My buddy, Tambland usually writes the humorous blogs. He’s pretty funny like that. I’m not as funny as him though. Refering to [Justin] Abdelkader as Dominik Hasek’s abductor muscle is pretty good. And if Tambland would help me with a Jacques Martin joke, I might be able to consider this blog at his level!
Speaking of Jacques Martin, the Montreal Canadiens announced him as their new head coach yesterday, in a press conference called by GM Bob Gainey. So with this news, there are two things to wonder for Canadiens fans and Florida Panthers fans.
Florida Panthers Questions
It’s interesting the Florida Panthers let Martin, their General Manager, walk away from the organization with three years left on his contract and weeks because the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and July 1st – Unrestricted Free Agents hit the open market. Following a dissapointing stretch that saw the Panthers miss the playoffs, some big decisions need to be made, but as of writing this, there’s no GM in place to do so. Yet. The questions start with Jay Boumeester but don’t finish there. Other notable players the Panthers need to resign (or replace) are David Booth, Nick Boyton and Karlis Skrastins to name a few. With Florida’s uncertain financial situation, it might be a tough sell to bring in new blood to the Panthers organization, too. Clearly, the Panthers need a GM and quickly! They cannot go to the NHL Entry draft or approach unrestricted free agency without a GM. Although Brett Hull might be looking for a GM job… kidding.
Montreal Canadiens Questions
Everyone knows Jacques Martin is a successful NHL coach with a flare for defensive play. Wait – does that even make sense? Anyways, take my warning: it could be stifflingly boring! A harsh comment, but as an Ottawa Senators fan, some of the early 2000 teams didn’t play terribly exciting hockey and looking at today’s top flight teams; not many of them put defense first. Hiring Martin could be an indication of how the Canadiens plan to rebuild following their dissapointing Centennial season. And maybe it’s not a bad plan. With Andrei Markov and Roman Hamrlik locked into long term deals and PK Suban coming up soon, this might work. Add a resigned Mike Komisarek to the mix and yeah, it might be a good foundation (who am I kidding, he’ll probably sign with the Islanders). The real questions surround the forwards – who of the unrestricted free agents would and could come back in Martin’s system? Which players in the Canadiens development system are ready for the jump to the NHL? And finally, which free agents would be attracted to Montreal because of the coaching structure?
Bottom line, the Montreal Canadiens hired themselves a solid and experienced coach in Jacques Martin and he’s French-Canadian too. Whether you disagree about the choice of coach (Patrick Roy would of been cool…), atleast the coaching issue is resolved prior to this summer’s draft… which more appropriately than ever, is in Montreal.
Stay classy, Jacques Martin
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Unfortunately for the Montreal media, Martin’s press conferences are sometimes as boring as his coaching style. The real question is: how are they going to handle not getting any answers?