Canadiens hire Therien - 06-05-12

The Canadiens have hired former Penguins coach Michel Therrien as their head coach.

It is Therrien's second stint with the Canadiens. In parts of three seasons from 2000-01 until 2002-03, Therrien compiled a record of 77-77-36 in Montreal and reached the postseason once.

Therrien served as head coach of the Penguins for parts of four seasons from 2005-06 until 2008-09. He compiled a recod of 135-105-32 in Pittsburgh and reached the postseason twice. Previous to that, Therrien served as head coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Since being fired by the Penguins in February of 2009, Therrien has served as a scout for the Wild and a broadcaster in Quebec.

EN Says: Therrien is the right coach for the right situation. In other words, he's perfect for a rebuilding team and that's certainly where the Canadiens are as an organization right now. He will establish a new structure for the team as well as discipline.

But it's hard to believe that Therrien was the best candidate for this job. And according to several reports, former Avalanche/Canucks/Kings/Stars coach Marc Crawford was the second-best candidate.

No other league recycles retread coaches quite like the NHL.

(Photo: Dave Sandford/Getty Images)