Former Capitals goalie Shawn Simpson -- who has worked as a Maple Leafs scout and as the director of hockey operations in Washington -- has tweeted an interesting rumor:
The rumor makes sense (logistically speaking):
-- Roy and Hartley won a Stanley Cup together with the Avalanche in 2001.
-- Despite his anglophone-sounding name, Hartley’s first language is French (he’s a Franco-Ontarian). He spent two seasons coaching Laval of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
-- In case you haven’t heard, it’s beneficial for the Habs coach to speak French.
-- Roy’s already rumored to be leaving his QMJHL team, the Quebec Remparts, at season’s end. (Though he did shoot down those rumors recently.)
-- Current Habs GM Pierre Gauthier has struggled through a nightmarish campaign and Randy Cunneyworth was essentially hired to be fired. Both could be out the door after the season’s done.