Canadiens Bring Back Lemaire

On the verge of the worst winless streak in their illustrious history, the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday named ex-coach Jacques Lemaire a consultant to general manager and former teammate Rejean Houle.

The 53-year-old Lemaire had been serving as a consultant to the New Jersey Devils since stepping down as their head coach following last season's stunning first-round playoff loss to the Ottawa Senators. He had two years left on his contract with New Jersey and signed a three-year deal with the Canadiens.

"Jacques will be a real asset to our team," said Houle. "His knowledge of the league, combined with his experience at coaching, will help me on a daily basis to get a stronger evaluation of our own personnel, as well as a better evaluation of the current and future players of the NHL."

Lemaire, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, returns to Montreal, where he spent his entire 12-year playing career. He also served as the Canadiens' assistant to the managing director for seven years and had a 97-game tenure as coach from February 1984 through the 1984-85 season.

Lemaire won eight Stanley Cups as a player, two while in the Montreal front office and another as Devils coach in 1995. His career coaching record is an impressive 247-159-69 but he indicated at a news conference before Saturday night's game at Toronto he has no interest in coaching the Canadiens again.

Houle and other Montreal officials never discussed the prospect of Lemaire returning to coaching, according to Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello.

"That was not the intent, and they were right up front about that immediately and said that was not their interest," said Lamoriello, who explained Lemaire's role with the Canadiens will be similar to the one he left in New Jersey.

Asked if te devils would receive compensation, he said, "The only thing I would say is that Montreal gave us permission for Jacques to come and coach and we have given them permission for him to go back in an administrative capacity."

Pressure has been building on Houle with the Canadiens occupying last place in the Northeast Division. They are in the midst of an 11-game winless streak -- one short of the team record. At 8-18-7, Montreal is 10 games under .500 for the first time since the 1947-48 season.

Reports in Montreal suggest second-year coach Alain Vigneault's job is safe but a flurry of player moves could be on the way soon.

Forwards Saku Koivu, Vincent Damphousse and Mark Recchi have been battling a spate of injuries, combining for only two goals during the current winless streak.

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