Ex-Anaheim Ducks Goalie Coach Francois Allaire Quits Most Recent Job with Toronto Maple Leafs
By jer
March 6, 2012; Toronto, ON, CANADA; Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach Dave Farrish (left) and head coach Randy Carlyle (center) and goaltending coach Francois Allaire (right) during the pre game warm up against the Boston Bruins at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-US PRESSWIRE
Though this isn’t exactly Anaheim Ducks news, it’s always interesting to see what’s going on in the lives of ex-Ducks players and staff that played a key role in Ducks history.
Yesterday François Allaire, the former Ducks goalie coach who moved to Toronto three seasons ago, told the National Post that he would not be returning to the Maple Leafs organization. Allaire cited differing philosophies between him and the rest of the coaching staff (which, as you no doubt recall, includes former Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle) as the reason he’s decided to leave.
From the National Post:
"“To be honest, I don’t think the Leafs need a goalie coach,” said Allaire, who is unsure where he will coach this season. “I think they have enough of them. They have two or three guys who were making decisions with the goalies. In the NHL, that’s not the way it works.“If that’s the way they want to operate, then I’m not there.”"
Allaire has one of the most successful records of any NHL goalie coach, having lead netminders such as J.S. Giguere to a Conn Smythe in 2002-03 and a Stanley Cup in 2006-07, and Patrick Roy to Stanley Cup wins in 1985-86 and 1992-93 (Roy would also win the Vezina Trophy in 1989, 1990, and 1992). However, Allaire did not find much success in turning things around in Toronto (where he didn’t have too much to work with).
Today, Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke had this to say on the club’s official website:
"“I regret that I have to deal with this matter publicly but I feel the need to respond. Was there interference from the staff as he said there was? Yes. But it was done reluctantly and it was done to change elements of our goaltending that was sub-par.”"
Burke went on to imply that it was Allaire’s unwillingness to evolve that made him ineffective in Toronto. These statements are in stark contrast to what Brian Burke was saying about Allaire just a few month ago. Back in march, Burke was singing Allaire’s praises. From CBC Sports:
"“It’s not just the goaltending in my mind. I think the goaltending is bearing a disproportionate and unfair share of the blame for where we are.”Burke confirmed that Francois Allaire, who also worked with Burke, Carlyle and Farrish in Anaheim, would remain in his position as goaltending coach in Toronto.“I think we have the best goalie coach on the planet,” he said."
It’ll be interesting to see where Allaire ends up down the road, and what he’s able to make of his future team’s goalie situation. He is certainly one who deserves keeping an eye on.
Jer is ready for the lockout to be over. Follow him on Twitter @JerMeansWell.