Confirmed with Link: Pascal Vincent become assistant coach to Kraken (Search For New Coach Talk)

[HabsFanInNashville]

His views on Florian. Love reading this.


I wish him well with the Kraken.

 

[Runner77]

His views on Florian. Love reading this.


I wish him well with the Kraken.

Never trust a guy with two first names.

He was such a « big fan » of Florian that he stuck him on a 4th line all season long playing on a line with low ceiling types, where the only saving grace is how he got to see time on PP2.

Was the decision to deploy Florian in this manner, his alone, was it taken in conjunction with Habs brass or was there some kind of directive coming from Laval’s GM? We’ll never know. That’s what he should have been asked but sadly, we don’t have that kind of media in Montreal.

 

[Tyson]

Never trust a guy with two first names.

He was such a « big fan » of Florian that he stuck him on a 4th line all season long playing on a line with low ceiling types, where the only saving grace is how he got to see time on PP2.

Was the decision to deploy Florian in this manner, his alone, was it taken in conjunction with Habs brass or was there some kind of directive coming from Laval’s GM? We’ll never know. That’s what he should have been asked but sadly, we don’t have that kind of media in Montreal.

I never thought Vincent short changed Florian in Any way. He played a ton, in all situations, key face offs in the last minute of games.
I actually think Vincent developed him properly.

 

[Runner77]

I never thought Vincent short changed Florian in Any way. He played a ton, in all situations, key face offs in the last minute of games.
I actually think Vincent developed him properly.

Playing a guy on a 4th like with plugs all season long, limited his development, that’s where the bulk of his minutes came from.

If you have a player that the org is counting on to make the jump at the next camp, you give him minutes with better linemates and use him on the first PP wave. Vincent was giving prime minutes to career minor leaguers. I don’t know if the decision was all his, I just thought the Rocket did not deploy him in a manner to fully advantage his development.

We’ll agree to disagree, good Sir. One of the rare times, I may add.

 

[Tyson]

Playing a guy on a 4th like with plugs all season long, limited his development, that’s where the bulk of his minutes came from.

If you have a player that the org is counting on to make the jump at the next camp, you give him minutes with better linemates and use him on the first PP wave. Vincent was giving prime minutes to career minor leaguers. I don’t know if the decision was all his, I just thought the Rocket did not deploy him in a manner to fully advantage his development.

We’ll agree to disagree, good Sir. One of the rare times, I may add.

% brother, it is healthy to disagree on occasion.

WW2 General Patton had a saying- "if everyone is thinking alike then someone isn't thinking"

 

[Steve Shutt]

So who are the top candidates to coach Laval next season?

 

[Treb]

So who are the top candidates to coach Laval next season?

Sylvain Favreau is the favorite. Apparently he was on the shortlist last time in IMO should have been the pick instead of Vincent.

 

[Steve Shutt]

I asked AI Gemini who are the top candidates to become the next Head Coach of Laval. Here's what it shared:


Following the departure of Pascal Vincent—who left the organization to join the NHL's Seattle Kraken as an assistant coach—the Montreal Canadiens are actively searching for the next head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket.

With the vacancy opening up ahead of the upcoming season, several prominent names from both the professional and major junior ranks have immediately emerged as top candidates.

The Inside Front-Runner​

Daniel Jacob​

• Current Role: Assistant Coach, Laval Rocket
• The Outlook: Jacob is widely considered the strongest internal candidate to succeed Vincent. Having spent multiple seasons behind the bench in Laval as an assistant coach, he possesses an intimate knowledge of the Montreal Canadiens' development system, the AHL landscape, and the current roster of prospects. Insiders view him as highly respected within the organization and fully prepared to make the leap to a head coaching role.

Experienced Professional Options​

Benoit Groulx​

• Background: Former Head Coach of the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) and Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL)
• The Outlook: If management prioritizes a proven, heavy-hitting resume at the professional level, Groulx is the premier choice. He spent seven highly successful seasons leading Syracuse, establishing himself as one of the AHL’s most respected tactical minds while consistently graduating talent to the Tampa Bay Lightning. A return to Quebec to steer a premier developmental system is a logical match for both sides.

Top Major Junior (QMJHL) Contenders​

The Montreal organization frequently looks to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for coaching talent well-versed in mentoring young, French-speaking prospects.

Sylvain Favreau​

• Current Role: Head Coach, Drummondville Voltigeurs
• The Outlook: Favreau is currently one of the hottest coaching commodities in Canadian junior hockey. After guiding the Halifax Mooseheads to a league final, he led Drummondville to a QMJHL Championship. He is highly regarded for building structured, disciplined environments that focus heavily on individual player progression.

Daniel Renaud​

• Background: Longtime QMJHL Head Coach
• The Outlook: Renaud has built a reputation as a steady, reliable developmental coach. His name has consistently circulated in industry circles as someone capable of making the jump to the professional ranks.

Yanick Jean & Steve Hartley​

• Background: Veteran QMJHL Coaches
• The Outlook: Both Jean and Hartley bring deep roots in Quebec major junior hockey. Jean is known for his longevity and structural consistency, while Hartley has a proven track record of championship experience at the junior level. Both are viewed as strong dark-horse candidates if the Canadiens decide to conduct an extensive interview process.

 

[Vachon23]

I asked AI Gemini who are the top candidates to become the next Head Coach of Laval. Here's what it shared:


Following the departure of Pascal Vincent—who left the organization to join the NHL's Seattle Kraken as an assistant coach—the Montreal Canadiens are actively searching for the next head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket.

With the vacancy opening up ahead of the upcoming season, several prominent names from both the professional and major junior ranks have immediately emerged as top candidates.

The Inside Front-Runner​

Daniel Jacob​

• Current Role: Assistant Coach, Laval Rocket
• The Outlook: Jacob is widely considered the strongest internal candidate to succeed Vincent. Having spent multiple seasons behind the bench in Laval as an assistant coach, he possesses an intimate knowledge of the Montreal Canadiens' development system, the AHL landscape, and the current roster of prospects. Insiders view him as highly respected within the organization and fully prepared to make the leap to a head coaching role.

Experienced Professional Options​

Benoit Groulx​

• Background: Former Head Coach of the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) and Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL)
• The Outlook: If management prioritizes a proven, heavy-hitting resume at the professional level, Groulx is the premier choice. He spent seven highly successful seasons leading Syracuse, establishing himself as one of the AHL’s most respected tactical minds while consistently graduating talent to the Tampa Bay Lightning. A return to Quebec to steer a premier developmental system is a logical match for both sides.

Top Major Junior (QMJHL) Contenders​

The Montreal organization frequently looks to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for coaching talent well-versed in mentoring young, French-speaking prospects.

Sylvain Favreau​

• Current Role: Head Coach, Drummondville Voltigeurs
• The Outlook: Favreau is currently one of the hottest coaching commodities in Canadian junior hockey. After guiding the Halifax Mooseheads to a league final, he led Drummondville to a QMJHL Championship. He is highly regarded for building structured, disciplined environments that focus heavily on individual player progression.

Daniel Renaud​

• Background: Longtime QMJHL Head Coach
• The Outlook: Renaud has built a reputation as a steady, reliable developmental coach. His name has consistently circulated in industry circles as someone capable of making the jump to the professional ranks.

Yanick Jean & Steve Hartley​

• Background: Veteran QMJHL Coaches
• The Outlook: Both Jean and Hartley bring deep roots in Quebec major junior hockey. Jean is known for his longevity and structural consistency, while Hartley has a proven track record of championship experience at the junior level. Both are viewed as strong dark-horse candidates if the Canadiens decide to conduct an extensive interview process.

I would be very surprise if they hire Groulx or Yannik Jean.

Not the type of coach this management is looking for

 

[Rapala]

I never thought Vincent short changed Florian in Any way. He played a ton, in all situations, key face offs in the last minute of games.
I actually think Vincent developed him properly.

Playing a guy on a 4th like with plugs all season long, limited his development, that’s where the bulk of his minutes came from.

If you have a player that the org is counting on to make the jump at the next camp, you give him minutes with better linemates and use him on the first PP wave. Vincent was giving prime minutes to career minor leaguers. I don’t know if the decision was all his, I just thought the Rocket did not deploy him in a manner to fully advantage his development.

We’ll agree to disagree, good Sir. One of the rare times, I may add.

The funny thing is you are both right for different reasons.
Vincent did use Florian in critical situations showing great trust in the player.
What he didn't do was up his status based on what he gave Laval the previous season.
Beck and Xhekaj were a perfect pairing and should have been sharing duties all season long like they did in the post season the previous year.
Neither player is assured a starting role at center so having versatility on the wing is critical.
He said Beck was probably his best playoff performer two years running and that was over Kapanen.
If we get a 2C I've always voiced my opinion as to which of those two will make the better role player.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Playing a guy on a 4th like with plugs all season long, limited his development, that’s where the bulk of his minutes came from.

If you have a player that the org is counting on to make the jump at the next camp, you give him minutes with better linemates and use him on the first PP wave. Vincent was giving prime minutes to career minor leaguers. I don’t know if the decision was all his, I just thought the Rocket did not deploy him in a manner to fully advantage his development.

We’ll agree to disagree, good Sir. One of the rare times, I may add.

I think Florian did well under the circomstances. The reasons why he didn't have enough icetime and why he was playing on a 4th line, we'll never know. Must have been the gm, not automaticly Pascal. Maybe Pascal says that today because he changed his mind about Florian and today he realise his true value.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Beck and Xhekaj were a perfect pairing and should have been sharing duties all season long like they did in the post season the previous year.
Neither player is assured a starting role at center so having versatility on the wing is critical.
He said Beck was probably his best playoff performer two years running and that was over Kapanen.
If we get a 2C I've always voiced my opinion as to which of those two will make the better role player.

I have mixed opinion on which of the 2 I would like the most graduate with the Habs. Could both graduate, one of them or none of them? Habs doesn't seem to have a clear direction about the bottom lines, they signed Evans like a full time patch and they bring back Danault. Texier was bring as a temporary patch that might stick a long time. Kind of reminescence of the Houle/Gainey/Bergevin era.

 

[Runner77]

I think Florian did well under the circomstances. The reasons why he didn't have enough icetime and why he was playing on a 4th line, we'll never know. Must have been the gm, not automaticly Pascal. Maybe Pascal says that today because he changed his mind about Florian and today he realise his true value.

I did make that caveat — could have been an organizational decision, we’ll never know. The fact is Vincent did give much more time to career minor leaguers in the top 6, put them on PP1 and deployed Florian on a 4th line with the team’s worst players all season long.

No one is asking Laval’s GM why this happened when Florian is someone the org appears to envision in the big club’s bottom 6 in the near future. It’s a legitimate question, it seems to me.

 

[Erika Zharovsky]

I did make that caveat — could have been an organizational decision, we’ll never know. The fact is Vincent did give much more time to career minor leaguers in the top 6, put them on PP1 and deployed Florian on a 4th line with the team’s worst players all season long.

No one is asking Laval’s GM why this happened when Florian is someone the org appears to envision in the big club’s bottom 6 in the near future. It’s a legitimate question, it seems to me.

Agreed, I never liked Vincent.
He overplayed scrubs like Simmonneau, Dauphin, Belzile, Farrell, Blais, etc... all AHLers for life.

Pascal Vincent prioritized his own coaching success (aka getting wins) to be able to get back to the NHL, to the detriment of players development like F.Xhekaj, Reinbacher and Mesar to an extent...

Vincent's accomplished what he came for and I blame the organization for giving him too much leverage on that. It almost seemed like Vincent had carte Blanche in his players usage... it was all clear that the Rocket had a winning mentality more than players Development... you could feel it in their marketing campaign and if you attended a few games in Laval... I hated that.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Agreed, I never liked Vincent.
He overplayed scrubs like Simmonneau, Dauphin, Belzile, Farrell, Blais, etc... all AHLers for life.

Pascal Vincent prioritized his own coaching success (aka getting wins) to be able to get back to the NHL, to the detriment of players development like F.Xhekaj, Reinbacher and Mesar to an extent...

Vincent's accomplished what he came for and I blame the organization for giving him too much leverage on that. It almost seemed like Vincent had carte Blanche in his players usage... it was all clear that the Rocket had a winning mentality more than players Development... you could feel it in their marketing campaign and if you attended a few games in Laval... I hated that.

Could be. AHL coaches have to balance development and winning. Have to give the decent AHL lifers a reason to show up or they will go somewhere they have a chance to win. They need a reason to show up - winning. more money or looking towards a coaching career by working with the prospects.

 

[Rapala]

I have mixed opinion on which of the 2 In would like the most graduate with the Habs. Could both graduate, one of them or none of them? Habs doesn't seem to have a clear direction about the bottom lines, they signed Evans like a full time patch and they bring back Danault. Texier was bring as a temporary patch that might stick a long time. Kind of reminescence of the Houle/Gainey/Bergevin era.

We are going to have to wait to see what happens with our roster before camp.
I'm expecting one of Beck or Florian to graduate providing they are both with us next season.
Both still have one more year of availability in Laval which may also play into it.

 

[JadedRandom]

I never thought Vincent short changed Florian in Any way. He played a ton, in all situations, key face offs in the last minute of games.
I actually think Vincent developed him properly.

I, on the contrary, thought Pascal Vincent was doing everything in his power not to develop our players but to win AHL games to try and make his own resume as "shiny" as possible.

I did not mind Pascal Vincent last year, since he was giving more ice-time I feel to younger players. But this year I thought he gave too much ice to his veterans, to the detriment of younger players.

Sean Farrell has his moments, but he's not part of the Canadiens' future, same as Alex Belzile and others like Laurent Dauphin.

Yet they were the ones to see most of the powerplay ice-time instead of guys like Owen Beck and company in Laval.

I get that the Canadiens did not have many talented forward prospects this year in the AHL, and that Beck projects more as a third-liner or even fourth-liner.

Which means that Pascal Vincent would rather Beck try and develop the defensive side of the game and his 5-on-5 play since that's going to be his calling-card to "make it" in the big leagues.

Except that I still think Pascal Vincent could have done more to give some favorable ice-time to players that the Canadiens will actually look towards in coming seasons, like Owen Beck, and yes, Florian Xhekaj, instead of Vincent's AHL veterans and Sean phoque-ing Farrell.

I think we're likely looking at a continuation of Pascal Vincent instead of a more progressive new coach for Laval, but I hope that whomever our management hires ultimately gives more ice-time to younger prospects instead of to hardened veterans.

Next season I want our AHL coach to give more ice to Rohrer, Beck, Xhekaj, Davidson, and Thorpe, if any or all of these guys are still in the AHL for 2026-2027.

Beck and Xhekaj are likely to graduate at training camp this season, same for Engstrom and Reinbacher, and so that means we might have less talent in Laval, but my point stands.

 

[HFFO]

Agreed, I never liked Vincent.
He overplayed scrubs like Simmonneau, Dauphin, Belzile, Farrell, Blais, etc... all AHLers for life.

Pascal Vincent prioritized his own coaching success (aka getting wins) to be able to get back to the NHL, to the detriment of players development like F.Xhekaj, Reinbacher and Mesar to an extent...

Vincent's accomplished what he came for and I blame the organization for giving him too much leverage on that. It almost seemed like Vincent had carte Blanche in his players usage... it was all clear that the Rocket had a winning mentality more than players Development... you could feel it in their marketing campaign and if you attended a few games in Laval... I hated that.

Being on a winning team is a major factor in actually developing.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Being on a winning team is a major factor in actually developing.

It's a factor but not a major one as long as the system used can be successful at the NHL level.

 

[HFFO]

It's a factor but not a major one as long as the system used can be successful at the NHL level.

No, it's genuinely a major factor one of the strongest indicators of future nhl success from players in the program is if they're a contending/winning AHL team. The whole myth of trying to turn the AHL into a development farm that can ignore winning has been destroyed time and time again.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

No, it's genuinely a major factor one of the strongest indicators of future nhl success from players in the program is if they're a contending/winning AHL team. The whole myth of trying to turn the AHL into a development farm that can ignore winning has been destroyed time and time again.

There is no proof of any of that.

 

[HabsAddict]

I said it last year and it's simply a fact that Vinny had one foot out the door looking for NHL job.

As for development, piss poor. His brilliance was to let player play like a wolf pack and try 50s reward and punishment Pavlovian "techniques".

Rein and Eng is still a question mark. No forward graduating to the big club. LX, Beck and Davidson basically still AHLers.

Good riddance. Get a real development coach to restock as we need, not some yahoo who laments how he's stuck in the AHL and the need to win to prove his coaching abilities.

 

[HabsAddict]

Playing a guy on a 4th like with plugs all season long, limited his development, that’s where the bulk of his minutes came from.

If you have a player that the org is counting on to make the jump at the next camp, you give him minutes with better linemates and use him on the first PP wave. Vincent was giving prime minutes to career minor leaguers. I don’t know if the decision was all his, I just thought the Rocket did not deploy him in a manner to fully advantage his development.

We’ll agree to disagree, good Sir. One of the rare times, I may add.

He gave career minor league players more time was more about winning and proof of his "great" coaching.

You never stick a promising prospect on the bottom and wonder why he's still struggling to match what he did last year.

 

[Vachon23]

Who you think it will be and who are the candidates you would interview ?

Here is my list:

Sylvain Favreau
Benoît Desrosiers
Serge Aubin
Stephane Julien
Paul Byron/Alex Burrows

But I would be surprise if Favreau is the one name from what I heard

 

[Bombshell11]

Jachalle Lajoie, lui y est bon