Hiring of Gerard Gallant: Statement by Kent Hughes

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Jim Sullivan
November 11, 2024 (2:34 PM)

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Earlier today, information relayed by Georges Laraque quickly fueled speculation about the future of the Montreal Canadiens coaching bench.

According to Laraque, on BPM Sports, general manager Kent Hughes and head coach Martin St. Louis were spotted with Gerard Gallant in a Toronto café this weekend.

This meeting, in the middle of the season, quickly suggested that the Habs could be looking to add reinforcements behind the bench, by hiring the former New York Rangers coach to support St. Louis.

However, just a few hours after this information was released, Renaud Lavoie, a journalist at TVA Sports, categorically refuted these rumors.

Lavoie assured that, contrary to Laraque's claims, no member of the Canadiens organization met with Gerard Gallant in Toronto or elsewhere.

He stressed that this story was unfounded and that no meeting had taken place between Gallant, Hughes and St. Louis.

"Contrary to what is currently circulating, no member of the @CanadiensMTL organization has met Gerard Gallant. Whether in Toronto or elsewhere." -Renaud Lavoie

Kent Hughes' own reaction was quick to follow.

In a brief conversation with La Presse, he said this:

"I've never spoken to Gerard Gallant in my life," Hughes said. "The last time I saw him was at the trophy ceremony in Las Vegas when he won the Jack Adams. That's not true information."

The lack of official confirmation from the Canadiens has left room for questions.

Could the story be a simple misinterpreted rumour? This will obviously be a case to follow in the coming hours and we look forward to hearing Martin St-Louis' comments, following the game in progress against the Buffalo Sabres.