Canadiens Fire Goaltending Coach In Middle Of Game

When you no longer want somebody around, why wait on telling him?

That seemed to be the Montreal Canadiens’ philosophy in their handling of goaltending coach Stephane Waite — who was fired after the second period of Tuesday’s 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators.

When a team makes a move such as this, it’s usually because something happened during the actual game. Otherwise, the conversation can wait until after the game.

But Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin told reporters that wasn’t the case. In fact, the decision to fire Waite was not based on anything that had taken place recently, Bergevin said. It has more to do with a “pattern” Bergevin noticed with Waite.

The Canadiens (10-6-5) are currently in fourth place, or smack dab in the middle, of the NHL’s North Division — which is comprised entirely of teams in Canada. Sean Burke has since taken over as the Canadiens’ director of goaltending.

Waite, 55, had been with the Canadiens since 2013, covering more than half of goaltender Carey Price’s career. That means Waite was Price’s coach in 2015, when Price became the first goaltender to win the Hart Trophy in 13 years.

Meanwhile, Burke’s contract expires at the end of the season, so who knows if he’ll be back? But with any luck, he’ll at least survive the next game.