FREE AGENT: Blitzkrieg? ****UPDATED****

I'm going to preface this story by talking about my philosophy for running the current edition of the Montreal Canadiens. This doesn't necessarily mean that GM Marc Bergevin thinks the same way I do.

To me, the Canadiens have some young talent, and for the most part I would keep that young talent in junior or in Hamilton as long as possible. I would let these young players not only build their chemistry together, but build a dominant winning culture together.

Players like Blake Geoffrion, Aaron Palushaj and Louie Leblanc would not be finding their way onto the NHL roster this season - barring injuries. I would instead fill those roster spots with aging NHL veterans who are willing to take a 1-2 year contract maximum.

I would keep under performing players like Scott Gomez, Rene Bourque and Thomas Kaberle on the NHL roster. I would rather not have them take away playing time from the next generation in Hamilton, nor possibly polluting the young talent with bad habits. I hope they perform at the NHL level, while keeping in mind that if they don't, more strong draft picks are headed my way.



A 23-man NHL roster, is generally comprised of 13 or 14  forwards, 7 or 8 defensemen and 2 goalies.

What do the Canadiens currently have, and what are they looking for?

Currenty the Canadiens have 11 forwards with the big club: Erik Cole, Brian Gionta, Tomas Plekanec, Max Pacioretty, David Desharnais, Travis Moen, Lars Eller, Ryan White, Scott Gomez, Petteri Nokaleinen and Rene Bourque. That leaves room for 2 or 3 more forwards.

They have 7 defenseman: PK Subban, Andrei Markov, Josh Gorges, Tomas Kaberle, Alexei Yemelin, Yannik Weber and Raphael Diaz. That leaves room for at most 1 more - likely Frederic St.Denis.

The Goalie situation is pretty clear-cut. Carey Price and Peter Budaj are set.

Once all the RFA's are signed (C.Price, PK Subban, F. St-Denis, R.Diaz, A.Emelin, A.Palushaj, B.Geoffrion, L.Eller) The Canadiens are left with about 7 million dollars to spend on the UFA market. According to my thought process, they are looking for 3 forwards. 1 to play in the top 6 and 2 to play in the bottom 6. Who would I target, and what will they cost?

1. Jaromir Jagr - RW
Jagr is a fading future Hall-of Famer. He has international experience with Thomas Plekanec. He has won a Stanley Cup. He brings a wealth of experience to the organization. He is no longer the player who was once winning scoring titles year after year, but he is still a dangerous offensive force. Last season he put up 54 points in 73 games. Good enough for 3rd on his team in scoring, 79th in the league. Is he still a superstar? no. But his point totals were better than superstars Dany Heatley, Taylor Hall, and Vincent Lecavlier put up last year. He is big and strong. He is not speedy - but then again, he never has been. Estimated Salary:  $3.5 million.



2. Brandon Prust - LW - SIGNED BY MONTREAL
Prust is a rugged bottom 6 forward. He kills penalties (averaging 1:40 per game on the PK in 2011-2012), He can fight - having been charged with 20 fighting majors last season, but he can also play hockey. Prust averaged over 10 mins a game last season - for a Rangers team that finished 1st in the NHL. He threw 144 hits, took 156 mins in penalties, and scored 2 game winning goals. He is only 28 years old, would take some pressure off of Travis Moen, and is an upgrade on Brad Staubitz. Estimated Salary: $1.8 Million. ($2.5 million - 4 YEARS)




---. Paul Gaustad - C - RE-SIGNED BY NASHVILLE
Gaustad is the elusive Big Centreman the Canadiens need. He can play 3rd or 4th line minutes - averaging over 14 mins per game last season with Nashville/Buffalo. He won 56% of his faceoffs while taking 4 fighting majors and throwing 114 hits. He averaged 2:45 per game on the PK last season. He is 30 years old. Estimated salary: $1.8 million ($3.25 million - 4 YEARS)





3. Zenon Konopka -  C - SIGNED BY MINNESOTA
With Paul Gaustad being re-signed overnight, the Habs should turn their attention to centreman Zenon Konopka. Konopka is 6 feet tall, and like Gaustad can play 3rd or 4th line minutes. He averaged about 8 minutes per game last season with the Ottawa Senators.He is an excellent faceoff man, winning  59.65% of his draws in 2011-2012. He can kill penalties, averaging just under 1 min per game on the PK. He took 18 fighting majors last season, but threw only 54 hits. Konopka is 31 years old. Clearly not the same player as Gaustad, but a cheaper option who is able to fill in many of the same role-playing characteristics the Canadiens lack. Estimated Salary: $1 million ($925 k - 2 YEARS)



Signing Konopka, Prust and Jagr would not only make the Canadiens bigger and stronger, it would also alleviate various pressures off some of their forward group. Konopka and Prust are both game Penalty Killers, which would allow Tomas Plekanec to not be as needed on the PK. They are also both able to fight, which would alleviate the need for Travis Moen and Ryan White to always drop the gloves. Adding them to the bottom 6 forwards also allows a rotation to happen based on varied opponents for players like Petteri Nokelainen.

Jagr brings an immediate threat to a forward group that lacked scoring punch last year. I'd play him on a line with Plekanec and Eller - and drop Gionta onto a line with Gomez and Bourque. Gomez and Gionta have played well in together in the past, and maybe Bourque picks up his game and works for them the same way Pacioretty did 2 years ago.

Addidng these 3 players would give the Canadiens more options for their day to day lineup. It gives them more balanced scoring, more toughness, and more size. Most importantly however, it allows players like Geoffrion, Palushaj and Leblanc more time to dominate in the AHL, and players like Galchenyuck to play another year of Junior.

HABS-TOWN: "I could never hone in on one player to admire for his skill"

I've known Johanna Miller for a few years now. She's a wife, a mom, an athlete and a tweep. I've seen her play softball, and we've actually been on the ice together in a couple of hockey games - so believe me when I tell you - she can play with the boys.

Johanna's career for the last Six and a half years has her working for a well-known hockey manufacturer - the last three of which have been spent working in the marketing department. Her job requires her to be on top of what their endorse e players are doing throughout the season, be it minor and major accomplishments. 

On top of that, the majority of her colleagues are, of course,  Habs fans and are all very devoted to hockey and talking shop the morning after the game.  

For someone who didn't grow up as a spectator of any sport, let alone hockey, I sometimes find myself in the midst of and overdose of hockey before the season even begins. To feel like I'm still in the boys' club I make sure to watch the highlights on TSN before heading off to work, also thanks to my husband I have the basic awareness of what's going on in the league.

The last two seasons have been too much for me, I've been feeling saturated in hockeyville and needed to get away from it all. I will admit, proudly even, that I haven't watched a full Habs game since 2010. In addition, being on maternity leave for the last year has helped me to check-out even more. Do I miss the Habs and hockey in general? Of course I do. But even more so, I miss what the Habs are and what they represent to me as a Montrealer. Thanks to the accessibility of information, the media has helped the special breed of Montreal super fans along in ruining it all for the regular fan who just wants to enjoy a game with a beer in a pub among friends.

Johanna brings us our second look at HABS-TOWN from a female perspective. As some one who works in the sports industry, plays sports herself, and admittedly didn't grow up a sports fan, let alone a hockey one, this should make for a great read - and should show yet again why no matter who you are, what you do or where you come from - this town always comes back to the Habs.

 

What got you into hockey, more specifically the Habs?

I didn't grow up around hockey at all. Being an only child and having a father who was, and still is, a fan of professional wrestling and the PGA, I had a pretty lackluster fan experience growing up. It did get me in to the Forum once in my life to see Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper duke it out, folding chairs, flying elbows and all.





Sure, like every kid in Montreal, we had a couple of hockey sticks in the garage left over from my dad's shinny days but I had no kids on my street to play hockey with. As a kid, this left me with a longing to feel a part of something, what yet, I didn't quite know, but hockey was always a big question mark for me. Sure I learned how to skate early on and even figure skated for a while but the two never met with a stick until I became an adult. This also means that I completely missed the Habs winning the Cup in the early nineties! I honestly had NO idea it was even happening and to this day I wish I wasn't so out of touch.
 
Finally in my early Twenties I had the chance opportunity to play ice hockey in full equipment (borrowed) for the first time with some friends. Why? Because I'm a gamer and I've always been the girl running around competing with the boys. That was all it took, I was hooked from that moment on. I signed up for adult instruction at the 3-on-3 rink in Kirkland and have moved up to now playing in a co-ed beer league. Once I picked up the playing bug it was only natural to kick off watching the Habs.
Simultaneously, my girlfriends were also getting into the Habs which made becoming a fan much easier.

Do you remember your first Habs game? when was it? who took you? What do you remember about it....

I was about 20 when I went to my first Habs game. I won the tickets in a draw at my part-time job and took a work friend with me. The seats were in prime red location; center ice, about half way up the section. I remember sitting in my seat and thinking how amazing it was to finally be at a game, albeit at the Bell Centre, it was so new and big and bright. I couldn't tell you who the Habs played that night but they did win. The feeling of being there brought tv to life for me for the first time. Most people make that connection as kids yet here I was, an adult, making that link and truly appreciating where I was in that moment.

Do you have a favorite Habs player ever? if so, whom, and why?

I could never hone in on one player to admire for his skill. As it was when I started watching I didn't quite have my head wrapped around all the rules of the game. Adding the more complex layer of understanding plays as they are unfolding has only really come to me once I started playing 5-on-5, just a few years back. I guess if I have to qualify a player as favourite I would say that they would have to be good enough, both in talent and personality, to wear their name on your back even after they've left the team (sound advice I picked up from my husband). I've purchase two name and number t-shirts in my life, one is Koivu because he wasn't just a captain on the ice, he was a true citizen of the team and the city. The other name I've worn is Price, yes he's had his ups and downs but I believe that we have the Montreal media and the Habs' super fans to thank for getting into his head. He's got talent with a lot of time to prove it to all the haters.

Where do you like to watch games?

Once upon a time watching the Habs game at the downtown Old Orchard, organized by my girlfriends, was something we'd look forward to for most home games. We'd get a table just as the fans who were attending the game would filter out of the pub, leaving prime seating in front of the big screen. Life changes, work gets busy, boyfriends come and go and we have a baby...its not as easy to meet up for a game, even if I had the desire to watch the Habs.
 
Watching the game at home with my husband is much more my speed. We can watch on the couch, beer in hand and cheap food on our plates not to mention, in our sweat pants.

 

Do you prefer to watch with guys? with girls? why?

I don't have a preference. My girlfriends are truly a rare breed. They don't watch the Habs because they think some of the players are hot. They watch with intensity and spirit for the game, cheering when the moment is right and booing when the refs make a terrible call. Watching the game with guys is a little less pitchy and filled with many more profanities.

 

Do you have any pre-game rituals or in game superstitions?

My ritual is to never do the same thing.

 

What's the best game you ever went to? what do you remember about it?

I would have to say my first game was the best purely for the experience. I don't remember the details of the other games I've been to.

Do you have any funny or interesting stories that are somehow related to the Habs?

In the first round of the 2010 playoff the Habs eliminated the reigning 2009 Stanley Cup Champions the Pittsburgh Penguins. During the playoff run we had a day at the office where we held a contest for the best decorated hockey desk. The winner received a pair of Habs playoff tickets. Because the run was so great many colleagues kept most of their decorative efforts on display.
 
At the very end of the season we started our run of photo shoot with some endorse-es. As part of their visit with us they would spend time with the product development team. I was walking through the office with one such endorse e from the Pittsburgh Penguins when, from behind me, I felt him stop and linger. I turned around to see him taking down some Habs paraphernalia and muttering something about being sent to the golf course prematurely. 


For more from Johanna Miller, check her out on Twitter: @johmiller

2012 Draft - Players to watch for Habs ***updated***

As former Habs head Coach Jacques Martin is fond of doing, I did my research following round 1 of the 2012 NHL draft last night.

The Canadiens hold 2 picks in the second round (33rd and 51st). The later pick was acquired as part of the trade that sent Hal Gill to Nashville in February.

4 names stand out to me as possibilities for the Canadiens to draft. I am profiling them below, as well as the 3 highest ranked locals remaining - After Michael Matheson was drafted by the Panthers.

I am not a Scout. I have not personally seen any of these players play. Therefore any information you read below is coming from credible sources who do this for a living. What I have done is compile information about certain players that I believe Montreal could be looking at. For a complete list of players, and information on many other players that are not mentioned here, please click the links I have provided to the many fantastic sources.

Sebastien Collberg - RW - 5'11/175 - Frolunda (SWE)
Drafted 33rd overall by Montreal 
The 13th ranked draft eligible player according to International Scouting services.
The 14th ranked draft eligible player on McKeen's list.
The 3rd ranked European skater according to NHL Central Scouting
Ranked #27 overall by TSN's Craig Button & by TSN's Bob McKenzie.

• Collberg split the 2011-12 season between Frolunda’s junior and Elitserien squads. He totaled 17 points (9-8--17) in 21 games -- and also appeared in two postseason contests -- for the junior team.

• In 2010-11, he recorded 44 points (21-23--44) for Frolunda’s junior squad, plus another nine points (4-5--9) in seven playoff games.

• Collberg competed for Team Sweden at the 2012 Under-18 and World Junior Championships. He tied for the team lead with nine points (4-5--9) at the Under-18 tournament as Sweden took home a silver medal, and ranked second for his country with seven points (4-3--7) at the World Junior Championship, helping Sweden capture gold.





"Sebastien can play in multiple offensive situations and contribute in different ways. He's very versatile and is comfortable in a straight ahead skill game or one that is heavier with more physical play. He is a very good skater who can beat defenders 1-1 because he has a change of pace as well as having a desire to get offensive opportunities. He plays in traffic and maintains a focus despite knowing that he may be entering the danger zone. He has a very good focus offensively and is tenacious with the puck and he has the knack for getting the puck 'settled down' and in position to make a good shot. Despite not being a big player, he battles in traffic and along boards and doesn't defer or take an easier path. He has good awareness and sense and can make plays and while he likes to shoot, he's not one dimensional. He's a reliable player in the sense that you know you will get his best efforts despite what the challenges or obstacles may be. " - Craig Button

For a more detailed look at Sebastien Collberg, please check out this excellent profile on him by Christopher Ralph of The Hockey Writers. Sebastien Collberg THW: Close Up

Matt Finn - D - 6'0/195 - Guelph (OHL)
Drafted 35th overall by Toronto  
The 18th ranked draft eligible player according to International Scouting services.
The 20th ranked draft eligible player on McKeen's list.
The 16th ranked North American skater according to NHL Central Scouting
Ranked #9 overall by TSN's Craig Button & 21st by TSN's Bob McKenzie.

• In 2011-12, Finn led the Guelph Storm and finished sixth overall in the Ontario Hockey League in scoring among defensemen. He recorded 48 points (10-38--48) in 61 games and was named the Storm’s Most Valuable Player and Top Defenseman for the season.

• His cousin, Carlo Colaiacovo, currently plays for the St. Louis Blues and was drafted 17th overall in 2001 by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

• He won a gold medal with Team Ontario the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge recording a goal and six penalty minutes in six games. Team Ontario had several 2012 draft prospects including: Andreas Athanasiou (No. 40-ranked), Brendan Gaunce (No. 13-ranked) and Slater Koekkoek (No. 23-ranked).

• In 2009-10, Finn recorded 57 points (22-35--57) in 79 games on a Toronto Marlboro’s team that featured fellow prospects Scott Kosmachuk (No. 24-ranked), Adam Pelech (No. 120-ranked) and Scott Laughton (No. 28-ranked). 

"Matthew is not going to show up in highlight videos on any type of a regular basis. It's not in his game to be flashy but it is his game to be incredibly effective. That effectiveness translates into every area of the game and all of its situations. Simply put, he is a player who completes plays. He does it with the puck. Defensively in getting the puck out of danger. Offensively in reading the play and getting the puck to areas where his team can attack. He is superb in transition and can do it skating with the puck or passing the puck. He does it without the puck. He has very good body positioning and stick position where he can keep opponents at bay. His skating is strong in all regards and he asserts with his body & with excellent lower body strength and balance, he's a hard player to gain an advantage on. He has excellent sense and understands what is unfolding and what the appropriate response should be. He has great poise playing and the challenges of the game do not faze him in any way. He is a player who makes teams stronger." - Craig Button

For a more detailed look at Matt Finn, please check out this excellent profile on him by Carl Maloney of The Hockey Writers. Matt Finn THW: Close Up

Pontus Aberg - LW - 5'11/195 - Djurgardens (SWE)
Drafted 37th overall by Nashville  
The 20th ranked draft eligible player according to International Scouting services.
The 28th ranked draft eligible player on McKeen's list.
The 6th ranked European skater according to NHL Central Scouting
Ranked #33 overall by TSN's Craig Button & 37th by TSN's Bob McKenzie.

"Pontus is a prototypical goal scoring winger. He has good speed and uses a burst of quickness to break free and get to scoring position either with the puck or to get the puck. He reads the play well and doesn't get himself unnecessarily 'tangled' up in traffic and he gets to scoring position at opportune times to take advantage of his skills. He is able to handle the puck in tight areas and around the net and finds ways to free his stick to make a play on the puck. He's not going to overpower a goalie with his shot but he has an accurate shot and can maneuver his hands to give himself a better opportunity or to open up a part of the net. He will make plays and that allows him to not be a one-dimensional player. He gets involved in the hard areas and will pay a price to score and he competes for his chances. Overall, he is a player who wants to score and can be productive in an offensive role." - Craig Button



For a more detailed look at  Pontus Aberg, please check out this excellent profile on him by Ryan Pike of The Hockey Writers. Pontus Aberg THW: Close Up

Colton Sissons - C - 6'0/190 - Kelowna (WHL)
Drafted 50th overall by Nashville 
The 25th ranked draft eligible player according to International Scouting services.
The 29th ranked draft eligible player on McKeen's list.
The 14th ranked North American skater according to NHL Central Scouting
He was Ranked #33 overall by TSN's Bob Mckenzie & was not ranked by TSN's Craig Button.

• He finished the season second on the Rockets in scoring with 26 goals which included a team-high 13 power-play tallies. Sissons’ matched his rookie point total (41) in five fewer games this season (58).

• In 2010-11, Sissons finished 12th overall in rookie scoring and second overall on the Kelowna Rockets with 41 points (17-24--41) in 63 games. He finished with a plus-15 rating, the highest on the team.

• Prior to making the jump to the Western Hockey League, he competed for the BCHL’s Westside Warriors in Junior A – he recorded six goals and 22 points (6-16--22) in 58 games.

• As the youngest forward on the Vancouver Northwest Giants in 2008-09, he finished with 54 points, fifth overall in the league, helping the team win the BC Major Midget League Championships -- 2011 first overall selection, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, was a teammate on the Giants.

• A fan of the Food Network, he is a self proclaimed “fantastic cook”.• In 2011-12, Finn led the Guelph Storm and finished sixth overall in the Ontario Hockey League in scoring among defensemen. He recorded 48 points (10-38--48) in 61 games and was named the Storm’s Most Valuable Player and Top Defenseman for the season.



"Colton is a straight ahead up and down winger. There is not one area of his game that stands out but he is consistent in his effort and plays a dependable and responsible game. He works hard and plays with a tenacity that can wear down opponents. His skating is good and along with strong balance, it allows him to play strong along the boards and in 1-1 physical battles. He's not punishing but is hard on the puck and engages physically to create opportunities for his team. Very good sense and feel for the game and he plays within his strengths and understands the subtle plays and how to make them and knows they are plays that help a team be successful. He is not a prolific scorer but he can make the plays that help a team create scoring chances. Going to the net without the puck, winning 1-1 battles along the boards, being strong on the fore check are a few examples of how Colton contributes to a team. He's a leader by example who is not flashy but he makes others around him better and helps his team be successful. " - Craig Button

For a more detailed look at Colton Sissons, please check out this excellent profile on him by Ross Bonander of The Hockey Writers. Colton Sissons THW: Close Up.





There are also 3 highly ranked Local prospects to keep your eye on.

Christophe Lalancette from Roberval, QC is the 62nd ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. He plays RW for Acadie-Bathurst in the QMJHL. Drafted 109th overall by San Jose.

Ryan Culkin from Montreal, QC is the 66th ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. He plays D for the Quebec Ramparts in the QMJHL. Drafted 124th overall by Calgary.

Kevin Roy from Greenfield Park, QC is then 78th ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. He plays C for Lincoln of the USHL. Drafted 97th overall by Anaheim.

Meet the "new" boss...

When training camp starts in September, Andrei Markov is likely to be the first through the door. He'll be wanting to test out his knee, get everything set for the season and meet the new bench boss. Markov you see, who has played his entire NHL career for the Montreal Canadiens, has played for this boss before.

At 11:48 pm last night, TSN's Darren Dreger sent out a tweet; "The Montreal Canadiens have made their coaching decision. Its believed Michel Therrien is the man. Announcement in the next 24-48 hrs."

And with that, what is old is new again. "Mike" is back to being "Michel", a defense-first system is in place for the season, a good teacher for young players in behind the bench, and a mustard yellow suit will be back into play.

Hab fans didn't seem to be too excited by the news, if the Twitter-verse is much indication. Jay Baruchel writer and star of the recently released film "GOON" and ardent Habs fan summed up the feelings of many "I leave twitter for 2 hours to finish work for the day and this is what happens? Einstein would call this the definition of something."



Let's not mistake things, the Michel Therrien that steps behind the Habs bench in September is not the same Coach that left Montreal in 2003.He has coached close to 300 NHL games since then. He groomed some of the league's youngest and brightest stars. He's been to a Stanley Cup Final.


No, this is not the same Michel Therrien. This one is more experienced and is more prepared for the Challenge of coaching in Montreal.

A few days ago when TSN's Bob McKenzie  tweeted the other day that "Now that Bob Hartley is new head coach in CGY, MTL job is down to Michel Therrien or Marc Crawford." I wrote a piece where I discussed why I felt Crawford would be the better of the two choices for this group of Canadiens.

I am not against Michel Therrien, I think he is a better coach now than when he was last in Montreal, but I think it's time for a different face here. After Martin, Julien, Therrien and Vigneault it's time to bring in an offensive coach, not ask a coach to change his style.

Hal Gill: "The message (from the coaching staff) was we need to play as a team with their system. I tried to preach it but the hard part was we didn’t play to guys’ strengths. With Gomez, you don’t expect him to chip it up the boards, you want him to come back and pick it up. If he can’t do that, he can’t be effective."



Therrien preaches defense, Crawford preaches offense. Therrien throws players' under the bus, Crawford protects his players. Therrien has been to a Stanley Cup Final, Crawford has won a Stanley Cup. Therrien has coached here before, Crawford is dying to coach here once - evidenced by the fact that he is taking French lessons just to interview for the job.

Is it possible that Marc Bergevin will ask Therrien to open up his style more and press the attack? Yes it is. Is it possible Therrien's style may have evolved on it's own? of course. In my estimation though, an experienced, Stanley cup winning, offense oriented guy is available and he's the right guy for the job. Moreso then a guy whose style needs to change.

Michel Therrien has many excellent qualities. Mainly that he is known as being fantastic with young players. See his work in the QMJHL, with Hershey in the AHL, and with young Penguins and Habs' teams in the NHL. He has a fiery personality - something we haven't seen in Montreal since he left. He has good communication and bench management skills. He is a good hockey Coach.

I don't feel that he's the best man for the team of Habs as currently assembled, but the roster can still be tweaked, I've been wrong before, and I am certainly willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Playing with Fire

Recently traded ex-Habs Hal Gill and Jaroslav Spacek talked about the system that former Coach Jacques Martin employed with the Montreal Gazette's Dave Stubbs. Spacek: "I think we played too much of a defensive system, I didn’t like that. I think it was even boring to watch us, to be honest. To be very honest. Come on, at home, we play like this? I think it was boring a little bit. At the end of the night, if you win 2-1, nobody cares. It’s a win. But there weren’t too many games that we win 5-2, 6-4, wide-open games in which you just had fun. There weren’t too many like that." Hal Gill elaborated "The message (from the coaching staff) was we need to play as a team with their system. I tried to preach it but the hard part was we didn’t play to guys’ strengths. With Gomez, you don’t expect him to chip it up the boards, you want him to come back and pick it up. If he can’t do that, he can’t be effective."

Speculation from many is that Scott Gomez will be buried in Hamilton this season. That very well could be the case. His salary is an albatross on the books. At his best performance levels, Scott Gomez will never live up to that salary, and in Montreal we have barely seen his best. I see things differently, I'd like to see a coach come in that allows the players to play to their strengths.Gives players properly defined roles. A coach who can be systematic when necessary, but knows how to open things up too. Give that kind of coach to the players - like Gomez - and then see what they can do. If he still doesn't perform, then bury him. But first, I'd bring in Marc Crawford.

  


In an article for the Hockey News a few years back, former NHL General Manager Mike Smith discussed "what makes a good coach".

For the purposes of the article, Smith interviewed multiple people from various sports, one of whom was former Canadiens GM Serge Savard. The same Serge Savard who currently has the ear of Canadiens owner Geoff Molson. Savard told Smith that “The coach has to treat everyone with respect – they will respect him in return.”



Savard, in a separate interview, told TSN 990's Mitch Melnick that the coach must speak French - the same way in his view that he must speak English. Crawford speaks both languages.

New Assistant General Manager Rick Dudley told Tony Marinaro that one of the qualities that is essential for the next Coach of the Canadiens is that he be a teacher. (A quality that GM Marc Bergevin said was apparent in all the candidates that have been interviewed.)

TSN's Bob McKenzie who doesn't usually get these things wrong, tweeted the other day that "Now that Bob Hartley is new head coach in CGY, MTL job is down to Michel Therrien or Marc Crawford."
I am not against Michel Therrien, I think he is a better coach now than when he was last in Montreal, but I think it's time for a different face here. After Martin, Julien, Therrien and Vigneault it's time to bring in an offensive coach, not ask a coach to change his style.

Therrien preaches defense, Crawford preaches offense. Therrien throws players' under the bus, Crawford protects his players. Therrien has been to a Stanley Cup Final, Crawford has won a Stanley Cup. Therrien has coached here before, Crawford is dying to coach here once - evidenced by the fact that he is taking French lessons just to interview for the job.

Marc Crawford won the Jack Adams award as the NHL's best Coach in 1995. He won a Stanley Cup with Colorado 1 year later. Since his first coaching job (with Quebec) 18 seasons ago, Crawford has only been out of the league 2 seasons - never having to wait too long to be hired again. He has coached his teams to a career record of 549-421-103-78, a winning percentage .556.




The Canadiens are a young team with only one direction to move - up. Crawford has been in this situation before. In Quebec he came on coaching a promising young team and took them to a Stanley cup. In Vancouver, he took a rebuilding team from the cellar to first in the division. Crawford slowly developed the Canucks into a successful regular season team, emphasizing a fast-paced and offensive style of play. Although his Vancouver teams' ultimately did not fare well in the playoffs, his coaching record in Vancouver still ranks tops among that franchise's history.

After years of Stoic personalities behind the bench, Martin, Gainey, Julien, the Canadiens players seem to be dying for a passionate coach with a bit of bite. I believe that is why many of them talk so positively about Kirk Muller and Randy Cunneyworth.



After Guy Carbonneau and Mario Tremblay as coaches, it became evident to many watching that Montreal is no place for a rookie head coach. No place for a coach who is solely a motivator not a strategist, and no place for a coach who throws his own players under the bus.



Either way, it seems as though Hab-fans are about to get a fiery personality here, and that is something I can get behind. It's time to see the Habs play with some fire - like they started to behind Coach Cunney.