Michel Therrien is staying with the Montreal Canadiens this season as a scout. His experience in player development could mean good things for the Habs’ future.
For a while it appeared that former head coach of the Montreal Canadiens Michel Therrien would find a new home within the NHL. As mentioned in a previous editorial, his record isn’t as bad as many fans like to think.
Despite having a regular season record of 194-121-37 in the last five years, NHL teams decided against signing Therrien. He did have a conversation with the Florida Panthers this off-season but they ultimately decided to go with Bob Boughner.
It was then expected that Therrien would re-join the on air analyst crew at RDS. The Quebec native had worked there previously after being fired mid-season by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009.
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However fans were surprised when Therrien told TSN Radio’s Tony Marinaro that he would be joining the Canadiens as a scout. And this may be one of the best spots for him. He said during the interview:
"I want to be out there. I want to see games. I want to be ready. I’m not going to stay at my place and wait for the phone call. I did it before when I lost my job in Pittsburgh. I went to see as many games as I can and this is what I’m expecting to do next year."
Michel’s referring to his time as a scout with the Minnesota Wild between his coaching stints in Pittsburgh and Montreal. While it’s not known for sure what impact his scouting had on Minnesota, it can be said he knows a lot about player development.
Proven Track Record of Development
Before making the leap to the NHL, Therrien found success as a coach in both the QMJHL and AHL. In 1996 he lead the underdog Granby Predateurs to a Memorial Cup championship over the heavily favourited Peterborough Petes. It was the first time a team from Quebec had won the Memorial Cup since Guy Lafleur led the Quebec Ramparts to one in 1971.
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In the American League Therrien found regular success with both Montreal’s farm club and Pittsburgh’s. He led the Fredericton Canadiens to the third round of the playoffs in 1998/99 and took the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to the Calder Cup final in 2003/04.
He also developed some quality NHL players along the way. In the AHL he coached players such as Stephane Robidas, Jose Theodore, Maxime Talbot and Francis Bouillion. It would actually be the second of three teams Bouillion would play under Therrien, as he also played in that Memorial Cup with Granby alongside future Canadien Georges Laracque.
Whatever you want to say about Therrien’s attitude as a coach, he certainly has success with minor and junior players. Hopefully that will lead to Montreal getting some quality eyes on potential draft picks in the upcoming seasons.
As a side note, it is not known if Bergevin and Therrien have discussed him coaching again for Montreal’s farm team. Since Lefebvre just signed a two-year extension it’s probably safe to assume they haven’t. Then again, Lefebvre’s contract comes up at the same time as Therrien’s.
Either way, it’s safe to say that keeping Therrien involved in the organization will be a benefit to the club overall.
Next: Seven Games Habs Fans Need to Watch
Do you think Therrien will be a good start? Are his coaching days in Montreal over for good? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.