When Marc Bergevin hinted at managerial changes, many hinted that the targets might be on the two assistant head coach positions on the Montreal Canadiens bench. JJ Daigneault and Dan Lacroix have had that position for the last five and four years respectively, but based on the performance of the team, that was an area that needed an upgrade.
Additionally, when of the bones Claude Julien has been thrown since being named head coach was that his assistants were inherited and not chosen by him. Daigneault and Lacroix were of a previous regime and again, one that had short-term success.