While some ownership issues in the other hemisphere of the league are seemingly becoming clearer, the solution to George Gillett's financial strain doesn't seem immediately imminent. So long as that is the case, it seems unreasonable to assume that the Canadiens will be able to hire a new head coach. And without a new head coach, or uncertainty regarding Bob Gainey's future in that specific position, it won't be possible for Bob Gainey (the GM) to get the free agents he'd like to keep, penned to new deals.
Inevitably, this picture will become clearer. Inevitably, Bob Gainey will be given the go-ahead to hire a new coach, thus removing himself from the position, and he'll have the go-ahead to start signing his free agents. But, it is entirely reasonable for said players to have no inclination to sign with a Canadiens team that currently has a vacancy behind the bench.
Alex Tanguay has made it clear, at least to Bob Hartley, that he has no intention of signing with the Canadiens until the coaching job is filled, and according to Bob Hartley, preferably filled by his former bench boss, or former teammate and good friend, Patrick Roy. Here's the link
Hartley Speaks Up.
Hartley reached out to Bertrand Raymond of RueFrontenac.com, and defended himself against some in the media who have suggested he doesn't deserve a chance to coach the Canadiens. The article persists about Hartley's private approach to being a potential candidate to fill the coaching position; in his refusal to do several interviews, and even pulling himself from episodes of L'
Antichambre that were aimed at critically analyzing the Canadiens and the summer of work that lies ahead.
Some are naturally insulted by the insinuation that Alex Tanguay would only play for Roy or Hartley in Montreal, but given his experience with Guy Carbonneau (not getting enough ice-time, and being called into question for allegedly nursing an injury for too long) this revelation isn't surprising. Tanguay would appreciate a little favoritism after bouts with Mike Keenan, and Guy Carbonneau over the last 2 seasons.
And it wouldn't be all that surprising if the 9 other ufas, whose rights belong to the Canadiens until July 1st, waited to see who their bench-boss would be before coming to any kind of agreement with Bob Gainey.
The picture remains fuzzy, and there's cause for concern so long as it does.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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