Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis' job could be on the line based on team success this season

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Graham Montgomery
October 25, 2024 (9:06 PM)

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French Canadian NHL analyst Jean-Charles Lajoie, also known as JiC, recently revealed that he thinks Martin St. Louis' days as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens could be numbered.

It has been a tough start to the season for the Canadiens this year. Even before the season started, the team lost Patrik Laine for two to three months due to a reckless play in the preseason. Similarly, former 5th overall pick David Reinbacher is out 5-6 months after having surgery on his knee earlier this month. These injuries have played a role in the team's slow start to the season as they sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with a 2-4-1 record. Jean-Charles Lajoie believes if the team does not show signs of improvement, Martin St. Louis could walk away by the end of the year.

"I'm not saying it will happen tomorrow [...] But it's not true that he embraces defeat to that extent. I refuse to believe that."

It is true that St. Louis takes a lot of pride in what he does. Furthermore, he does genuinely seem to hate losing. That being said, he does not appear to be phased by outside noise as many fans have started to call out the team. If anything, he says that the critics help him as he thrives under that kind of pressure.

"Obviously there's noise right? I don't listen to stuff. Why would I listen to a critic from someone I would never go to advice for. Its funny because yesterday I was walking to the Bell Center, going to work, and like I said I don't listen, but there's a couple fans that stop me and they said, 'don't listen to them, keep working.' So I realize this is happening. Its part of the market. Its not going to change what I do and its not going to make me upset, but if it does one thing, I'm almost thankful, because I usually overcome the obstacles and the people that doubt. It fuels me, so I appreciate it."

The Canadiens did start the year off on the right foot with a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, thanks to Sam Montembeault's heroic effort but it has largely been downhill from there. Hopefully, they will be able to turn things around soon. Laine returning to the lineup will certainly help, but that is still a ways away. In the meantime, St. Louis' team will just have to grit their teeth as they slowly come out of their rebuild.