Another season slumming around the 7-11 seeds in the East was too much for GM Tomayko to handle. The Canadiens have traded away the remaining years of the team's Haagen-Daz sponsorship that was included with Bruce Boudreau for 2.5 million and Jeff Woywitka. The deal also included Ken Hitch**** coming from the Thrashers until league approval brought in the new coaching staff for the Canadiens.
Later in the day, the Canadiens signed 1-year contracts for their new Head Coach, Scott Arniel. "Scott has done quite a bit in the AHL, and he has transitioned nicely to the NHL level with the Blue Jackets," GM Tomayko stated. "We are happy to bring him in along side for the long run of this team."
Kevin Dineen, coach of the AHL runner-up last season, also felt the wrath of GM Tomayko by being let go. In his replacement, Mike Yeo takes reign. "It was a whole shake-up. We couldn't pinpoint the entire issue; so, we're starting a new. The Canadiens are not going to look like the team that started this season because of player movements and improved coaching skills."
