When the season began, the Montreal Canadiens were unstoppable, but since early last month, the team has fallen from grace, being the holders of the worst record in the league since Dec. 2. While goalie Carey Price's injury is of grave concern for fans, the Habs' offensive prowess is not what it used to be either. General manager Marc Bergevin may be starting to lose his patience with his coach, as "speculation about Michel Therrien's job security in Montreal" mounts, according to TSN's Travis Yost.
"Michel Therrien's an excellent coach and that hasn't changed. But the extended absence of Price has changed both the dynamic on the ice for Montreal, and possibly in the room as well," said Sportsnet's Damien Cox.
Yes, it is true that the Canadiens' slump has coincided with Price's injury, but even with his return, should it be on time after the All-Star break, the goaltender could very well not be at 100 percent.
Montreal's situation seems to parallel Anaheim's earlier in the season, in which the Ducks were also struggling. Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau was in the same situation as Therrien, but he opted to focus on defence, filling out the line with young players, and that led to a Ducks' resurgence.
A coach needs to be able to at least implement new strategies. The Habs have been slumping for nearly two months, so something must be done, instead of waiting for Price's return.
"Therrien just doesn't seem to have answers. Whether Therrien hasn't made the right adjustments or his team isn't responding, the Canadiens have essentially devolved from the team to beat in the Eastern Conference to a team barely clinging to a playoff spot. It's hard to apportion all of that to losing one goaltender, even a great one," according to Yost.
So what will come to pass between GM Bergevin and coach Therrien? I think La Presse writer Marc Antoine Godin said it best:
I don't think Bergevin wants to fire Therrien. But Bergevin has a boss too, and a boss who expects a playoff team. #Habs
— Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) January 18, 2016
