The spotlight in Montreal has never burned hotter, but this time it isn’t a star player or a high-profile trade standing in its blinding glare—it’s a coach, caught in the crosshairs of controversy. The usually quiet corridors of the Bell Centre are suddenly buzzing, not with the roar of a last-minute goal, but with whispers of blame and the thunderous call for change. A single, searing accusation has sent shockwaves through the city, and its target is none other than the Canadiens’ goaltending coach, Éric Raymond.

It all began with a voice fans know well—a voice that doesn’t hesitate to speak uncomfortable truths. David Ettedgui, player agent and outspoken figure in Montreal’s hockey circles, has thrown down the gauntlet, publicly demanding Raymond’s dismissal in a move that has left fans and media scrambling for answers. The timing couldn’t be more dramatic: as Samuel Montembeault’s confidence evaporates and Jakub Dobes’ meteoric rise grinds to a halt, the search for someone to blame has taken a sharp, personal turn.

You could almost feel the tension crackle through the airwaves when Ettedgui took to BPM Sports, his words cutting through the usual post-game analysis with the force of a slapshot. “With all the respect I have for Éric, I think he didn’t do his job,” Ettedgui declared, igniting a firestorm of debate that spilled from radio studios to social media feeds, and right into the heart of the Canadiens’ locker room. For a team already struggling to find its footing, the pressure has reached a boiling point.

But is Raymond truly to blame for the Canadiens’ goaltending woes, or is he a convenient scapegoat in a season defined by frustration and unmet expectations? Since joining the organization in 2021, Raymond has watched the team’s netminders rise and fall under the harshest scrutiny in hockey. Yet, it’s only now—after a string of high-profile collapses and mounting losses—that his job security is being openly questioned, and not by just anyone, but by someone with deep ties to the players and the pulse of the fanbase.

As the story unfolds, the stakes become clear: this isn’t just about one coach or one position. It’s about the identity of a team, the future of its young goaltenders, and the relentless demand for results in a city where patience is always in short supply. Ettedgui’s explosive comments have forced everyone—from management to fans—to confront uncomfortable questions about leadership, accountability, and what it will take to turn the Canadiens’ season around.

What happens next? Will the Canadiens bow to public pressure and make a dramatic change behind the scenes, or will they stand by their embattled coach in the face of growing unrest? One thing is certain: the story is far from over, and every save—or missed opportunity—will be scrutinized more than ever before.

Photo of goalie coach Eric Raymond

Photo credit: NHL

There is indeed one Montreal Canadiens coach who has just been targeted by a call for dismissal, coming from a name well known to fans.

Notably because of the struggles of Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes this season, player agent (and well-known figure among Habs fans) David Ettedgui has just called for the dismissal of the team’s goaltending coach, Éric Raymond.

You read that right.

Raymond is now starting to be singled out for the rather incredible collapse of Samuel Montembeault, and also for that of the young Jakub Dobes, who was absolutely incredible following his call-up from the Laval Rocket last season.

David Ettedgui publicly calls for the dismissal of the Montreal Canadiens’ goaltending coach, Éric Raymond

He talked about it on BPM Sports and it’s a segment that sparked a lot of reaction.

“David Ettedgui is part of the group of people who want to see him leave, as well. He spoke about it on BPM Sports earlier today: the only way to revive Montembeault is to fire Raymond and give him a ‘fresh start.’”

– DLC

Ettedgui added the following:

“With all the respect I have for Éric, I think he didn’t do his job.” – David Ettedgui

Raymond has been with the Montreal Canadiens since 2021, so it’s been quite a while! And no, he was not hired by Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, but rather by Marc Bergevin.

Whether fair or not, Ettedgui’s comments increase pressure on Raymond as Montreal’s goaltending struggles continue.