The Canadians have undergone a change in coaching and their new leader is a surprising choice.
Team announced Wednesday that it has fired Dominique Ducharme, who was named to the position less than a year ago. Hours after that move, general manager Kent Hughes announced that the team had hired Hockey Hall of Famer Martin St. Louis as interim coach.
“We would like to sincerely thank Dominique for his work and contribution to the Montreal Canadianiens. At this point in the season, we feel that making the change is in the best interest of the club. club”. Hughes said in a statement.
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Ducharme was sacked a day after the Canadian team suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat by the Reds. The team finished last in the Atlantic Division with a record of 8-30-7. It has conceded 33 goals in the last 5 matches and lost 13 of the last 14 matches.
Ducharme, who was temporarily hired on February 24, 2021, signed a three-year contract with Montreal last July to become the full-time coach. Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the deal is worth $1.75 million per season. LeBrun noted that the team is also paying former coach Claude Julien a salary of $5 million through June 30.
Why did the Canadian team hire Martin St. Louis as an interim coach?
Montreal is having an opportunity on the field of St.Louis, who has no prior coaching experience. The team has lost its pace since losing to Lightning in five games in the Stanley Cup Finals last year.
“We are delighted to welcome Martin to the Canadian organization,” Hughes said. “We’re not just adding an outstanding hockey player, but with Martin we’re delivering a proven winner and a man of competitive quality that has been surpassed by all. through his path of recognition.”
St. Louis will have a chance to turn the tables for the franchise, but his long-term future in Montreal is uncertain. Reports say that that Canada’s plan is for him to be head coach for the remainder of the regular season and then reassess the situation.
The former NHL star served as a special team mentor to the Blue Jackets in 2019. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 after playing 16 seasons with the Lightning, Flames and Rangers. He helped lead Tampa Bay to a Stanley Cup and won the Hart Cup in 2004. The Quebec native won a gold medal with Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
