Hire Carbo Now

by Pat Hickey for The Montreal Gazette, 7/3/00

The Canadiens shouldn't waste any time hiring Guy Carbonneau now that he has announced his retirement as a player.

Carbonneau could do a good job as a pro scout or working in personnel although he would be most valuable as an assistant coach.

With Rollie Melanson being asked to play a great role in the development of the team's young goaltenders and splitting his time between Montreal and Quebec City, there's room for another coach in Montreal. As a forward, Carbo could offer a counterpoint to head coach Alain Vigneault, whose strength is defence. At the same time, Carbonneau would complement the current philosophy because he excelled as a defensive forward and he would be able to communicate with the players. Add in his experience as a winner and he would be an ideal choice.

Carbonneau's first departure from the Canadiens was a messy one. He was ostensibly traded after making a rude gesture at a photographer but I've always felt that his greatest sin was daring to suggest that former goaltender Patrick Roy wasn't bigger than the Canadiens' organization. That was back in 1994 when Roy's participation in the playoffs was threatened by a bout of appendicitis. Carbo noted that the Canadiens would have to push on, that they weren't going to quit if Roy couldn't play. It was the right thing to say but it rankled St. Patrick.