Habs Fire GM, Coach

NHL teams

Coach Alain Vigneault was replaced by Michel Therrien, and general manager Rejean Houle was replaced by Andre Savard.

"As a result of our very poor results, we came to the conclusion that we needed to move quickly and somewhat radically with respect to our hockey administration," Canadiens president Pierre Boivin told a news conference.

Therrien takes over a team that is in a 1-10-1-0 slump with numerous injuries. The 24-time Stanley Cup champion Canadiens have become the worst team in the league with 12 points in 20 games.

"Michel is an excellent coach, he has proven his leadership and his great determination to win throughout his career," Boivin said.

Former captain Guy Carbonneau was also brought in as an assistant coach while scout Martin Madden was made the assistant GM.

"The bottom line is this game is played with a lot of passion," Therrien said. "This is one thing that myself and Guy are going to try to bring to our players, our passion and emotion. We're going to start with something, and this is what we're going to start with."

The team is up for sale and expected to be sold before the end of the year, but Boivin said that he wants the team to get better now.

"We are committed to doing whatever is required, of course within reason, to strengthen the team if there are opportunities to do so," he said.