Habs hopeful with Carbonneau on board

By Kevin Allen, for USA Today, August 26, 2000

Guy Carbonneau's arrival as Montreal's supervisor of prospect development Monday wasn't just another day at the office for members of the Canadiens' organization.

A bundle of television crews and reporters were on hand to chronicle his first day on the job. A person with Carbonneau's title doesn't usually warrant such media attention. But this is Montreal. And this is Carbonneau, a freshly retired 40-year-old player who has long been considered a management star in waiting. Unfair or not, this respected former Canadiens captain and three-time Stanley Cup champion is viewed as someone whose karma alone might be enough to get Montreal into the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

"There is going to be a lot more pressure and a lot more work in Montreal, but it will also be a lot more rewarding," Carbonneau said.

Carbonneau could have played it safe and accepted a lesser management position in Dallas, where he spent the last five seasons as a player. But that wouldn't have been remaining true to his competitive spirit. As a player, he was known for a strict work ethic.

"It came down to the two places I enjoyed the most — Montreal and Dallas," Carbonneau said. "It was a tough decision. It would have been tougher if the offers would have been the same. But I went with the offer that was more fun and offered more in the future."

Carbonneau is viewed widely as a future Montreal general manager. At present, he will be a member of a committee that will provide guidance to general manager Rejean Houle regarding all hockey decisions, including trades. He wouldn't have had that level of influence had he stayed in Dallas.

"In Montreal, I will have a chance to learn a lot quicker," he said.

His main duty will be to help prepare the Montreal prospects for life in the NHL. He is helping run Montreal's rookie camp this week. He says he feels a little like a rookie in his new role. It takes adjustment to stop thinking like a player.

"My experience helps," he said. "But it's one thing to do it on the ice and another thing to show someone how to do it."

Though Carbonneau is 40, he didn't quit because the game passed him by. He was an important player for the Stars last season.

"Physically, I am not 20, but I could keep up with the other guys," he said. "But mentally, it was kind of draining. Traveling is getting tougher, and games are getting tougher. Fifteen years ago, you had games in which you could relax a little bit. Now you can't."

He ruled out coaching.

"I didn't want to coach because I don't want to travel," Carbonneau said. "I want to enjoy a little bit of my free time. I've been doing the same thing since I was 16. I wanted to get out of the cycle a little bit while still doing something useful."

He would be very useful to the Canadiens if he could help them rediscover the aura they had when he helped them win championships in 1986 and 1993.