Carbonneau starts over in Montreal

by Chuck Carlton for The Dallas Morning News, 11/9/00

The worst is yet to come, Guy Carbonneau realizes.

Occasionally, as he has sat in the press box next to Montreal general manager Rejean Houle watching the Canadiens, something would catch his eye. It might have been a key defensive zone face-off or a blown defensive assignment, plays that Carbonneau made many times in an 18-year career.

Briefly, he would relive his decision to retire at 40 to join the Canadiens' management team instead of play another season with the Stars. He'll probably experience the same emotions when he comes to Reunion Arena to watch the Canadiens play Saturday night.

Carbonneau, along with fellow former Stars Shawn Chambers, Craig Ludwig and Brian Skrudland, will be honored before the game and receive their framed home jerseys from the 1999 Stanley Cup season.

"In some places, I see myself on the ice," Carbonneau said this week from his Montreal home. "I do miss the game, but I haven't had the urge to get back on the ice and train hard enough to play again."

Carbonneau's mindset could change in April. Stars general manager Bob Gainey already has warned him.

"He said it was a little harder once it gets ready for the playoffs to start and you aren't there," said Carbonneau, the owner of three Stanley Cup rings and three Selke Trophies as the NHL's top defensive forward.

For now, Carbonneau stands by his decision and his subsequent choice to join the Canadiens, a team that he once captained, instead of the Stars. The choice was clear, if not easy.

Montreal put Carbonneau in charge of prospect development. He's involved in all major aspects of the team, including trade discussion. With the Stars, he would have been a pro scout, a couple rungs down the ladder.

"I said I wanted to leave the doors open, and that's why I like the job," said Carbonneau, who remains grateful to Gainey for his advice and the job offer.

As much as he studied the game as a player, and as much as he loves Montreal, Carbonneau is finding management an acquired taste.

"I fit into a groove as a hockey player. It was kind of like second nature," Carbonneau said. "I feel comfortable around hockey players. I liked the lifestyle – coming to the rink, practicing, maybe going golfing and then leaving on a road trip. As a hockey player, I had more time on my hands.

"Now I don't have that time, and I feel like I'm doing nothing. It's been a big adjustment to find the work ethic each day. It was easy as a player."

Part of the reason is because Carbonneau and his teammates controlled their own destiny. If the power play or the penalty kill wasn't working, they could fix it.

In Montreal, Carbonneau has found the options limited. Some of the current prospects are years away from the NHL, and the Canadiens need immediate help. They're off to a slow start after missing the playoffs for two consecutive years.

The fabled franchise is struggling with sagging attendance and the weak Canadian dollar. Long-time owner Molson has the team for sale.

Even Carbonneau admits to being a little overwhelmed. He followed the Canadiens' decline from afar.

"Now that I'm here, it's hard to look at it," Carbonneau said. "You try to find solutions, but it's hard to fix in one day. It's going to take a lot of time and a lot of luck."