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'Pascal Vincent, he’ll be back in Laval'

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Jun 7, 2025 6:23 PM ET

A few weeks ago, it looked like Pascal Vincent was on his last legs behind the Rocket bench. The coach had just enjoyed an exceptional season behind the bench of the Habs’ club-school and was seen as a logical candidate with so many positions to fill in the Bettman circuit.

He had really been able to restore his reputation after a difficult year in Columbus… in which he had not been placed in ideal conditions.

But all that has obviously changed since then. The Rocket has come a long way in the playoffs, so most positions have been filled… and it’s all ended up a bit awry for Vincent and the Rocket.

His goaltending hasn’t exactly been impeccable, even if the club’s troubles against the Checkers went further than that.

So a return to Laval suddenly seems more likely… and according to Marc Antoine Godin, who spoke to Tellement Hockey yesterday, we can expect to see Vincent back in Laval next year:

[Pascal Vincent], he’ll be back. – Marc Antoine Godin

At the moment, there’s only one head coaching vacancy left in the NHL: that of the Dallas Stars, who fired Pete DeBoer yesterday. At the moment, Vincent isn’t (really) a name that’s coming up in this race.

Glen Gulutzan (a powerplay assistant in Edmonton who once coached the Stars) and Neil Graham (who runs the Stars’ feeder club) are the popular names at the moment… and whether it’s Pierre LeBrun or Elliotte Friedman, Vincent’s name has never been mentioned for the job.

It’s worth remembering, however, that Vincent was rumoured to be heading to the NHL next season as an assistant. The Lightning and Islanders were mentioned as teams to watch, as were the Rangers.

Yesterday, however, the Lightning hired an assistant who is not Vincent. Has that door closed? The question arises.

More than ever, then, the possibility of Vincent staying with the Habs for next season seems very real. Missing out on a good part of the dance and finishing a little off in the playoffs may have cost him a chance to return to the NHL.

Of course, anything can change with a phone call… but some people seem to have reason to believe that Vincent will be back next year. And that would be good news for the Habs.

Overtime

– That’s got to feel good.

Over 10 years ago, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins lived through seasons of misery with the Oilers.

Now, he’s living the good years with his lifelong team.

Text by @JFChaumontNHL https://t.co/xF15R1WOsu

– NHL (@NHL_EN) June 7, 2025

– I love it.

This security guard has become a Combine legend over the years.

Prospects come to Ian to soak up his bonhomie and positive energy during a trying week.

And, yes, that’s his real hair! pic.twitter.com/YpBLh0a2tE

– Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) June 7, 2025

– Now that’s funny.

Colt Knost showed up to the @RBCCanadianOpen in a Brad Marchand jersey and the Toronto crowd let him hear it. pic.twitter.com/MXZiAwmIDU

– TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 7, 2025