Laval Rocket: Jean-François Houle Discussion Thread

[Vachon23]

There are playoffs going on too which complicates the hiring / interview process.

No need to rush the hired but you can announce to Houle that he won’t be back that was more my point.

But if the point is to keep him, then they could tell him that they will negocatie the contract after the U18

 

[salbutera]

Are Tinordi, McCarron, Juulsen, and Poehling actually NHLers?

Appears so…. they needed time to mature and in Juulsen’s case stay healthy. Development is such a catchy buzzword but it’s really all about hunger + maturity

 

[Runner77]

I’m surprise we haven’t have any news on that case

If Houle’s return were but a formality, it would have happened already.

I’m inclined to think that the org. is weighing its options.

 

[morhilane]

If Houle’s return were but a formality, it would have happened already.

I’m inclined to think that the org. is weighing its options.

Or Houle is, he might have received offers from other orgs since the season ended.

Like Joel Bouchard did back in 2021.

 

[Treb]

Or Houle is, he might have received offers from other orgs since the season ended.

Like Joel Bouchard did back in 2021.

Houle is on record saying he wants to be back.

We also know the org hadn't talked to him about a new contract at season end.

 

[Runner77]

Or Houle is, he might have received offers from other orgs since the season ended.

Like Joel Bouchard did back in 2021.

That's an interesting twist. I don't know what Houle's reputation or appeal might be across the AHL or even some other league.

Also, I didn't pay attention to what kind of delay an organization will typically take before committing to its AHL coaching staff but as @Treb stated, since Houle is on record as wanting to return, it's more than likely that the ball is in Hughes/ Sedgwick's court.

If the org. valued Houle very highly, would they not be incentivized to lock him up quick?

 

[morhilane]

That's an interesting twist. I don't know what Houle's reputation or appeal might be across the AHL or even some other league.

Also, I didn't pay attention to what kind of delay an organization will typically take before committing to its AHL coaching staff but as @Treb stated, since Houle is on record as wanting to return, it's more than likely that the ball is in Hughes/ Sedgwick's court.

If the org. valued Houle very highly, would they not be incentivized to lock him up quick?

Houle was assistant coach for the Bakerfields Condors (Oilers affiliate) for 6 years before becoming the Rocket HC. I'm surprised he haven't gotten any NHL assistant coach offers yet...

And yes, if they wanted to lock him up, it would have been done by now unless Houle is trying to get more money/term or other incentives.

 

[Runner77]

Houle was assistant coach for the Bakerfields Condors (Oilers affiliate) for 6 years before becoming the Rocket HC. I'm surprised he haven't gotten any NHL assistant coach offers yet...

And yes, if they wanted to lock him up, it would have been done by now unless Houle is trying to get more money/term or other incentives.

Maybe Houle doesn’t have that kind of leverage. It’ll have to play itself out, we have no other way of knowing.

 

[Kimota]

We have done what we can with Houle so far. Time to turn the page. It's a shame Joel went to the Tampa farm club, I would gladly have taken him back. He was perfect for that role. Right now my pick for replacement would be Benoix Groulx. Great coach and he has always been killing it in the Tampa farm club. Plus if you want to eventually replace Marty, you could groom Groulx to takeover.

 

[Vachon23]

We have done what we can with Houle so far. Time to turn the page. It's a shame Joel went to the Tampa farm club, I would gladly have taken him back. He was perfect for that role. Right now my pick for replacement would be Benoix Groulx. Great coach and he has always been killing it in the Tampa farm club. Plus if you want to eventually replace Marty, you could groom Groulx to takeover.

Benoit Groulx as MSL assistant ? Yes it would make sense

Benoit Groulx as Laval HC ? He’s not what this management will want as HC for developing the young guys

 

[Kimota]

Benoit Groulx as MSL assistant ? Yes it would make sense

Benoit Groulx as Laval HC ? He’s not what this management will want as HC for developing the young guys

I get that but Tampa always had a successful winning culture from up and down with their farm club winning constantly and Groulx was part of that. If you can develop guys and also win games, that's not a bad thing.

 

[Adam Michaels]

We can shut down the Benoit Groulx talk:

 

[Vachon23]

We can shut down the Benoit Groulx talk:

He was never going to coach Laval but surprise by this one !

 

[Steve Shutt]

I think there's plenty of time to make a decision, especially with a number of NHL teams losing in the first round and deciding if they'll be firing some/all of their coaching staff. AHL/CHL playoffs are also still in process, I'm sure a championship or Memorial Cup might raise the value for some candidates

 

[WeThreeKings]

Arpon thinks he's coming back which is terrible news..

but glad if it isn't Houle that it isn't Groulx. Not interested in reaching into the catacombs of 2000s QMJHL coaches.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

The money you'd have to pay me to go live in freaking russia...I hope the guy is getting paid, big time.

 

[Vachon23]

Arpon thinks he's coming back which is terrible news..

but glad if it isn't Houle that it isn't Groulx. Not interested in reaching into the catacombs of 2000s QMJHL coaches.

Nut surprise at all

Like I said last week, if he wasn’t coming back we would already know