It seems they were jumping the proverbial gun, posting odds Wednesday on who would be the next coach and general manager of the Montreal Canadiens.
Montreal GM Odds: Patrick Roy Hot Topic After Canadiens Fire Pierre Gauthier
Odds on who would be the next Montreal Canadiens GM went up Wednesday. Coincidentally, their current GM got sacked Thursday. Who is favored to take over?
After all, Pierre Gauthier was still the general manager and rumored candidates to replace him (Patrick Roy included) had denied anything was happening. So when Gauthier was fired Thursday, Bovada’s Patrick Roy GM odds posted a day earlier suddenly became a hot topic of conversation. And betting, especially in Canada, where hockey is king.
"When the winningest team in NHL history is last in the conference, it means changes are coming, especially in Montreal," said Jack Randall, hockey analyst at OddsShark.com, which provides NHL odds to SBNation.com.
"There were rumors last week that Roy would team with Bob Hartley to take over next season, and that’s where the odds got going."
Roy won two Stanley Cups with the Habs during his Hall of Fame career. He has been alternately coach and general manager of the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL, the team that sent Guy Lafleur to the NHL four decades ago.
And Hartley, who also speaks French – a key component for any executive in French-speaking Quebec – is a former Colorado Avalanche coach who led that team to the Cup. (The team plays Friday against the East-leading Rangers).
Bovada asked would Roy be the team’s general manager to start next season and set ‘yes’ odds at 3/2. The ‘no’ reply was favored at 1/2. The odds were shorter that he would become the coach (4/7).
Montreal Canadiens GM odds
- Will Patrick Roy be the Montreal Canadiens general manager for Game 1 of the 2012-13 NHL season? Yes 3/2, No 1/2
- Will Patrick Roy be the Montreal Canadiens head coach for Game 1 of the 2012-13 NHL season? Yes 4/7, No 5/4
- Will Bob Hartley be the Montreal Canadiens head coach for Game 1 of the 2012-13 NHL season? Yes 2/1, No 1/3
- Will Patrick Roy be the Montreal Canadiens general manager for Game 1 of the 2012-13 NHL season? Yes 3/2, No 1/2
- Will Patrick Roy be the Montreal Canadiens head coach for Game 1 of the 2012-13 NHL season? Yes 4/7, No 5/4
- Will Bob Hartley be the Montreal Canadiens head coach for Game 1 of the 2012-13 NHL season? Yes 2/1, No 1/3
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