Montreal Canadiens: Do Marc Bergevin and Claude Julien get a pass now?
By Omar L
The Montreal Canadiens could be gifted a playoff spot this year, and it’s interesting whether this changes the perception of Marc Bergevin and Claude Julien.
The NHL is extending the number of teams that qualify for the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs in an attempt to be fair to those who were right on the outside. This mostly applies to the New York Islanders, New York Rangers and the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference and the Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild in the Western Conference.
Each are 2-3 points out and would’ve felt jobbed the most if the league went right to the playoffs upon restarting. Teams such as the Montreal Canadiens have been gifted this opportunity, and Pierre Lebrun’s tweet triggered a lot of debate on social media.
According to Lebrun, the NHL and NHLPA have made progress on the 24-team format making many believe this is the path we’re going down. The Habs were absolutely out of a playoff spot sitting 10 points shy with 11 games remaining in the season. It wasn’t going to happen, and Marc Bergevin and Claude Julien would’ve had to face the music of another playoff-less year.
Bergevin set the record straight for those who thought there could’ve been a change behind the bench after this season, confirming Julien’s return for 2020-21.
"I have confidence in Claude Julien, I have confidence in our team. (Quote from Sportsnet)"
And although nothing has been said about it, it’s safe to assume if the Montreal Canadiens don’t make the playoffs then, his team as Habs coach will likely be over.