Joel Bouchard Named Head Coach of San Diego Gulls

[Adam Michaels]

Big loss for Laval

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[axecrew]

Odd....you usually don't see an AHL coach jump from one team to another. Usually they are let go and then go to another team.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Odd....you usually don't see an AHL coach jump from one team to another. Usually they are let go and then go to another team.

I think it's because he wants to be a head coach in the NHL and his chances of that happening are better in Ahaheim than they are in Montreal.

Dallas Eakins will enter the final year of his contract this season. And in Montreal, Ducharme is about to be extended and have the "interim" tag removed.

Once Laval's season ended, Bergevin wanted to talk extension with Bouchard, but Joel told him there was no rush and that Marc should focus on the Habs' playoffs. Even without a contract, Bouchard was with the team running practices with the Black Aces.

Bergevin had offered Bouchard the choice to either remain head coach of Laval or join Ducharme's staff in the NHL.

After the Habs swept the Jets in the second round, Bouchard left the Habs' bubble. When Ducharme tested positive for COVID during the Semi-Final, everyone was wondering if they will have Bouchard join the staff as Richardson assumed the coaching duties. That is when we learned he had left the bubble.

Since he was no longer under contract, he could speak to anyone he wants. And Anaheim approached him. Obviously Montreal knew he was coveted and wouldn't stand in Joel's way.

 

[axecrew]

I think it's because he wants to be a head coach in the NHL and his chances of that happening are better in Ahaheim than they are in Montreal.

Dallas Eakins will enter the final year of his contract this season. And in Montreal, Ducharme is about to be extended and have the "interim" tag removed.

Once Laval's season ended, Bergevin wanted to talk extension with Bouchard, but Joel told him there was no rush and that Marc should focus on the Habs' playoffs. Even without a contract, Bouchard was with the team running practices with the Black Aces.

Bergevin had offered Bouchard the choice to either remain head coach of Laval or join Ducharme's staff in the NHL.

After the Habs swept the Jets in the second round, Bouchard left the Habs' bubble. When Ducharme tested positive for COVID during the Semi-Final, everyone was wondering if they will have Bouchard join the staff as Richardson assumed the coaching duties. That is when we learned he had left the bubble.

Since he was no longer under contract, he could speak to anyone he wants. And Anaheim approached him. Obviously Montreal knew he was coveted and wouldn't stand in Joel's way.

I actually read something today where Bob Murray told Bergevin that he was going to make a hard run at Bouchard this off season....makes you wonder if MTL could have a tampering complaint since he left the bubble etc during the playoffs and then the quick hire after the finals were over? Technically he was an FA...but usually those things have a gentleman's agreement that they don't upset the applecart during the playoffs, and they wait until season's end or June 30 which ever is later.

I don't doubt that he has a easier path through San Diego...but then that also begs the question as to what happened to Dineen? It's still kind of odd for it to happen like this...wonder if Dineen told Murray he was leaving earlier this season or maybe got wind of the run at Bouchard and said FU to Murray and left making it imperative that they get Bouchard or be left in the cold with no coach.