MONTREAL — Guy Carbonneau was fired as coach of the struggling Montreal Canadiens, hockey’s most historic franchise that is in danger of missing the playoffs in its 100th season.
The timing of Monday’s move was a bit surprising because the Canadiens are currently in a playoff position and there are just 16 games left in the regular season.
General manager Bob Gainey, who handed over the coaching duties to Carbonneau three years ago, will return behind the bench when Montreal hosts Edmonton today.
The Canadiens are tied with Carolina for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, but only one point above the postseason cutoff.
Montreal (35-24-7) went into a free fall in late January and February, losing 10 of 13. The Canadiens, 5-4-1 in their previous 10 games, won 3-1 at Dallas on Sunday in their last game with Carbonneau as coach.
“The last eight weeks of performance have been below average, and I believe a change in the direction at ice level is necessary,” Gainey said. “For sure, Guy was a special player for Canadiens, a captain.
“He took a very difficult job (as coach) and tried his best to advance the team. It’s never an easy message to deliver to anyone, but it was at a point where I felt it was needed.”
Carbonneau officially became an NHL head coach for the first time on May 5, 2006, after serving as an associate to Gainey for the final 41 games of the 2005-06 season. Gainey took the job after firing coach Claude Julien. He announced then that Carbonneau would take over as head coach the following season.
In 230 games with the Canadiens, Carbonneau was 124-83-23. He is the seventh NHL coach fired this season, and the fourth in five weeks. There are no plans for him to remain in the organization.
Gainey, a Hall of Fame forward in 16 seasons with the Canadiens, had a coaching stint with the Minnesota-Dallas franchise from 1990-96 while also serving as GM. He was 23-15-3 behind the Canadiens bench.
Last season, the Canadiens finished first in the East with a 47-25-10 record, but were bounced from the playoffs in the second round by Philadelphia. Carbonneau was a finalist for the Jack Adams Trophy as coach of the year.
Hurricanes recall center Sutter
The Carolina Hurricanes recalled center Brandon Sutter for the game against the New York Rangers on Monday night. Sutter was recalled from Albany of the AHL, general Manager Jim Rutherford said.
The 20-year-old Sutter scored three goals and earned an assist in seven games for Albany since he was assigned for a conditioning stint.
Sutter, of Huntington, N.Y., is the son of New Jersey coach Brent Sutter and the ninth member of his family drafted into the NHL. In his first full professional season, he’s scored one goal and earned five assists in 50 games with the Hurricanes.
Stars sign Sutherby
The Dallas Stars have signed center Brian Sutherby to a two-year contract worth $1.6 million. The Stars announced the signing Monday. Sutherby, 27, was acquired in a trade from the Anaheim Ducks in December.
In 50 games with the Stars and Ducks this season, he has recorded eight goals, seven assists and 54 penalty minutes. Sutherby was a first-round draft choice of the Washington Capitals in 2000.
He has played in 354 NHL games with the Capitals, Ducks and Stars.
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