Patrick Roy entered the Laval conversation Thursday after Pascal Vincent left for Lane Lambert's staff with the Seattle Kraken.
That's the unexpected turn around the Canadiens organization right now.
Vincent is out in Laval, and fans have already started connecting Roy to the opening.
Seattle confirmed Vincent's hire as an assistant coach, ending a strong two-year run behind the Rocket bench.
He leaves after helping Laval claim two straight North Division titles.
The Rocket made sure that run didn't go unnoticed.
Their message on X said:
"2 incredible seasons, 2 division championships, 1 McGregor Kilpatrick Trophy, 1 All-Star appearance, Coach of the Year Award in 2024-25. Thank you for everything, Paz! Best of luck in Seattle."
That post captured what Vincent meant to the club. He didn't just steady the farm team. He raised the standard and turned Laval into one of the AHL's best stories.
Vincent's latest honor only added to that.
He won the AHL Coach of the Year award for the 2024-2025 season, giving his exit even more weight inside the Canadiens pipeline.
Laval opens up, and Roy talk follows
Now the focus shifts to the next move.
With Vincent gone, the Rocket need a new head coach for the 2026-2027 season, and that's where Roy's name starts getting traction.
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Pierre LeBrun has reported that Roy remains a serious option for the Toronto Maple Leafs' head coaching job, which keeps his immediate future in play.
As long as that Toronto door stays open, the Laval angle sits in wait.
But if the Maple Leafs go in another direction, the idea of Roy stepping into Montreal's AHL system becomes a lot more interesting.
It's not a wild hockey fit either.
Roy has coached in the NHL, worked with young players, and knows what pressure looks like in this market. Laval's roster is loaded with prospects, and development is the whole story there.
That's why this has grabbed fans so quickly.
Vincent leaves big shoes behind, and Roy's name instantly changes the temperature around the opening. The Canadiens haven't shown their hand yet, but this is now a situation worth watching.
Should the Canadiens hire Patrick Roy to coach the Laval Rocket?
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