The hockey world was rocked this morning when the Montreal Canadiens officially announced the dismissal of head coach Martin St. Louis after three seasons behind the bench. But if fans were stunned by the news, they weren’t alone—some of the Habs’ biggest stars are still trying to process the seismic shake-up themselves.
Within hours of the team’s announcement, key players including Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovský spoke candidly to media and fans, offering a rare glimpse into the emotional toll of an unexpected leadership change.
“He Was More Than Just a Coach”
Caufield, who blossomed into a top scorer under St. Louis’ player-first philosophy, didn’t hide his emotions.
> “It hit me hard,” said the 24-year-old winger. “Marty believed in me when a lot of people didn’t. He gave me the freedom to play my game. This one stings.”
He added, “It’s not just about hockey. He cared about us as people. That’s rare in this league.”
Slafkovský: “We Didn’t See This Coming”
Second-year sensation Juraj Slafkovský, who credited St. Louis with helping him find his confidence after a rocky rookie year, echoed similar sentiments.
> “We were shocked,” Slafkovský admitted. “We were building something together. I owe a lot to him—he really helped me grow. It’s tough to see him go.”
When asked if he felt the team let the coach down, the 20-year-old paused before saying, “Maybe. We know the results weren’t always there, but we were getting closer.”
A Divided Locker Room?
Sources close to the team suggest the decision came not from a unanimous front office but from growing pressure from ownership, frustrated with Montreal’s inconsistency and another playoff miss. While St. Louis was beloved by players, the front office reportedly wanted a more “structured, defense-first” direction for a young, developing roster.
> “The message from upstairs was clear,” one insider said. “It’s time to take the next step. They didn’t think Marty was the guy to get them there.”
What’s Next?
General Manager Kent Hughes remained tight-lipped about St. Louis’ replacement, only saying that “the search is already underway” and that the team is “looking for a leader who can push this group to the next level.”
For now, assistant coach Trevor Letowski will serve as interim head coach.
But as the dust settles, one thing is clear: this is more than just a coaching change. It’s a defining moment in the Canadiens’ rebuild—a pivot point that could either launch the team into true contention or derail a promising youth movement.
Final Thoughts
Coaching changes are part of the game. But when a locker room reveres a coach the way Montreal’s young stars did with St. Louis, the emotional aftermath is anything but ordinary. This isn’t just about Xs and Os. It’s about trust, identity, and a team still figuring out who they are—and who they want to become.
Stay tuned to HabsPulse.com for live updates as the Canadiens’ coaching search unfolds