Max-Hab-Fan Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Oh, sorry. I think Graeme already mentioned this, but I am glad that Gainey hasn't immediately named Carbonneau's replacement. He seems to be learning from his mistakes. Rather than jump the gun on naming a new head coach, he's evaluating the team first-hand from behind the bench and giving Lever a chance to audition for the job (speculation on my part, but not unreasonable speculation). Which hopefully means that Gainey will conduct a thorough job search for the next coach this time around. Lever has coached many of the younger Canadiens at the AHL and might be useful to Gainey to get the team motivated. He has been coaching for quite some time. "Lever was in his fourth year as head coach of the Bulldogs. He accumulated a record of 153-127-8-17 with Hamilton and captured the Calder Cup with the team in 2007 after having a record of 16 wins and six losses. Lever became Hamilton's longest-serving head coach on February 2nd, 2008 when he coached his 206th game to surpass Claude Julien. Before joining the Bulldogs, Lever was an assistant coach in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues for two seasons (2002-2004). He also spent 12 seasons in the Buffalo Sabres organization, beginning his coaching career as a Sabres assistant coach in 1987-1988. He then served as head coach of the AHL's Rochester Americans from 1990-1992, before returning to Buffalo as an assistant coach for the next 10 seasons (1992-2002). In his first season with Rochester as head coach, Lever earned the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as AHL Coach of the Year. He also played in 1,030 NHL games accumulating 680 points (313 goals, 367 assists) along with 593 penalty minutes." Source is Hamilton Bulldogs site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leafs_rock_go_mccabe Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I am happy with this move. He seems to do well coaching the kids in Hamilton, and I am excited to see how he can help us moving forward for this season. This is an opportunity for him to make a statement for a job next season, too, I think. I wonder... Is he NHL calibre? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadBrains Posted March 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I am happy with this move. He seems to do well coaching the kids in Hamilton, and I am excited to see how he can help us moving forward for this season. This is an opportunity for him to make a statement for a job next season, too, I think. I wonder... Is he NHL calibre? He does have 17 years of experience as an NHL assistant. So he's no stranger to NHL duties. Whether or not he's got the stones to be the boss is yet to be seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stroundpick Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 The only fresh guy that should be allowed is Patrick Roy. But in his case, we don't talk about a man, but a superman Patrick Roy as coach in Montreal would be a retarded move! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadBrains Posted March 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I think we can safely say that St. Patrick will not be part of this team anytime soon. He is owner, GM and coach of a team in his hometown of Quebec city. He has owned part of that team since he was still playing in the NHL. His dream was to coach and manage the Remparts and that's what he's doing. No way he comes here in any way shape or form. You can take that to the bank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sens27 Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Patrick Roy as coach in Montreal would be a retarded move! Agreed. I love patrick Roy but we dont need another big ego behind the bench at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
js2 Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I will say one thing...if Carbo's line juggling makes you crazy...you'll HATE Lever. He moves 'em around A LOT. I think that's because the AHL is still a developmental league and he's trying to get players in all situations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulin98C Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Being french, I have to say that bringing in an english coach in the locker room is a good thing. I have never been in favor of all these french coaches, it seems to me that they tend to put that barrier between players... we often saw carbo talk to lapierre and co in french behind the bench. That is unacceptable, a team is a team, speak the universal language all the time (unless talkin 1 on 1). I work with french and english guys at work and the rule is if someone shows up that doesn't speak french we switch to english while talking to each other. It promotes good work ethics and values, strengthening teamwork. My 2 cent. I really hope you make it as head coach next year Don. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs-24 Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I think it will be Lever as head coach next season. Gainey did the same thing when he let Claude Julien go. He had Carbo join him behind the bench for the remainder of the season, then took him on as the new coach after proving himself. I would love to see this happen. I think Lever already has molded most of team already (before they were brought up from Hamilton). I'm curious as to how much effect he'd have on the vets though. Can he keep Kovi scoring? How about Koivu? Regardless the boys have to step it up as a team. As of late they have been a big let-down, and often embarrassing. For now I'll cross my fingers and hope that the playoffs are in the near future. when Bob hired Guy he was already announced as the next coach... but with Lever Bob did not officially announce that which leaves questions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beliveau4 Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Who cares whether Lever can speak French or not? I only care about winning. That should be the most imprtant thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs-24 Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Being french, I have to say that bringing in an english coach in the locker room is a good thing. I have never been in favor of all these french coaches, it seems to me that they tend to put that barrier between players... we often saw carbo talk to lapierre and co in french behind the bench. That is unacceptable, a team is a team, speak the universal language all the time (unless talkin 1 on 1). I work with french and english guys at work and the rule is if someone shows up that doesn't speak french we switch to english while talking to each other. It promotes good work ethics and values, strengthening teamwork. My 2 cent. I really hope you make it as head coach next year Don. Good luck. well said, totally agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habsrock73 Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Who cares whether Lever can speak French or not? I only care about winning. That should be the most imprtant thing. I could not agree more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dintrox12 Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Lever is not a neophyte to the NHL. He was an assistant coach for 14 years in the NHL with the sabres and the blues and has 5 years as an AHL coach. Also just because he is behind the bench does not necessarily mean he will be the head coach. I think he was doing excellent work in Hamilton and that role has paid big dividends for the Habs. I would like him to be in Hamilton next year and continue developing the prospects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QbGamer Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Hey did anyone notice lever on the bench yesterday? Any pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreekHockeyCoach Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Hey did anyone notice lever on the bench yesterday? Any pics? He's the guy with the glasses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourtrax Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 That picture is absolutely priceless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QbGamer Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 LOL Hes looks like a bum! Exactly what we need here.. I hope hes the coach for next season! What do we sign people to as there first contract 1-2 years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbraT Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Haha...Gainey in that picture is awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs-24 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 He's the guy with the glasses. Don is like "hells ya"!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romy22 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Don is like "hells ya"!! Gainey's like: "that's 1 win...32 more to go". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreekHockeyCoach Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Gainey's like: "that's 1 win...32 more to go". Clever, when I saw 32 more to go I did a double take thinking we don't have 32 games left. Then, I realized what you meant, like I said, clever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leafs_rock_go_mccabe Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Clever, when I saw 32 more to go I did a double take thinking we don't have 32 games left. Then, I realized what you meant, like I said, clever It's 'cause he's counting rounds of golf the team is going to play before going their seperate ways for the summer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreekHockeyCoach Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 It's 'cause he's counting round of golf the team is going to play before going their seperate ways for the summer! Oh my! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 It's 'cause he's counting rounds of golf the team is going to play before going their seperate ways for the summer! The only Golf the Habs will see this year is well into the summer months ( other then on TV). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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