And Claude Julien thought it was tough working in Montreal.
Getting sacked by Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello three games before the playoffs, Julien admitted yesterday, hurt worse than being fired by the Canadiens midway through the 2005-06 season. It's almost self-explanatory," Julien told reporters in a conference call. "Last year was the first time in my whole coaching career I was let go. I went 13 years before I got fired. In my mind, I was hoping to go another 13 years.
"We're all human. No doubt it hurts. You don't want to be let go with three games left in the season. It's a normal reaction. We, as coaches, are as competitive as players. I was looking forward to going into the playoffs."
In fact, Julien said he had high expectations. He disputed Lamoriello's claim that the Devils couldn't win the Stanley Cup with Julien behind the bench.
"If I didn't think (I could win the Cup), I'd be in the wrong business," Julien said. "My job is to believe you can win the Stanley Cup with every team you coach."
Julien, who said he was taken by surprise when Lamoriello relieved him of his coaching duties in a meeting Monday morning, said he doesn't regret taking the job.
"I still, to this day, say I made the right decision coming to this organization," Julien said. "The organization has always had high expectations and I wanted to be part of it. Lou has been nothing but fair with me and has treated me well."
Curious words since he lost his job with the Devils in first place in the Atlantic Division despite enduring injuries to several key players.
"I don't think you come to work expecting to lose your job with three games left," Julien said. "These are situations, unfortunately, that coaches have to live with every day. This is a job not as secure as people might think it is. You lose your job. I did my best. That's something I can tell you."
There have been suggestions that goalie Martin Brodeur led a small group of players who were dissatisfied with Julien, and that Lamoriello wanted to change the atmosphere in the dressing room. Brodeur denied that was true and Julien would not acknowledge any problems between himself and the players.
"Maybe what Lou feels is we need a little more of a strong hand on us," Brodeur said. Julien hopes the firing won't tarnish his reputation.
"It's a decision Lou made based on what he felt was right for the hockey club," Julien said. "All I can hope for is someone will be looking for a coach and give me that opportunity."
And the Devils?
"I've gone too far this year with this team to turn around and not hope for the best for them," Julien said. "I think this team can win the Stanley Cup. For them to win the Stanley Cup would not hurt me at all."
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Notes: X-rays on Brian Gionta's foot were negative and he made the trip to Philadelphia, but Lamoriello is reluctant to play the right winger.
"No, I don't think so," Lamoriello said. "It's possible, but I would say there is less of a chance for him playing."
Gionta, who did not practice, was hit by a Patrik Elias shot in the third period of Tuesday night's game against Ottawa.
"I was kind of screened by the 'D' in front of me and it hit me in the foot," Gionta said. "It's bruised. Swelling is an issue, but not right now. We've been able to contain it."...
Scott Gomez (bruised thigh) practiced and declared himself ready to play after missing two games.... Cam Janssen also made the trip but won't play because of a sore shoulder he hurt in his March 30 fight with Philadelphia's Riley Cote.... Defenseman Richard Matvichuk, coming off back surgery, accompanied the team and could make his season debut.
Getting sacked by Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello three games before the playoffs, Julien admitted yesterday, hurt worse than being fired by the Canadiens midway through the 2005-06 season. It's almost self-explanatory," Julien told reporters in a conference call. "Last year was the first time in my whole coaching career I was let go. I went 13 years before I got fired. In my mind, I was hoping to go another 13 years.
"We're all human. No doubt it hurts. You don't want to be let go with three games left in the season. It's a normal reaction. We, as coaches, are as competitive as players. I was looking forward to going into the playoffs."
In fact, Julien said he had high expectations. He disputed Lamoriello's claim that the Devils couldn't win the Stanley Cup with Julien behind the bench.
"If I didn't think (I could win the Cup), I'd be in the wrong business," Julien said. "My job is to believe you can win the Stanley Cup with every team you coach."
Julien, who said he was taken by surprise when Lamoriello relieved him of his coaching duties in a meeting Monday morning, said he doesn't regret taking the job.
"I still, to this day, say I made the right decision coming to this organization," Julien said. "The organization has always had high expectations and I wanted to be part of it. Lou has been nothing but fair with me and has treated me well."
Curious words since he lost his job with the Devils in first place in the Atlantic Division despite enduring injuries to several key players.
"I don't think you come to work expecting to lose your job with three games left," Julien said. "These are situations, unfortunately, that coaches have to live with every day. This is a job not as secure as people might think it is. You lose your job. I did my best. That's something I can tell you."
There have been suggestions that goalie Martin Brodeur led a small group of players who were dissatisfied with Julien, and that Lamoriello wanted to change the atmosphere in the dressing room. Brodeur denied that was true and Julien would not acknowledge any problems between himself and the players.
"Maybe what Lou feels is we need a little more of a strong hand on us," Brodeur said. Julien hopes the firing won't tarnish his reputation.
"It's a decision Lou made based on what he felt was right for the hockey club," Julien said. "All I can hope for is someone will be looking for a coach and give me that opportunity."
And the Devils?
"I've gone too far this year with this team to turn around and not hope for the best for them," Julien said. "I think this team can win the Stanley Cup. For them to win the Stanley Cup would not hurt me at all."
======
Notes: X-rays on Brian Gionta's foot were negative and he made the trip to Philadelphia, but Lamoriello is reluctant to play the right winger.
"No, I don't think so," Lamoriello said. "It's possible, but I would say there is less of a chance for him playing."
Gionta, who did not practice, was hit by a Patrik Elias shot in the third period of Tuesday night's game against Ottawa.
"I was kind of screened by the 'D' in front of me and it hit me in the foot," Gionta said. "It's bruised. Swelling is an issue, but not right now. We've been able to contain it."...
Scott Gomez (bruised thigh) practiced and declared himself ready to play after missing two games.... Cam Janssen also made the trip but won't play because of a sore shoulder he hurt in his March 30 fight with Philadelphia's Riley Cote.... Defenseman Richard Matvichuk, coming off back surgery, accompanied the team and could make his season debut.
