Demers knows toll taken on Habs' coaches

Jacques Demers shares with The Montreal Gazette the physical and mental toll coaching the Canadiens, especially during the playoffs, can take on a coach.

Reflecting on even how tough it was for him after winning the Cup in 1993, Demers also understands the anguish felt by Michel Therrien following his team’s elimination from the playoffs. Demers knows that despite the Canadiens’ campaign being finished, Therrien’s job isn’t over.

“Coaching the Montreal Canadiens … for 12 months you are the coach of the Montreal Canadiens,” Demers said. “It’s not six months … the season’s not over for Michel. He’s going to get invitations to go everywhere. …

“The margin of error for a coach is non-existent,” Demers added. “Next year people will be saying, ‘Look how far we went, we’re six wins away from a Stanley Cup, we’re going to be better next year and we’re going to win the Cup.’ It doesn’t happen like that. I don’t wish that on them, but it’s possible they don’t make the playoffs next year. There can be injuries … everybody gets better … and there’s another challenge next year.”

Source: Stu Cowan, Montreal Gazette