Pascal Vincent Off To Great Start With Canadiens AHL Affiliate

Things have taken a turn for the worse for the Montreal Canadiens this season. That’s to be expected in a rebuild, there’s no avoiding ebbs and flows, though it is concerning the team is regressing rather than progressing. It’s a frustrating situation for all involved, including the fans, however, there is some solace to be found in the AHL.

The Laval Rocket are off to a great start to the season, as evidenced by their current five-game win streak. Not only are they controlling the majority of the shots during their games, they’ve only lost once, placing them among the best teams in the league. Believe it or not, their 6-0-1 record is not good enough to take the North Division lead, that honour belongs to the Toronto Marlies, a team that is yet to lose in regulation, but it does mark a significant improvement for a team that has failed to meet expectations year after year.

Bench Boss Betterment

It seems the Canadiens have finally installed a head coach in the AHL who is a good communicator, while also being adept at teaching young players how to play within a system. That’s not to say the former coaches brought nothing to the table, but Pascal Vincent’s ability to walk the line between instruction and affability is quite the boon for the organization.

Many coaches will attempt to take that approach, but few are successful.

Of course, talent plays a part in the AHL equation, and there’s no denying having players such as Alexandre Barre-Boulet and Joshua Roy in the mix makes things easier on the head coach. On that note, it’s not always easy to keep players focused when their ultimate goal is to return to the NHL.

Vincent has a wealth of experience that helps him navigate the choppy waters in Laval, as he has spent significant time in the CHL, and the AHL, not to mention three years in the NHL. Simply put, there aren’t many situations that he’s yet to encounter.

Prospect Advancement

Winning is not Vincent’s primary mandate, but it is an important aspect of player development, his ultimate goal. Losing will eventually ruin a locker room, and the stench of defeat is very difficult to air out.

But if the team’s top prospects learn to win in a professional setting before making their way to Montreal, they’ll have a leg up when it comes to adapting to the NHL.

Roy is currently on pace for a 41-goal season, which indicates he’s taking his AHL assignment seriously. He deserves most of the credit, but it must be said that Vincent is giving him every opportunity possible to prove his worth. Vincent helped Roy focus on the task at hand, exactly what the 21-year-old needed after a suboptimal training camp with the Canadiens that left him with a bitter taste in his mouth.

Joshua Roy’s goal tonight.. Can we get this kid back up in MTL please? I think It’s time to unleash Wawa.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Q494yyuUrU

— Hockey Junkie (@HockeyJunkieYT) October 26, 2024

Luke Tuch, Adam Engstrom, Owen Beck, Florian Xhekaj, and Filip Mesar have enjoyed a very solid start to their professional hockey careers in North America, and though the latter is now injured, Vincent made a point of paying special attention to Mesar’s needs, insulating him with knowledge and support while also encouraging him to give an honest effort every practice. Jared Davidson has also responded quite well to Vincent’s appointment as the team’s new head coach, with two goals and three assists in seven games, good for third overall in team scoring.

As for Barre-Boulet, his production comes as no surprise. He’s one of the best players in recent league history, and is currently on pace to score 28 goals and 84 assists in 70 games. That being said, the main concern with 27-year-old was never his skill set. There comes a point when certain veterans start to feel bitter about their AHL assignments, particularly players like Barre-Boulet, who have spent the majority of their careers in the minors. Vincent has helped him keep his eyes on the prize while encouraging him to lead the team in the meantime. He also provided a certain level of empathy, which is very important in the AHL.

“He has an exemplary attitude,” explained Vincent. “He understands the situation. He wants to return to the NHL and put himself in a position where the Canadiens cannot afford to assign him to the AHL.”

It’s much too early to plan the parade in Laval, and though he’s certainly a good candidate to take over in the NHL should a job opening arise, his current success in the AHL is not a threat to Martin St-Louis. If anything, Vincent is helping St-Louis by teaching the young players who will eventually play for the Canadiens how to act like professionals, both on and off the ice.

As it stands, thanks to Vincent, the Rocket are enjoying team success, powered by individual growth and top-notch instructions from the coaching staff, the ideal situation for the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate,