There have been critiques surrounding Marc Bergevin and Claude Julien this season, but Montreal Canadiens goaltending coach Stèphane Waite has been key.
Colour analyst and Overdrive co-host Jamie McLennan has always mentioned that the goaltending coach is the most underrated position in any organization. The head coach and general manager get most of the attention as they’re the ones front and centre of anything that happens with the team. However, the goaltending coach quietly does their work and is rarely recognized for it. The Montreal Canadiens have had a giant magnifying glass over Marc Bergevin and Claude Julien, but Stèphane Waite is a member of the organization who deserves some recognition.
You can see the impact that Waite has had on Carey Price over the years and Antti Niemi this season. Price has played the best hockey of his career with Waite in his corner including his .933 save percentage and 1.96 goals-against average in the 2014/15. It was pure destruction that season for the Montreal Canadiens and their goaltending, and Waite had a big part in it.
Niemi was also a benefactor of Waite’s work far beyond this year. The two were together in Chicago for the Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup win, and the veteran has been a big supporter of his work ever since. Waite didn’t try to change his style but instead worked on enhancing the skills that he works best at. When Niemi first joined the Montreal Canadiens, he had this to say about Waite:
"I think he gave me lots of structure on how to play goalie. He didn’t try to change me then too much… It’s easy for me to get comfortable with him [and Marc Bergevin] showing me how everything works and introducing me to everyone."
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Obviously, Niemi has put in the work allowing him to have the starts that he’s had, but Waite deserves some credit as well. You also have to think that when Price gets back to Price-shape next season, it’ll be the goaltending coach to help him get through it. This is why the Habs shouldn’t hesitate to resign Waite over the summer.
An article by TVA Sports mentioned that Waite is in the final year of his contract and therefore needs an extension. We can talk about the RFAs and UFAs on the Montreal Canadiens who need to be resigned, but Waite should be one of the names on the priority list.
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