on the first PP instead of Reinbacher. And Gignac was their leading scorer. How does he NOT put him out there?And all those guys you mentioned, with the exception of Kidney maybe, (who probably won’t make it anyway) played. I’m not sure who exactly you’re sticking up for, because with the exception of Kidney, all the kid got plenty of playing time. Even crappy Norlinder got playing time!

Show me explicitly where I said he played vets on the first PP instead of Reinbacher. I said I watched every game Reinbacher played and in those games, the vets were stacked on PP1 and they were largely ineffective and despite that, he refused to change the PP units or give more time to the 2nd unit which was more effective and had more kids on it.

I don't care if anyone is the leading scorer, when the powerplay unit is doing nothing and the vet lines can't complete a pass or get a shot on net, you go to the group or players who are doing so. That's not playing the kids, leaning more heavily on the vets who were doing nothing is the opposite of playing the kids.

Reinbacher was on PK1.

PP1 was Mailloux and PP2 was Trudeau most of the time.

Yes, I know. Although Reinbacher didn't always start the PK so I'm not sure who was really unit 1 or 2 there but he got plenty of use on the PK.

 

[montreal]

if you want a refresher on Reinbacher in Laval,

 

[Adam Michaels]

Yes, I know. Although Reinbacher didn't always start the PK so I'm not sure who was really unit 1 or 2 there but he got plenty of use on the PK.

I believe the only time he didn't start the PK was if he was on the ice when they got penalized and they needed fresh legs. He was always paired with Bisson and Tobie was Houle's main go-to guy for the PK, so Reinbacher would usually be on there with him as the first unit.

Either way, Reinbacher was used a lot when he was in the line-up. I believe he was only not used on the PP.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I believe the only time he didn't start the PK was if he was on the ice when they got penalized and they needed fresh legs. He was always paired with Bisson and Tobie was Houle's main go-to guy for the PK, so Reinbacher would usually be on there with him as the first unit.

Either way, Reinbacher was used a lot when he was in the line-up. I believe he was only not used on the PP.

Yes, I never had any issues with Reinbacher's usage nor did I state that I did. Just to be clear.

My issues with was how the vet forwards were being used, specifically on the powerplay, and specifically in games when they didn't have it and they weren't even generating shots on goal.

 

[Vachon23]

An other option is that they could hired one of their guy (anglophone) as assistant coach to.

Like one of those guys:

Brock Sheahan at eliteprospects.com

Eliteprospects.com staff profile of Brock Sheahan, 1984-05-06 Lethbridge, AB, CAN Canada.

www.eliteprospects.com

https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/22435/mathew-deschamps

Johnny Lehmann at eliteprospects.com

Eliteprospects.com staff profile of Johnny Lehmann, 1995-03-13 Wheaton, IL, USA USA.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[montreal]

Yes, I never had any issues with Reinbacher's usage nor did I state that I did. Just to be clear.

My issues with was how the vet forwards were being used, specifically on the powerplay, and specifically in games when they didn't have it and they weren't even generating shots on goal.

Houle clearly had issues adjusting his lines for the PP. He was slow to move Mailloux up to PP1 but at least he finally did. He didn't move Farrell up to PP1 despite it being clear he was one of the few that was consistently creating things in the offensive zone. He finally moved him up to PP1 for 1 game and then he was back to PP2.

I've brought this up at the time, I don't know how they handle situations like this but when PP1 was struggling and PP2 was looking like the better option with Farrell and Barron, I wanted him to make changes but I don't know how the Habs would look at that as I don't think you would want Mailloux Barron to be the PP1 pairing. So if you just have the 1 spot at RD on PP1 who should get it, the rookie prospect that's having a great season or the 1st round pick that was just recently sent back to the AHL. Mailloux to me has more upside so I can see why they opted to keep Mailloux on PP1 and Barron on PP2 despite the struggles for the PP in the final weeks of the season.