Mentioned in Lapierre’s tweet was going the route of experience in someone like Rick Bowness. The 67 year veteran would be no stranger to Quebec as he has played his junior playing career in the QMJHL as a member of the Quebec Remparts and Montreal Red White And Blue. His career also ended in the AHL as a member of the Sherbrooke Jets.
Bowness comes with a great resume as a defensive coach and would be a perfect candidate to aid Martin St. Louis not just to handle defence, but in all aspects of the game.
The issue with the candidacy of Bowness, is to convince him to come back to the game at all.
In an interview with The Dallas Morning News, Bowness was open about his future as a coach in the NHL.
"“(…)Am I going to pursue anything? No, I’m not. If somebody calls with something of interest, I suppose I would listen. But Judy and I are well-prepared to move on in life. We have a grandson in Phoenix that we want to spend more time with. So, life has changed a little bit. … Am I interested in going to a team rebuilding? Absolutely not. If I had a shot at a Stanley Cup — then I might have to listen to that. But that would be the only draw for me, if I had a really good chance on a team that would be really close to winning a Stanley Cup. I am not interested in any part of a rebuilding team. I’m too old for that.”"
Montreal is a long way from Phoenix for sure, but maybe this is just fatigue talking. Maybe Kent Hughes, Jeff Gorton and Martin St. Louis can talk him into coming to Montreal after all.