The Canadiens shocked the hockey world yesterday when they fired head coach Michel Therrien and replaced him with the recently-fired Claude Julien. We learned at least one new detail this afternoon, as NHL.com’s Dave Stubbs passes along (via Twitter) that Julien inked a five-year contract (not including this season). This will presumably keep Julien in the organization at least through the 2021-22 season.
Following the Canadiens’ sudden moves, general manager Marc Bergevin met with the media to discuss the drastic changes this afternoon.
Thanks to the Montreal Gazette and Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo.com, we’ve compiled several of his notable remarks below:
On the firing of Therrien:
“Michel and I worked very closely together over the past five years. We fought some big battles and experienced strong emotions together. And above all, we always demonstrated integrity in our dealings with each other and with the Montreal Canadiens organization. Those who know me, I am engaged body and soul with my team. I will never think twice about going down in the trenches and fighting alongside them, players and coaches. This is what I’ve always done with Michel and I will do with Claude and this is why the decision was all the more difficult.”
On the decision to swap coaches:
“I’ve reached the conclusion that we were at a turning point for our team and that’s why I decided to make this change in the club’s best interests. I’m convinced that in hiring Claude Julien we are getting one of the best coaches in the NHL. In my estimation, to this point we have reached, Claude is the best man to help reach our goal. Claude has proved his worth.”
On whether Julien being fired in Boston influenced the firing of Therrien:
“I didn’t make my decision based on how Boston operates…[w]e were at a turning point for our team. We’re just not playing our game. There was something missing.”
That last statement is at least partially false on Bergevin’s part. Julien being available certainly made the decision easier. I firmly believe that if Julien were still in Boston, Therrien would have received at least another few games to try and turn it around.
Possibly, but the timing was also right for a move with their week off, gives the new coach several days to get acclimated and hold some practices before their first game. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Gallant or someone else had replaced him this week in the event Julien hadn’t been fired.