Change on the horizon?

Coaching in question in Montreal.

  Although Montreal can take solice from losing to the eventual Stanley cup winning Lightning, there are rumours circulating that a change may be coming in the next few days.  Coach Claude Julien's contract is up for renewal but neither side has begun talks with a critical expansion off season about to begin.  Julien is one of the top coaches in the league and would be hard to replace but there are a few younger candidates out there who could possibly inspire this group to push past the second round and propel what's left of this team to a higher level of success. 

  There are many holes to fill in this Habs roster.  Starting goalie Mike Smith has stated that he will likely test the open market and why wouldn't he?  He's due for far more than the 2 million he was earning and that's a price the Canadiens can't afford.  Also likely leaving is Max Pacioretty.  High expectations were placed on him when Montreal re-traded for him while paying a premium to the Sharks.  His play in Montreal was nothing but a shadow of it's formal self and his scoreless playoff run was enough for both sides to break away.  GM Rainville has expressed a desire to have him return but with 31 other teams and a salary cap it will be hard to compete.

  There's plenty of things happening around the league and plenty of change coming for most of us.  Seattle will try to take our children and Kraken our spirits.  These are exciting times indeed.