The ‘bleu, blanc et rouge” are expected to name Jacques Martin as the team’s new head coach later this afternoon. Martin will take over from Bob Gainey behind the bench after Gainey replaced Guy Carbonneau late last season.
Montreal Canadiens 26th head coach, Jacques Martin
Today’s news is a bit disappointing for this Habs fan. Martin is a proven and qualified coach to be sure (517 wins and 406 losses in 14 seasons with St. Louis, Ottawa and Florida), but he is not the big name I was expecting. I really had my heart set on Larry Robinson or Jacques Lemaire, but any coach with a ring on his finger would have been acceptable.
Despite his regular season successes, Martin has only advanced past the second round of the playoffs one time in his career. His won-loss record in the post-season is less than stellar (38-47) and coached two conference champions (and a division champion) to first round playoff defeats.
The last thing the Canadiens need is another coach who can get them to the playoffs, but can’t do anything once they get there. The team needs a motivator with past playoff successes who can lead the team back to its rightful place at the top of the NHL.
Martin is not the worst coach in the league and today’s anouncement is not the end of the world, but I don’t think he is the man that will bring Lord Stanley’s mug back home where it belongs.
