What strategic changes would two members of the fabled 1986 Stanley Cup-winning Montreal Canadiens make if they were behind the bench today? Former teammates Chris Nilan and Rick Green, both of whom transitioned into coaching after their playing days, recently shared their insights on this very question.
From Stanley Cup Glory to the Coach's Bench
Following the conclusion of their illustrious NHL careers, both champions built significant experience in coaching. Chris Nilan served one season as an assistant coach under the legendary Jacques Lemaire with the New Jersey Devils. He then took the helm of the ECHL's Chesapeake Icebreakers for two seasons, earning the league's award for top coach in his first year.
Rick Green accumulated even more experience behind the bench, serving as an assistant coach for three seasons with the New York Islanders, four with the Los Angeles Kings, and another four with the very team where he became a legend, the Montreal Canadiens.
Exclusive Insights on The Hockey Inside/Out Show
The compelling discussion took place on a bonus episode of The Hockey Inside/Out Show. The Gazette's Stu Cowan posed a direct and intriguing question to the former Habs: what is one thing you would change if you were the head coach of the current Canadiens team?
While the original article's subscription model limits the full disclosure of their specific answers, the premise alone offers a fascinating glimpse into the hockey minds of two men who know what it takes to win in Montreal. Their perspectives are shaped by a unique combination of championship pedigree as players and practical, post-career coaching experience at various levels of the sport.
The Legacy of Leadership in Montreal
The conversation between Nilan and Green underscores a continuous thread of hockey knowledge that runs through the Canadiens' organization. Having players from the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup discuss modern coaching strategies connects the franchise's glorious past with its present ambitions.
This blend of historical success and contemporary analysis is precisely the kind of content that engages the passionate Canadiens fanbase, always eager for insights that could lead the team back to its former glory.
