Confirmed with Link: OFFICIAL: Martin St-Louis is the 32nd head coach in Canadiens history (3 year contract)

[JianYang]

Glad to see Burrows staying. Hopefully we get him some players to help improve the PP.

Did msl mention that all the coaches are staying in their current roles?

Just because the same guys are back doesn't necessarily mean that they will hold the same assignments.

I'd imagine msl would be more heavily involved on the PP than previous head coaches.

 

[River Meadow]

I was hoping for a legitimate coaching search but knew this was going to be the outcome. Hopefully some new assistants come in to help him out and clean up our brutal special teams.

He'll get better with experience, so hopefully he grows with the young core

Who could be better??????????????

 

[NotProkofievian]

Who could be better??????????????

Jukka Jalonen has coached Finland to gold medals at the WJC, WC (3 times now), and the Olympics, in addition to a Liiga title. At any level, including the NHL, his resume is one of the most impressive in the world.

We can't have him though because reasons.

 

[River Meadow]

Jukka Jalonen has coached Finland to gold medals at the WJC, WC (3 times now), and the Olympics, in addition to a Liiga title. At any level, including the NHL, his resume is one of the most impressive in the world.

We can't have him though because reasons.

Haha, yeah I was gonna say...

Reasons on top of reasons now.

 

[NotProkofievian]

That being said I don't have too much of a problem with Marty taking the reigns for the next little bit. The next few years aren't about winning, they're about building a culture and bringing highly talented players into that culture. It's not so important whether they win or lose, but rather how they play. Marty is good for that.

As a tactician at the NHL level, ehhh it remains to be seen how competent he is, we'll reevaluate later.

 

[dcyhabs]

That being said I don't have too much of a problem with Marty taking the reigns for the next little bit. The next few years aren't about winning, they're about building a culture and bringing highly talented players into that culture. It's not so important whether they win or lose, but rather how they play. Marty is good for that.

As a tactician at the NHL level, ehhh it remains to be seen how competent he is, we'll reevaluate later.

He’s there for the rebuild. We’ll see if he can get the team to win when the time comes.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Makes a bit of a mockery out of coaching imo. A guy with almost no experience comes in and immediately performs better than the guy coaching most of his life haha. I like it tbh, I wonder if this will pave the way for fresh new ideas and the hiring of smart hockey ppl over dinosaur coaches that aren’t very good?

 

[Zilo44]

Jukka Jalonen has coached Finland to gold medals at the WJC, WC (3 times now), and the Olympics, in addition to a Liiga title. At any level, including the NHL, his resume is one of the most impressive in the world.

We can't have him though because reasons.

But would this guy be willing to come here and rebuild like Hughes and Gorton want ? That’s the deal with St-Louis, he is willing to do that job. I think most new names in the league will want to show the world they can win at all cost and veteran coaches have no time for rebuilding.

In that sense, St-Louis makes sense

 

[BLONG7]

Makes a bit of a mockery out of coaching imo. A guy with almost no experience comes in and immediately performs better than the guy coaching most of his life haha. I like it tbh, I wonder if this will pave the way for fresh new ideas and the hiring of smart hockey ppl over dinosaur coaches that aren’t very good?

There seems to have been a shift in the way the game is played, and certainly coached.....it's beyond strange that MSL got tons out of guys, as compared to a Dom who has been a career coach.....

The dinosaur coaches only got second and third chances because the language factor in Montreal, and in the entire league there is the old boys club style mentality.

It has been changing, and the hiring of MSL is telling....wish him luck, and really think he is good for this current time for the team, what he got out of Caufield was amazing....can he do it with Harris, Barron, hopefully Wright and others.

 

[schwang26]

Best time for something like this to happen. Habs are not expected to be competitive and more or less will be rebuilding. I'd rather see a youth movement with some exciting games than boring, dump and chase games all while trying to squeeze into the playoffs.

 

[durojean]

That being said I don't have too much of a problem with Marty taking the reigns for the next little bit. The next few years aren't about winning, they're about building a culture and bringing highly talented players into that culture. It's not so important whether they win or lose, but rather how they play. Marty is good for that.

As a tactician at the NHL level, ehhh it remains to be seen how competent he is, we'll reevaluate later.

I feel like it's always who you surround yourself with : St-Louis is a great communicator with a lot of leadership. He needs and X and O's guy. THe best strategist he could find to complement himself and to challenge him.

That is also why I don't like the current coaching team. Burrows Richardson and St-Louis essentially bring the same thing. I don't really know about Letowski.

He should go find people that are better than him in his weak spots not people that are like him.

 

[Habs13]

I think this was the smart play for where the Habs are right now. Happy with this!

 

[Habs Halifax]

That being said I don't have too much of a problem with Marty taking the reigns for the next little bit. The next few years aren't about winning, they're about building a culture and bringing highly talented players into that culture. It's not so important whether they win or lose, but rather how they play. Marty is good for that.

As a tactician at the NHL level, ehhh it remains to be seen how competent he is, we'll reevaluate later.

Exactly how I see it too. MSL is good for the youth and new culture/development and he also matures as a coach during that same 3 year period. He's very competitive, smart, and hard working so it will be interesting to see how he matures as a NHL coach moving forward... and what his personal expectations are

 

[WeThreeKings]

The easiest thing to do is that if he doesn't evolve with the team and is capable of being the tactician once the rebuild/development window is expired - is they can promote him into the development-hockey ops portion of the team and hire a skilled tactician to get us into the next phase.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I feel like it's always who you surround yourself with : St-Louis is a great communicator with a lot of leadership. He needs and X and O's guy. THe best strategist he could find to complement himself and to challenge him.

That is also why I don't like the current coaching team. Burrows Richardson and St-Louis essentially bring the same thing. I don't really know about Letowski.

He should go find people that are better than him in his weak spots not people that are like him.

Richardson fits IMO. Burrows not so much. Replace Burrows with a vet coach and it might come together well. I also don't know much about Letowski

 

[Milhouse40]

The easiest thing to do is that if he doesn't evolve with the team and is capable of being the tactician once the rebuild/development window is expired - is they can promote him into the development-hockey ops portion of the team and hire a skilled tactician to get us into the next phase.

We don't know how good of a tactician Marty is.......we might not need to hire one when the times come and thiere's always that criteria that limits our options. As of now, there's absolutely not one NHL experience french speaking coach I would take ahead of MSL, not a single one....even as a tactician.

 

[WeThreeKings]

We don't know how good of a tactician Marty is.......we might not need to hire one when the times come and thiere's always that criteria that limits our options. As of now, there's absolutely not one NHL experience french speaking coach I would take ahead of MSL, not a single one....even as a tactician.

We are saying the same thing. We might not need to hire one if MSL grows with the team and as a tactician. But if we get to that point, I don't see it as them firing MSL but they'll promote him and have him work with the operations department.

It's great that we'll be able to retain MSL in the organization regardless if he's able to take the next step with the team as a coach. It's a huge win.

 

[durojean]

Richardson fits IMO. Burrows not so much. Replace Burrows with a vet coach and it might come together well. I also don't know much about Letowski

Ideally I'd like

Coach
----------
Knows everything in hockey, strong leadership, strong communicator ( ST-Louis fits the bill ). Can do everything well.

ACoach 1
-----------
X and O's guy with opinions ( best X and O's guy you could find in the business )

ACoach 2
------------
The best player's performance reader you could find. The type of guy that will automatically know if a player is in his game or out of it and won't be scared to tell the coach about it. Would also be the coach that would help the coach the most for the line changes. ( Richardson could be that, he seems to do a fine job at that, but is he the best for that kind of role, I'm not sure )

ACoach 3
------------
I'd like the best psychologist possible. Will be able the intervene and help player with the bigger problems on life and be a guy that will help the coach and other assistant coach know where each player are mentally and how to help them being at peak form in their head. ( Maybe that coach does not need to be on the bench but I feel any team should have that kind of guy in permanence surrounding the team )

I'd like us to build a dream team of coaching. I'd like to not only have the best coach in the business but I'd also targets the best Acoach in the business. They are as important if not more than the coach and are often overlooked.

I'm really not sure any of our Assistant Coach fit that bill personally. But I do think that Richardson is the one I'd consider keeping the most because he did a fine job while Ducharme was absent during the playoffs.

We need to gain an edge on the other teams and coaching is a place where we could really well do that. Every inch is important in that kind of sports. We should not be content with ok guys that does the job anywhere in the organisation.

 

[Tyson]

MSL has to be wondering about his goaltending situation.
Some many unanswered questions...

 

[Vachon23]

I know I'm annoying with that but still think a duo MSL Head Coach - Jim Montgomery Associate Coach would be the best thing that could happen.

For those who wonder how we could attract Montgomery who is contract is finishing this summer, read what Jim said on Hughes when he was hired:

Des petites attentions comme celle-là cadrent parfaitement avec l’homme que l’ancien entraîneur-chef des Stars de Dallas Jim Montgomery connaît depuis l’enfance.

« En tant qu’agent, il a développé une grande habileté dans la gestion des relations interpersonnelles, nous disait il y a quelques semaines celui qui est aujourd’hui entraîneur-adjoint chez les Blues de St. Louis. C’est le gros du job! Pour développer une liste aussi impressionnante de clients au fil des années, il faut être capable de comprendre les gens et savoir comment leur parler. »

Les deux hommes ont joué ensemble avec les Patriotes du Cégep Saint-Laurent en 1987-1988. C’est Hughes qui a vendu à Montgomery, qui a joué pendant quatre ans au Maine, l’idée d’emprunter l’avenue des universités américaines. Lorsqu’il est parti jouer au Vermont, il a continué d’aider son ami dans ses démarches. Plusieurs années plus tard, alors que Montgomery faisait la navette entre la Ligue nationale et la Ligue américaine, il a appelé son vieux complice pour lui demander s’il aimerait de nouveau s’occuper de sa carrière.

« Ce que j’ai toujours admiré de Kent, c’est qu’il travaille fort et qu’il est tellement intelligent. C’est un étudiant de la game et il a toujours pensé outside the box. Dans sa carrière d’agent, je crois que c’est la raison pour laquelle ses clients l’aimaient autant. Il les aidait à se développer autant comme joueur que comme personne, et ça c’est à cause de la communication qu’il avait avec chacun d’eux. C’est un gars honnête qui donne autant d’importance au caractère qu’à ce que tu peux faire sur la glace. »

Une fois sa carrière de joueur terminée, Montgomery a rapidement gravi les échelons dans la profession d’entraîneur. À chacune des étapes, il a continué de s’appuyer sur les conseils de son vieux chum.

« Quand j’étais l’entraîneur à Dubuque ou à l’Université de Denver, il m’appelait pour me dire d’aller voir tel ou tel jeu de puissance, qu’il avait trouvé quelque chose de très avancé. Et il avait raison. Il voyageait pour aller voir des clients et s’il y avait un coach dans un collège quelconque qui faisait quelque chose de différent et qu’il pensait que ça pouvait aider une équipe à gagner, il me disait et j’allais voir des vidéos. Il avait toujours raison. »

Chaque fois qu’une question épineuse l’a taraudé ou qu’une décision corsée s’est présentée sur son chemin, Montgomery a fait appel à la sagesse de Kent Hughes. Il a toujours voulu que son ami sache qu’il pouvait en faire autant.

« Mais la vie est toujours belle quand on parle à Kent. C’est pour ça que je crois qu’il est fait sur mesure pour ce qu’il vient d’entreprendre. Bien sûr, il y aura des journées plus difficiles. Bûcher et en arracher, c’est la vie dans la LNH. Mais Kent aime bûcher, il vit pour ce genre de défis. Je ne suis pas surpris qu’il ait accepté l’offre du Canadien parce que c’est une opportunité pour lui d’ajouter quelque chose à son expérience de vie. »

Kent Hughes : la « couenne dure » dans les deux langues

Les valeurs qui ont guidé Kent Hughes durant sa longue carrière d'agent sont le reflet de la philosophie qui le guidera dans la reconstruction du Canadien.

www.rds.ca

 

[DAChampion]

Ducharme is being referred to as an idiot dinosaur coach but he was actually highly touted when he came in, with an impressive resume. I am not sure why he failed in Montreal, but it's not because he was a dim choice to lead the club. I'm pretty sure nobody thought so when he was added to the organization.

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[Vachon23]

Ducharme is being referred to as an idiot dinosaur coach but he was actually highly touted when he came in, with an impressive resume. I am not sure why he failed in Montreal, but it's not because he was a dim choice to lead the club. I'm pretty sure nobody thought so when he was added to the organization.

The communication side was always his weakness even in the Q

In the NHL with pros, that weakness was probably to big for him to succeed. I do think he would have been a great assistant for MSL though because he's a good tacticien

 

[Price is Wright]

I know I'm annoying with that but still think a duo MSL Head Coach - Jim Montgomery Associate Coach would be the best thing that could happen.

If Jim is fine with being an assistant coach it allows him to go back home to Montreal and he'd be working for one of his old friends.

He's an excellent defensive coach who doesn't hold offence back in doing so. He'd be more useful for the penalty kill than the power play. That said he'd be great behind the bench.

The problem of course is multiple teams need a new head coach. His old team in Dallas has a vacancy. Philadelphia and Detroit have a vacancy. Whomever doesn't get Trotz between Winnipeg and Vegas will probably interview him. I only see him coming to Montreal if he misses out on those jobs and doesn't plan to stay in St. Louis.

 

[Vachon23]

If Jim is fine with being an assistant coach it allows him to go back home to Montreal and he'd be working for one of his old friends.

He's an excellent defensive coach who doesn't hold offence back in doing so. He'd be more useful for the penalty kill than the power play. That said he'd be great behind the bench.

The problem of course is multiple teams need a new head coach. His old team in Dallas has a vacancy. Philadelphia and Detroit have a vacancy. Whomever doesn't get Trotz between Winnipeg and Vegas will probably interview him. I only see him coming to Montreal if he misses out on those jobs and doesn't plan to stay in St. Louis.

Agree, I do think Philly with take a long look at him for there HC position. If he doesn't get the job, make him the highest paid for an Assistant Coach in the league.

An other think I like, it's that he did a create a winning culture with Dubuque and Denver in the USHL and the NCAA, so he would help MSL in that department too. The Broncos in the NFL where even impress with what he did with Denver.

He's the guy who run the PP with the Blues and they have one of the best PP in the league, so I think he would bring a lot to the PP too.