Larry Robinson

Canadiens Hall of Famer Larry Robinson with his New Jersey Devils boss and friend Lou Lamoriello (right) at the Nov. 19, 2007 ceremony to retire Robinson's No. 19 at the Bell Centre.
Dave Sandford, Getty Images

DAVE STUBBS
The Gazette

Larry Robinson has been in a saddle long enough to know when a cart has been put before a horse.

And so it’s with mild amusement that the Hall of Fame defenceman hears his name being rumoured as a candidate for the head coaching position of the Canadiens.

A post that’s filled, for now and until further notice.

“The more we talk about this, the more it’s speculation,” Robinson said yesterday from Aiken, S.C., where he’ll be the rest of this month for a polo tournament. “Nobody knows what’s going on (with the Canadiens).

"Nobody knows if the team will be sold, who the owner might be – and there’s still hockey being played. For me to make any kind of decision now is preposterous. I don’t even know what I’m doing tomorrow. Well, I’m playing polo at 3 o’clock and I have a doctor’s appointment next Friday. They’re the only two sure things in my life right now.”

Larry Robinson won't be behind th bench in New Jersey this season.

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello told the New York Post Robinson had agreed to work one season in order to ease head coach Brent Sutter's transition from junior hockey to the NHL.

Robinson will remain with the club as a special assignment coach.

Hmmmmm, wonder what team could use a Hall of Fame defenceman on its coaching staff.

• Pat Hickey thinks Hockey Night in Canada made a smart move in hiring Mike Milbury.

• Martin Rucinsky is going home to play for Sparta Prague.

• Signings: Dennis Wideman, who made $600,000 last season, re-ups with the Bruins: four years, $15.75 million. Wideman will make $2 million more than Mike Komisarek this season, an injustice that will be rectified in 2009-'10 and for many seasons thereafter.

Daniel Carcillo, who led the league with a miind-boggling 324 PiM – and he missed 25 games! –  a Phoenix rookie, has signed a two-year deal with the Coyotes. Phoenix acquired Carcillo in the trade that sent Georges Laraque to Pittsburgh.