With just one game to go in the Montreal Canadiens ill fated 2015-2016 season, one of the first big questions Habs fans are going to be asking after our season ends on Saturday is: Who will be the Habs head coach when the puck drops next season? As rumors indicate it will likely still be be Therrien, we had to ask our panel who they would like to see coaching the Canadiens next October.

Zach (@ZachDropsTweets) – I’ve become lightly obsessed with the Bruins’ recent tumble to the playoff fringe. My intrigue stems partially from the basic joy I draw from knowing the Bruins might be suffering as we suffer, but more importantly because it could signal the end of Julien behind the Bruins bench.

At the beginning of this season, Claude Julien seemed like the head coach most likely to lose his job next. However, he quickly proceeded to do his Claude Julien thing, which is to say, coach very well and push a mediocre Bruins team increasingly higher in the standings, to the point there have been occasional rumblings of a Jack Adams nod for the one-time Cup winner.

But if the Bruins fail to make the postseason for the second time in as many years, it seems likely that Julien’s tenure in Boston will come to an end, making him entirely available to replace Michel Therrien as the Canadiens’ head coach for the second time in his career.

I say, if he’s available, I’d like to see us go out and get one of the best coaches in the NHL in Claude Julien.

Kyle (@kylerouseel) – I’d like for the theory I concocted years ago to be validated. When the Habs pollinated the league with the likes of Therrien, Julien and Vigneault, they foresaw the dearth of French-speaking coaches and took matters in to their own hands. They’d need to ensure a crop of experienced coaches was out there, and it’s already “paid off” with Therrien doing his second tour of duty here. But if Therrien is to be fired, let’s hope that the Rangers and/or Bruins also decide to part ways with their coach. I see Julien and Vigneault as massive upgrades on Therrien and would love to have either back as coach.

Antoine (@HabsoluteTruth) –  My number one candidate has always been Guy Boucher. I’ve been a fan of the guy since his Voltigeurs days in the Q. He has familiarity with Subban and Pacioretty, he has a brilliant mind for hockey as far as tactics go, and his PP has always been among some of his team’s bread and butter. Some might not like him because he utilized a very passive forecheck (1-3-1) with the Lightning, and he’s been out of the NHL for the last three seasons, but for me none of that really matters.

He had no choice but to coach that way in Tampa Bay. Their defense was terrible (Gilroy, MAB, Lee, Gervais, Mikkelson, Aulie, Clark were all putrid and Hedman was far from the player he is today) and he had Mathieu Garon and a washed up Dwayne Roloson in net. He managed to reach the ECF with a pretty mediocre team that was essentially a one-line team (like the Thrashers in the mid ’00s).

With his background in psychology, his approach with the players would be a lot more appropriate and we’d actually see adjustments during games (holy crap, what’s that?). He’s also good with young players, unlike Therrien. I can’t imagine what a great mind like Boucher could do with the defense and goaltending we have.

I would also consider Vigneault and Julien if they become available, but I want nothing to do with Marc Crawford. The dude is as flawed as Therrien. Would be a lateral move at best.

Ian (@iHabs1995) – Not popular, but Guy Boucher is my pick. Let me explain.

First, this pick is not contingent on firings that may or may not happen. Second, let’s look at the circumstances of his first hiring. After selecting Brett Connolly 6th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Steve Yzerman and the Tampa Bay Lightning hired Boucher. In his first season behind the bench, the Bolts found immediate success as they came one goal away from eliminating the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins (sounds familiar, doesn’t it?). Tampa Bay lost to Boston 1-0 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. More impressive is the roster with which it was achieved. The forward core was incredibly top-heavy, and the defense vastly over-performed. That was Boucher’s handiwork. With a well balanced core, a new top-six scorer, and a healthier squad, it is not a stretch to believe that Boucher could do great things. And, you know, the best goaltender in the world. Yeah, that helps too.

Of course, knowing his feelings about David Desharnais, I would like to see Desharnais dealt with first before Boucher is allowed on board. I’m tired of only the “experienced” coaches being considered. Boucher didn’t really get a full shake the first time through, and with a better roster, he could have a coaching re-birth.

Shawn (@CrimsonSkorpion) – I’m going to agree with Antoine and Ian suggesting Guy Boucher. He has experience with Montreal’s organization, having coached the Hamilton Bulldogs and leading the team to a 52-17-11 record without some of their best players, who were called up to the Canadiens. He was also named coach of the year that season, and was then offered the coaching position by both the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning. If you think about his coaching style, the patented 1-3-1, defensive style, it would work well for this current Montreal team, who lack scoring talent but possesses a good amount of depth and could definitely strive under a well-polished system.

I’d also probably consider Vigneault as head coach, but not Julien. I’ve seen enough Bruins games this season and have spoken with some of their fans to know that Julien has some of the same coaching fallacies that Therrien has, including favouring bottom-six players over younger, more talented players. He has an excellent record, and a Stanley Cup ring to boot, but I have my doubts about him working out in Montreal.