The Bull Therrien

Okay I remember the time Ron Wilson mocked opposing coach Michel Therrien when he saw Therrien using  a sketch board to outline strategy. Wilson made everyone aware he didn't think Therrien had any idea about hockey strategy. Well maybe he didn't and still doesn't. Jacques Martin could not be accused of lacking strategic comprehension, but the habs started going downhill with that so-called know-how. Ron Wilson and all his supposed hockey savvy couldn't lift the Leafs out of their slumber and is now out of a job.

So what does Michel Therrien bring to the job and why was he so highly thought of by Marc Bergevin. Outward appearances show a thuglike demeanor.  Ex players like Terry Ryan call him an ignoramus. However, there seems to be a split opinion as others like Sydney Crosby and Maxime Talbot seem to give Therrien credit for turning the Penguins around.

Therrien's background was initially as a junior coach and then four years as an AHL coach in the Habs organization. Therrien's first run with the Canadiens lasted only two and a half seasons. One of the few trades under his regime was to bring in Gino Odjick for PJ Stock. This is not a big surprise as Stock once related on the radio how Therrien had sent out his goons to get Stock when Therrien was a junior coach. The habs of that era also had Aaron Asham and Enrico Ciccone. It is one thing to finish last but what I truly detested about the habs the last two seasons is that they were soft and manhandled by most of the rugged teams. If past history holds true, Michel Therrien will not allow that. We can expect some rugged players to be in the habs line-up. We can also expect some quick reprisals if players crash into Price or one of the star players on the Habs is injured by a cheap shot.

I sure hope Michel Therrien surrounds himself with experienced assistant coaches. My thoughts are still centered around Larry Robinson and maybe a Mario Tremblay.  The Canadiens have a lot of talented young defencemen and Robinson seems to have proven in his period with New Jersey he can mold defencemen. Since Robinson let it be known he wanted to coach in Montreal I really think he is owed a shot as much as Gainey was. Mario Tremblay was unprepared and reckless in his head coaching stint with the habs, but after being mentored  by Jacques Lemaire for many years, I think even Tremblay must have learned something. One thing all three bring is Habs pride.

I am not that offended by the firings of Randy Cunneyworth and Randy Ladouceur. Frankly, they did not prove much during their year here and the team did not respond to them. Even though Molson said he made a mistake by not hiring a french speaking coach, if Cunneyworth had turned the team around he would still be the coach. Molson looked even worse when the team went into the toilet during the last half of the season.  The organization had no option but to let the two Randy's go.

Were there better candidates then Michel Therrien? I would have preferred Jacques Lemaire or Larry Robinson. I am not sure either one wanted the head coaching job at their age and the pressure the job entails. Even though he was a press and crowd favorite, I think Patrick Roy may have been a good coach as well. He has been learning the ropes head coaching in junior for many years and he would certainly have had the respect of the habs players. Roy's personality somewhat fiery and combative is similar to Therrien's. Let's give the Bull Therrien a chance but keep him on a short leash.