In a surprising twist this NHL off-season, former Montreal Canadiens head coach Claude Julien has officially joined the St. Louis Blues as an assistant coach—and he didn’t hold back in a pointed message directed at his former team and its current head coach, Martin St-Louis.
The Blues confirmed the hiring this morning via a press release, welcoming Julien as part of head coach Drew Bannister’s evolving coaching staff.
Julien, 64, last coached in the NHL in 2021 when he was let go by the Canadiens during a turbulent season. Since then, he’s kept a relatively low profile, occasionally contributing to international hockey programs, including a stint with Team Canada.
But today, the veteran coach re-entered the NHL spotlight—and it didn’t take long for him to make headlines.
During his introductory press conference in St. Louis, Julien was asked about returning to the league and whether he had any unfinished business.
His answer was a not-so-subtle shot across the bow:
> “I still believe in coaching with structure, accountability, and discipline. There’s a place in the NHL for that kind of system. I think some teams have strayed too far from that. I’ll just leave it at that.”
Insiders and analysts were quick to interpret this as a veiled critique of Martin St-Louis’s more free-flowing, player-first coaching style—one that has been praised by young players but questioned by some traditionalists.
While St-Louis has guided the Canadiens through a youth-oriented rebuild, questions remain about his tactical approach and whether he can elevate the Habs to contender status.
Julien’s return to the league not only stirs nostalgia but adds an extra layer of drama to future matchups between the Canadiens and Blues. Could there be a coaching rivalry brewing beneath the surface?
One thing’s for sure: Claude Julien is back, and he’s got something to prove