Will Guy Boucher sign with the HABS?
Written by Fred Arshoff
Edited by Judy Pitcher
First of all I would like to thank my editor Judy Pitcher very much for her excellent editing of my articles. A tip of my hat to you, Judy.
As many of you probably know on Monday June 17, 2024 the Toronto Maple Leafs relieved Guy Boucher of his duties as assistant coach in charge of their Power Play. Some peope are thinking the HABS may wish to sign him. I don’t see that happening for several reasons and I will expand on those.
First of all, before anything can happen GM Kent Hughes would have to ask permission from the Leafs organization to speak to Boucher and to sign him.
The last former Toronto Maple Leaf to work in the HABS Hockey Operations was Richard (Rick) Dudley, who was hired by the HABS former GM Marc Bergevin. Dudley was hired by the HABS on May 25, 2012. At the time of the hiring there was a clause that Dudley couldn’t be at the HABS draft table, as he already knew the Leafs plans for the draft.
The HABS now have three holes to fill in their coaching staff. Number one need would have to be a Power Play coach, but if the Leafs let him go it’s because they weren’t happy with their Power Play, why would the HABS hire him? The other two openings in the HABS organization are with the Laval Rocket. On May 17, 2024 Rocket Assistant Coach Kelly Buchberger left to join the Devon Xtreme of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Today, June 21, 2024 it was announced that Head Coach Jean-Francois Houle and the Laval Rocket have mutually agreed to part ways.
Although, JFH only signed an extension on May 29, 2024, He is leaving to pursue a professional opportunity at the the f his Alma Mater Clarkson University in the NCAA. For more information please see my article at https://montrealsportsblog.wordpress.com/2024/05/29/laval-rockets-extends-coaching-staff/
Would Boucher want either jobs as coach or assistant coach in the AHL, if his ultimate goal is to coach in the NHL?Boucher previously worked for the HABS in the 2009-10 season as coach of the then AHL Hamilton Bulldogs, the HABS affiliate at the time.He left the organization when he was passed over to be the Head Coach of the HABS after former GM Bob Gainey fired then coach Jacques Martin.
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