ROY: “I WOULD LISTEN IF THE CANADIENS CALLED”

If an NHL team - namely the Montreal Canadiens - came calling regarding a vacant job, Patrick Roy certainly won't have his Stanley Cup rings plugged in his ears.

The former Canadiens goaltender and Hall of Famer told reporters on Sunday that he would consider any proposal that's brought to his attention at the end of the season.

"Once the end of the season arrives and if a team shows some interest in me - Colorado or Montreal for example - it's certain I would listen to see what kind of role I would have in the organization," Roy said at a media conference following a victory by his Quebec Remparts on Sunday. "So to respond to your question, yes - it is certain I would listen if the Canadiens called."

Roy's name has already been bandied about in media and fan circles as the logical choice to coach the Canadiens after the club replaced Jacques Martin over the weekend with interim head coach Randy Cunneyworth. Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier stipulated on Saturday that Cunneyworth would be behind the bench through the end of the season.

"I'm extremely flattered by the public's reaction," Roy told reporters. "Ever since my jersey retirement (in 2008), I've had a closer relationship with the fans and the Canadiens organization. When you see people continue to push for my candidacy, it's very flattering. It also encourages me because in some way it makes me realize that what we're doing with the Remparts is being recognized by admirers."

Roy, who is the coach, GM and part-owner of the Remparts, guided the QMJHL team to a Memorial Cup championship in 2006 and has helped build a perennial Top 10 CHL team in the provincial capital.

Since working with the Remparts, the 46-year-old has been a subject of speculation for NHL coaching and GM jobs with both the Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche - the two teams that Roy played for in his 18-year NHL career.

"Honestly, if I was appproached one day, it's the type of discussion I would like to keep quiet," Roy continued. "I'm at a period in my life where I'm analyzing every situation that presents itself to me."

Roy also addressed the questions about whether a non-French speaker should be awarded the top post in Montreal.

"It's a very delicate question," he explained. "I understand in one way that the Canadiens organization have given assistant coach positions to anglophones. I'm convinced it's a question that must annoy the organization. But sometimes we have no control of what happens. I imagine that Pierre Gauthier believes that the best person to replace Jacques Martin was a person internally. For the fans, it's not easy to accept. But they must have confidence in the organization."

In practice, the Kings did a 2-on-2 drill, split into two teams. After practice, the team bus diverted to a nearby Dairy Queen, and the losing team bought treats for the winners. It was a nice touch by Stevens and a solid attempt to keep a good team mood.