Yves on Habs » Coaching

Jacques Martin is feeling rejuvenated

Yves — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:30:00 +0000

Read an article on the RDS website about Jacques Martin and how he’s feeling rejuvenated.

He goes on to say that he finds being the coach of the Montreal Canadiens very exciting where there is such a great passion with the fans, the media and the players.

Hey Jacques, just wait ’till the season starts and you loose 3 in a row… and if your captain doesn’t speak… well never mind. You’ll figure it out.

Matin says that in Price he is impressed by his passion and that he’s highly talented.

He’s also met with Gomez, Cammalleri, Gionta, Mara and Moen.

Read the article “Jacques Martin: Je me sens rajeuni” on RDS.

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Big G and the new team

Yves — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:12:00 +0000

I’ve heard it too… Georges Laraque seems to still have a bad back. That puts some question marks in the minds of some as to how he will be used and how effectively.

Personally, I’m of the attitude of “let’s wait and see”.

I’m still both surprised and pleased at the extent which Gainey has been able to change the face of the team. I simply could not have guessed that none of the UFAs would be back… and that that so many would have signed to play.

Now, back to Laraque.

I was VERY happy when Gainey went out to get him last year. Really, I was. I used to love watching the Oilers (yeah…. well…. I love NHL hockey you know!) when the young Laraque steamrolled through opposing players against the boards to get the puck.

I remember seeing him in an Oilers playoff run some years ago go through 3 Dallas players to grab the puck in the corner. I was impressed.

Last year was a disappointment. It was a disappointment for many fans and I’m quite sure it was a disappointment for George himself. I think he was likely disappointed for 2 reasons.

1 – He was looking forward to coming back to Montreal and playing for the hometown crowd… and seemed to have a great attitude in taking his place with all the media attention the team gets. Injuries took their toll and limited his play through some of the season.

2 – I’m not sure he was placed in a situation where the coach at the time knew how to use him in the lineup.. as sometimes it seemed as though Carbo would try to skate 3 offensive lines.. and really, I’m not sure he fit in that team. He didn’t seem to have a role.

I think he may have a role on the team this year. We still may not be talking major minutes. But I think Martin will know how and when to use Laraque during games. Martin is an experienced coach, and he’s had various “tough” guys in his lineups.

I’m really hoping that Laraque is healthy come training camp. I think he’s got something to give the team if used properly… I also think he’s got value in the dressing room.

I’m cheerin’ for you Georges!

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Jarvis out, Muller in… Don Lever and more to come

Yves — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:58:00 +0000

I must say that I never saw Jacques Martin coming on as the new head coach of the Montreal Canadiens…. never ever would have guessed…

I know, I know.. this is terribly old news.

It was announced that Jarvis has been let go…. I personally thought that might happen…

Kirk Muller stays on… some people had said that he wouldn’t make it… but from what I read and heard, he was popular with the players… glad he’s staying on.

Don Lever. Mr Lever… you’re a fantastic coach and I really wish you would have made it on to the Montreal Canadiens coaching staff this season. Really…

Don Lever was let go as was Ron Wilson. This surprised me… honestly. Don Lever seemed to be of high value… and it wasn’t hype… the guy is a fantastic coach. I was hoping Don Lever would get the nod as an assistant.

I must say, with the draft coming up only days away, the Montreal Canadiens are certainly looking different then they did the last couple of years… new owners, new coaching staff… and one can certainly imagine there will be different faces filling spots that were held by (pending… for now) UFAs.

It’s an interesting time.

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Gainey’s day one

Yves — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:47:00 +0000

The post-Carbonneau era begins today.

Doesn’t that sound strange??

Don Lever comes in as an assistant. I like that. Lever has some serious coaching experience.

I was so surprised that it happened yesterday….

Anyway, Gainey had his first team practice today… interesting quotes.

Mathieu Dandenault will be in the lineup tonight… here’s what he had to say about Gainey:

“Bob has a gift of making any player feel like they’re the best player in the world,” explained Dandenault. “He’s always direct and you always know what to expect from him. Even down to the role players, it’s important to Bob to let them know they are an important part of the team.”

- Manny Almela for canadiens.com
http://canadiens.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=413205

We’ve heard that Carbonneau didn’t communicate a whole lot with the team…. Gainey’s style will be very different. From hearing Dandenault being frustrated not playing and thinking trade… to having him being made feel part of the team…

It’s quite possible if Gainey can get all the team to feel very important in their roles that we could see some interesting results…. team toughness….. being emotionally involved… I think Gainey is workin’ towards it.

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Carbonneau fired

Yves — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:58:00 +0000

Wow.

I’m shocked.

Not really shocked because Carbonneau was fired, but that he was fired now and not earlier.

I figured he would at least last the end of the season and then…. open season. But I guess Gainey figured it was time to send a strong message to the players. Gainey’s taking over the bench and I really think that should fire up the troops. Big time.

He’ll obviously be able to evaluate all the UFAs himself first hand being behind the bench.

This is an interesting move…. and gets me wondering about next year… and about how the team will respond tomorrow night VS Edmonton. If the players really didn’t want to play for Carbonneau anymore then they got their wish. I expect the players to come out hard for the new coach.

So this move opens the door for someone else next year.. who could it be? Bob Hartley is the name I’ve heard alot in various media shows on RDS and Team990…

I think Bob Hartley would be an interesting choice… but I’m not exactly sure who my pick would be.. mostly because I haven’t spent any time thinking about it until now. I actually like Gainey himself behind the bench.

There are reports that Don Lever who is the head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs will be joining Gainey as an assistant. Could that open the door for Don Lever?

I feel for Carbonneau. I was a big fan of his during his many years in the Canadiens uniform. Carbonneau was a true “Montreal Canadien”… I always appreciated how he worked hard… blocked shots and although he scored alot in juniors became a shutdown player in the NHL. But this season which was the centennial year in Montreal became a bit of a train wreck… and Carbo one of the casualties.

Communication problems were sighted in some reports. I think Gainey will do well as interim. This certainly adds to my already hightened interest in how the team is doing going into the playoff stretch.

Amazing.

And, here are some links to a bunch of articles posted on the subject.

Carbonneau Fired!
By Justin on Your Habs

Carbonneau congédié

By RDS.ca

Ce n’est jamais une bonne décision
By Michel Bergeron on RDS.ca

Le règne de Carbonneau à Montreal
By RDS.ca

Gainey Gasses His “Best Acquisition” After Win In Dallas
By Robert L

Guy Carbonneau Needed More Lucky Ties
By Dennis Kane

Gainey takes over as head coach
By Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Fire Head Coach Carbonneau

By Spector’s Blog