Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• In case you were on a plane for the last 15 hours, Michel Therrien was relieved of his duties on Tuesday afternoon and will be replaced by former Boston bench boss, Claude Julien. Scott Matla delves into how Julien can be an immediate benefit to this Montreal team. [EOTP] [SB Nation]
• And while he was oft-maligned, there’s no questioning his passion for the game. [Basu]/
• Canadiens owner Geoff Molson gives thanks for Therrien’s tenure and hard work/

Michel Therrien, merci beaucoup pour tout, thank you for giving everything you had to our Team. #GHG

— Geoff Molson (@GMolsonCHC) February 14, 2017

• All assistant coaches are remaining in Montreal for the time being. /

All the assistant coaches and associate coach will remain in place. #Canadiens

— Louis Jean (@LouisJean_TVA) February 14, 2017

• Where (some) Montreal fans rejoice, their Boston counterparts are left with their eyebrows raised. /

Remember when Bruins management didn't gift one of the best coaches in NHL to their deadly rivals?
That was a happy time.

— StanleyCup ofChowder (@cupofchowdah) February 14, 2017

• IF Alex Galchenyuk cannot immediately fill the void of the Habs’ much needed no. 1 centre void, is Matt Duchene a better trade off for the short term, and is it worth sacrificing success in the long run? [RDS] [EOTP]
• As the Montreal Canadiens are off for the bye week, the young guns of the Habs’ organization are busy at work as Mitch Brown provides an update on some of the standout prospects including Charles Hudon, Mikhail Sergachev, and Noah Juulsen. [EOTP]
• Needing help on the left wing as well at at centre, Mathieu Perreault could be an interesting, inexpensive solution. [EOTP]
• A look at the sacking of Michel Therrien from a player’s perspective. /

Max Pacioretty says "you feel guilty." We'll have the #habs captain on @Sportsnet at 6:30 p.m. ET reacting to the coaching change. Tune in!

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 14, 2017

Brendan Gallagher says it's "a wake-up call to the players." Tune in to @Sportsnet at 6:30 p.m. ET for his reaction to #habs shakeup.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 14, 2017

• Montreal’s new head coach Claude Julien certainly had options when it came to a new home, but at the end of the day, Montreal’s call was the most appealing./

Julien spoke to the Vegas Golden Knights. Montreal contacted him Monday. #Habs were very agressive. Put pen to paper Tuesday afternoon. 2/2

— Louis Jean (@LouisJean_TVA) February 14, 2017

Around the league and elsewhere

• The NHL is firing back at Dr. Bennet Omalu for having “inappropriately criticized one of its medical experts.” [TSN]
• Ahead of the All-Star Game, Carlee Campbell’s name was one with whom many were unfamiliar. Jared Book chatted with the All-Star captain and found that she’s a lot more than the knee-jerk “John Scott of women’s hockey” title. [EOTP]
• The Toronto Maple Leafs are a case in point example of why you probably should not trade away your first round pick. [Sportsnet]
• Columbus Blue Jackets’ Seth Jones employs basketball lessons to improve his game. [CBC]
• Along with the many changes the NHL has seen in the last couple of years, the playoff format could probably use an update — especially when you consider the league’s imbalanced conferences. [TSN]/