Out with Michel Therrien, in with Claude Julien.
General manager Marc Bergevin stunned the hockey world Tuesday, when the Montreal Canadiens simultaneously announced the firing of head coach Therrien and the hiring of Julien - who was fired by the Boston Bruins on Feb. 7 - to replace him.
With Montreal in jeopardy of wasting yet another strong start to its season, Bergevin decided it was time for a change while the Canadiens are on their bye week.
Here's everything you need to know about the shuffle behind the Habs bench:
- Therrien was fired in the midst of his fifth season behind the Canadiens bench, and eighth overall.
- Bergevin said the decision was a difficult one, but that he "came to the conclusion that (the Canadiens) needed a new energy, a new voice, a new direction."
- Like Therrien before him, Julien will begin his second stint as Montreal head coach. He served in the same capacity from 2003-06.
- Bergevin said Montreal "hired the best available coach, and one of the league's best," and expects Julien to return Montreal to the win column. Read more.
3 thoughts after Habs' shock coaching move
- Bergevin deserves credit for acting and not watching his team collapse again, like he did last year.
- But the decision to fire Therrien should have been made in the summer - before P.K. Subban was traded.
- Julien got the most out of his Bruins teams - he'll have to pull the same magic for a very talented but clearly flawed Montreal team. Read more.
Pacioretty: Time for Canadiens 'to look in the mirror'
- More than anything, Max Pacioretty feels guilty, as a player but especially as Canadiens captain. With little room for error, Pacioretty believes "it's time for everyone to look in the mirror and say, 'You know, I've got to do more, I've got to play better.'" Read more.
Report: Canadiens pounced with Julien in demand
- Multiple teams asked the Bruins for permission to speak with Julien, so the timing of Tuesday's decision was obviously an important factor in the change behind the Habs' bench. Read more.
Poll: What should the Canadiens do at the deadline?
- The Canadiens will play only six games before the March 1 trade deadline. Is this Bergevin's big move, or are more changes in store? Cast your vote.
Twitter reacts to Montreal firing Therrien, hiring Julien
- Twitter lit up like a Christmas tree after Montreal announced the move. Check out the best tweets to drop in the aftermath.
Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.