Habs Fire Martin; Name Cunneyworth Interm Head Coach

[flyersrule]

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens announced today that Jacques Martin has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Canadiens and that assistant Randy Cunneyworth would take the reins of the team through the end of the 2011-2012 season.

The 50-year old Randy Cunneyworth joined the Canadiens organisation in 2010-11 as head coach of the team’s AHL affiliate in Hamilton, leading the Bulldogs to a record of 44-27-9. Cunneyworth, who joined the Canadiens coaching staff in 2011-12 had spent two seasons as an assistant with the Atlanta Thrashers, from 2008 to 2010. Previously, Cunneyworth was head coach of the AHL Rochester Americans for nine seasons, leaving the franchise as the second winningest coach with 268 victories. The Etobicoke, Ontario native played 15 seasons in the NHL, recording 414 points in 866 career games.

Appointed Assistant General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens on July 16, 2010, Larry Carrière will join the Canadiens coaching staff as an assistant to Cunneyworth. Carrière has over two decades of experience in hockey management as General Manager, Director of Player Personnel and amateur scout. The Montreal-born Carrière, played 367 games in the NHL with Buffalo, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Toronto and Atlanta between 1972 and 1980.

Jacques Martin was in his third season at the helm of the Canadiens in 2011-12. In 196 games behind the Montreal bench, he led the team to 96 wins, 75 losses and 25 overtime losses. Throughout his NHL head coaching career, Martin recorded 613 wins, 481 losses, 119 ties and 81 overtime losses in 1,294 games.

[Broons66]

Wow,seems like it was only a month or so ago that Martin recieved a vote of confidence from the GM. Wonder if Cunneyworth will dress an enforcer? GM should be canned for making that rediculous Kaberle trade.

[canuck2]

I hope Guy Lafleur coaches.

[theknuckler]

woke up and said holy **** cunneyrocks coaching. about time someone gives him a chance

[Tucker_316]

I'm thinking Patrick Roy gets the call next season. Will be nice having a coach with passion and emotion behind the bench again.

[Orr4]

Has to be an improvement.

[Oilfield316]

I had to make an account here at Hockeyfights.com just so I can say ....... AWESOME!!

He should have been gone a long time ago, now I hope the GM goes next!
I hope this paves the way for the Canadians to stand back and take a look into injecting some beef into that lineup good god!!

[fcm]

fap fap fap

[Leafs_Fan18]

By the way, do not focus on a French speaking coach, just get one that can get the job done.

[fcm]

Originally Posted by Leafs_Fan18

By the way, do not focus on a French speaking coach, just get one that can get the job done.

Yeah, I know, but if the guy that can get the job done speaks French, it's better. French Canadians have lots of coaches in the NHL. I would personnally love to see Bob Hartley, Michel Therrien or Patrick Roy running a team.

I think that Good ol' Patrick wold love to carry an enforcer. If not, well at least he can give a good show behind the bench and in front of journalists.

He told his son to attack the other goalie during a game in the QMJHL.

Patrick Roy talk to son fight (je parlais à la...

[Tucker_316]

Not only that, but Roy was a goalie, and a hot headed one at that..you think he'd wanna watch Carey Price being run all game, every game?

He'd definitely be beefing up the roster.

[fcm]

Michel Therrien screams all night long on RDS that the Habs need a tough guy that would make sure about the small players' safety. Therrien for SURE would beef up the team. Patrick Roy, well, knowing what type of hot headed guy he is, he would for sure beef up the team, but he never really carried a goon in his QMJHL team.

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by fcm

Michel Therrien screams all night long on RDS that the Habs need a tough guy that would make sure about the small players' safety. Therrien for SURE would beef up the team. Patrick Roy, well, knowing what type of hot headed guy he is, he would for sure beef up the team, but he never really carried a goon in his QMJHL team.

This is a great move for the Canadiens and the game. Martin has one of the softest coaching mentalities in the league. I'm glad he's out. I always liked Therrien. He would be a good fit in Montreal and would liven that bunch up.

[fcm]

Pierre Gauthier in his press conference:

"We had to bring new ways to play, new ideas, new dispositions and a new philosophy."

Well, I hope. I freaking hope. I don't know, ship Gomez to Long Island VS Trevor Gillies or something. By the way, something else that's interesting, Randy Cunneyworth seems to play it a bit tougher.

http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/829

[Spirit]

Cunneyworth was a nasty, aggressive player, but so was Lindy Ruff. I don't know much about Cunneyworth's coaching style, but I guess we'll get to see what he does.

I think Gomez can still provide some offense. The Canadiens' problem is who they have on the third and fourth lines, and the lack of any kind of hammer on D. There's too many small players there who play small as well. Small is fine as long as there's some nasty in there.