Would Habs hire Mike Babcock?

[The Black Panther]

Debate on Leafs lunch today. First off they talked about would Therrian be fired if the Habs bow out. Apparently not a well liked guy. Then question was raised, if they did, would they take a run at Babcock?
Hayes, well agreeing it would be a great move(Im sure he'd be intrigued too as he loves the city and went to Mcgill), said it would never happen as Quebec or Montreal would never hire a non-french speaking coach(among other things he cited the Cunnyworth disaster). O-Dog vehemity disagreed, pointing to his status in the coaching world and the fact that he could appease by taking french lessons.
Twitter seemed to favour Hayes.

Discuss.......

[Axeman33]

Does he speak french?

[The Black Panther]

Does he speak french?

I wouldnt think so.

[Slug]

All the Babcock talk is going to look ridiculous once he signs back in Detroit.

[Axeman33]

I wouldnt think so.

Then there's your answer.

[The Black Panther]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montre...rtant-1.998863

Interesting article from 2011 mentions Babcock infact.

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Best coach in NHL VS French speaking coach. How do you not consider him.

[evans334]

Babcock may not speak french, but he speaks winning, which I think everyone in Montreal would agree upon.

But, Therrien isn't going anywhere.

Habs are still developing as a team. Bergevin has said numerous times that he knows this team still needs more work to be a cup contender.

[Axeman33]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montre...rtant-1.998863

Interesting article from 2011 mentions Babcock infact.

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Best coach in NHL VS French speaking coach. How do you not consider him.

It's not a question of whether I consider him or not. It's just a known fact that they prefer to hire a french speaking coach.

That article you shared pretty much says that.

I do agree that it's mute point as I doubt Therrien is going anywhere.

[The Black Panther]

Babcock may not speak french, but he speaks winning, which I think everyone in Montreal would agree upon.

But, Therrien isn't going anywhere.

Habs are still developing as a team. Bergevin has said numerous times that he knows this team still needs more work to be a cup contender.

This was definitely a hypothetical question. As i said in my OP "if they did, would they take a run at Babcock?" But i do appreciate your comment.

It would be interesting to see if they would turn away from him(if he said he wanted to come) because he didnt speak French

[kovalchuk17]

He did go to Mcgill tho if that counts for anything

[JHouly]

I think the Habs will need another coach after this serie. Therrien is showing again that he is not able to controle his emotions and-or the emotions of his players.

Paul Mclean had him loose his mind in 2013. And now he is loosing it again with the complaints about the officiating...

[newfcollins]

Not a chance Babcock is hired.

This is what owner Geoff Molson said back in 2011 when Randy Cunneyworth was coach:

“Although our main priority remains to win hockey games and to keep improving as a team, it is obvious that the ability for the head coach to express himself in both French and English will be a very important factor in the selection of the permanent head coach … We would like to thank all our fans for their understanding.”

Don't forget, this is the franchise that once fired Al MacNeil a month or two after he coached the team to a Stanley Cup victory in 1971 because he didn't speak French.

[yougo]

Don't forget, this is the franchise that once fired Al MacNeil a month or two after he coached the team to a Stanley Cup victory in 1971 because he didn't speak French.

That was then and this is now. Bergevin isn't going to pass on the opportunity of hiring Mike Babcock. Hockey fans in Quebec won't care that Babcock doesn't speak french. Bowman wasn't the best in french either.

[ericdaoust]

That Randy Cunneyworth guy was pretty good.

[yougo]

That Randy Cunneyworth guy was pretty good.

Yeah, he never stood a chance. He didn't have the same resume as Babcock though.