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If Pascal Vincent leaves… Who will replace him in Laval?
James Guillory-Imagn Images

The Montreal Canadiens have made a good move in hiring Pascal Vincent as head coach of the Laval Rocket.

But with Vincent reportedly on the verge of leaving the organization to return behind an NHL bench, the Habs must now think of a solution to replace him.

And that might not be so easy.

Clearly, it will be necessary to find someone who can work with the youngsters and ensure the growth of the Canadiens’ prospects.

Pascal Vincent was able to do it this year in Laval: the Rocket had a good season and some of the youngsters shone. Among them?

Owen Beck, Sean Farrell, Florian Xhekaj, Jared Davidson, Adam Engström… these guys were good and we saw a certain progression in their respective games.

But to replace Vincent, maybe there are logical candidates too. Because it’s worth remembering that in the summer of 2024, some QMJHL coaches were interviewed for the Rocket head coaching position.

We’re talking about :

  • Sylvain Favreau – Drummondville Voltigeurs
  • Carl Mallette – Victoriaville Tigres
  • Gilles Bouchard – Sherbrooke Phoenix
  • Louis Robitaille – Cape Breton Eagles

If we exclude Carl Mallette from the discussion, the other three coaches took their clubs to the playoffs this year in the QMJHL.

Will they get another chance to be interviewed for a bigger AHL job in Laval?

Of those four names, I feel like Sylvain Favreau’s seems to make the most sense.

And I say that for one reason in particular: in 2024, we were talking about him as a potential candidate for Laval as head coach… but we were also talking about him as a potential candidate to become one of Martin St-Louis’ NHL assistants with the Canadiens.

We know that the Canadiens like him a lot, and that Favreau, for his part, is waiting for his chance.

He took his club to the Memorial Cup in 2024 after winning it all in the QMJHL with the Voltigeurs, and he’s never missed the playoffs in the QMJHL either since becoming head coach.

I really have a feeling that this name is going to become popular around town in the coming weeks. At least, if last year is anything to go by… it would make sense.


Overtime

– I like his attitude.

– Yikes.

– Coming up.

– It’s the right mentality.

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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