This Bruins-Canadiens rivalry just got a whole lot more interesting.
Assuming you saw Claude Julien got the Montreal Canadiens head coaching job this week, you probably have some sort of opinion on it, assuming you care about the NHL. And I mean, why wouldn’t you? This is a guy who coached the Bruins for over a decade, won a Stanley Cup, disappointed the hell out of you in the previous two seasons, got fired and went to the rival. Did I miss anything there? Seriously, though, it’s not really in your best interest to hate on Claude.
It was time to let him go. Maybe the Patriots parade wasn’t the best time but so what? He wasn’t working out in Boston. Did anyone want to see him tank this team in April? No. And when Claude got cut by the Bruins, what was he supposed to do? The guy was a free agent.
Obviously, someone was going to hire him to be a head coach. It’s just super ironic the top team in the Atlantic Division (just went there) also needed a head coach. When they offered him five years and $20 million, what was he supposed to do? Say no to spare Bruins fan’s feelings. Nah. Nah. Not even close.
Remember too, he was the Canadiens head coach for the entire 2003-2004 season, half of the year prior, the lockout year and half the year after that. So two full seasons in four seasons total. Plus he is Canadian, so there’s that.
Can I get this guy to sing at my birthday party sometime?
Of course, this is the United States of America so you can do whatever you want. If you want to hate Claude irrationally, then go for it. We can do whatever we want here. It’s not an oppressive dictatorship — like Canada (joking of course).
Last point: shouldn’t Bruins fans be excited the Canadiens got a coach who can tank their season in April?