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The Montreal Canadiens made a house cleaning in a bid to halt their two-game losing skid and turn their season around moving forward. The team decided to part ways with former head coach Claude Julien on Wednesday and will be replaced by Dominique Ducharme who will serve as the Canadiens' interim head coach, via ESPN.
According to The Athletic‘s Pierre LeBrun, the move was indicative of the team's plans to emerge as serious contenders this season.
Marc Bergevin informed Claude Julien this morning of the coaching change.
My sense is the Habs GM still saw effort on the ice but also saw a confused team. Wanted to intervene before the downward spiral got out of control. Again, speaks to the expectations set for this season.— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 24, 2021
Julien has been with the team for a total of seven and a half seasons on two separate stints from 2002 to 2006 and 2016 to 2021. He will conclude his tenure in Montreal with an overall record of 201-185. Assistant coach and former Canadiens winger Kirk Muller will also be sacked alongside Julien.
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The Montreal-based squad has been off to a great start to the season but eventually encountered a slump which caused them to lose six of their last 10 games. Despite absorbing consecutive losses against the Ottawa Senators, the Canadiens are still sitting in the fourth spot in the North Division with a 9-5-4 record through 18 games played this season, with both defeats to the Sens coming in OT and a shootout.
General manager Marc Bergevin then issued a statement to express gratitude for their former tacticians along with welcoming remarks for the incoming Ducharme.
“I would like to sincerely thank Claude and Kirk for their contributions to the Canadiens over the past five years during which we worked together,” Bergevin said in a statement. “I have great respect for these two men whom I hold in high regard. In Dominique Ducharme, we see a very promising coach who will bring new life and new energy to our group. We feel that our team can achieve high standards and the time had come for a change. “
Marc Bergevin is hoping that the moves will help the Canadiens get back on the right track and maximize the players on their roster bannered by forward Tyler Toffoli, goaltender Carey Price, and defenseman Joel Edmundson.
