#12: Jacques Lemaire Interview : Raw Knuckles Podcast

9 time Stanley Cup Winner and NHL Hall of Fame legend Jacques Lemaire joins the show to talk Stanley Cups, Coaching Chris Nilan, "The Trap" and much more!
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[@danielgareau2836]

Knuckles, congrats on being named one of the new Habs ambassadors. Totally deserved and you'll be awesome at it 🙂

[@rogerbutchbouchard8019]

Wow! A classic interview with Lemaire that will be preserved as one of the best in hockey. You are a natural at this Chris. And you do the most interesting interviews by far!

[@24tippper]

I really agree. In fact, the NHL today is FAR LESS EXCITING than when Chris Nilan played the game. As a lifetime Canadiens fan, I am bored to tears by today's NHL. I want to see someone like Chris Nilan drop the gloves and fight That is totally missing from today's game.

[@timburr4453]

He is one of the best coaches in NHL history And this interview shows his personality well...Lemaire is quite the character and we didn't always get a chance to see that when he was behind the bench. He's got a great sense of humor and you can see why he had such great longevity at the coach. I'll never forget what he did with the 93-94 Devils team, he established them as an NHL power.

[@quiricomazarin476]

2nd best the guy who lived from the town to the right of him was better.

[@tomklasky8595]

As a man in his 40s watching this is amazing. One of the best players and coaches. He was so innovative for his time. Great interview Chris

[@lalalafamille]

This podcast is so good... Knuckles bravo to you and your partner... Having Jacques Lemaire... One of the great ones... God Jacques Lemaire had the scariest slap shot when he started. What a line, Shut Lafleur Lemaire... So happy for your nomination as Habs ambassadors... Keep on the good work.

[@quiricomazarin476]

Should have kept mahovlitch.... Gave my hockey stick signed by Jacques & Yvan to my nephew....

[@fosterch11]

the great Jacques Lemaire - great as a player and as a coach

[@dannythomas417]

And the greatest Leaf killer of all-time. Once he joined the league in '67, everything turned to shit for Toronto.

[@HeavyTefflon]

POS has a human

[@ricktaylor66]

This is an honest and open dissertation of professional sport and life by a GIANT on the pantheon of what we call coaches. Jacques Lemaire is, was, and always wil be amongst the the most underappeciated voices in sport.

[@crankybastid2197]

I love this podcast. I grew up watching Jacques, Larry, Serge, Kenny, and basically that whole team. They were so good we basically took that for granted. To be able to listen to Jacques' time in hockey after his playing career, and to see his face light up when talking about it is pure gold. Habs fans young and old are so lucky, and should be grateful that you are making these podcasts. Thank you for choosing this mode of communication, you do an awesome job. Go Habs Go!

[@jsghetler]

Best thing that ever happened to Knuckles was getting off TSN690. Damn, habs ambassador, great podcast.

[@sarkisiangeorge]

I never realized Jacques LeMaire had such a great command of the English language. Bravo to him.

[@dhosquet]

I'm a Montrealer, I saw A LOT of these guys (French Canadians playing for Montreal) play and talk for yeeears ... then they move on and I lose track of them, then they come back and I'm shocked! Lemaire, Roy, Claude Lemieux ... their English is amazing. And as Chris shows in these conversations - amazing guys.

[@sarkisiangeorge]

@@dhosquet bravo to you for saying that. Most native French Canadian speakers/hockey players become bilingual. I don’t know if non-native French Canadians who play for montreal learn to speak French. I know Peterborough’s bob gainey speaks French. There may be others. Knowing multiple languages is never a bad thing.

[@somejohndoe3004]

Chris and Jacques, two Montreal legends. 🏆🔥

[@dhosquet]

Growing up in Montreal, and NOT a Canadiens fan to say the least, but Jacque Lemaire was the one guy I really loved watching. Not even sure why ... he was never flashy, but damn, he was always in the right place at the right times.

[@jamesd2128]

Jacques tore my Bruins a new a..hole in Finals of 77/78, just a great all around disciplined player.

[@jpecci1262]

He showed early in the 1968 playoffs.. was not going to be a player to be trifled with.

[@miketaylor013]

First hockey game i ever watched, Guy Lafleur to Jacques Lemaire to win the cup. I’ve been a fan ever since, I wear number 10 because of this. Loved Jacques as a player, hated him as a coach only because he took some of the flying Frenchmen out of every team with his effective whole team effort because of individual skill levels. It worked but was hard to watch, best defence was a great offence. This was an awesome interview, so many more questions or stories to be told. A legend and only 12 years of NHL as a player and wins 8 times after expansion, one of the NHL’s top 100, HHOF in only 853 games. Imagine, 8 times and all the accolades, lol he must be the only player to have won 8 cups to not have his numbers retired. Then to hear he was a favourite coach of some of my fav players is awesome, if the Habs aren’t represented, I just want 7 games and more great hockey. Chris I did the addiction thing too back in the day, thanks for sharing your story, knowing guys aren’t alone is very important. Cheers brother.

[@machader6736]

Chris,Tim, I love your show. I’m a life long Habs fan and I remember Knuckles as a very young boy,as wel as Todd Ewen and John Kordic.Mom always pointed out the tough guys! Great show! I look forward to it every week.I could listen to you guys for days. I’m Shawn from P.E.I. Thanks boys!

[@connorgrand6889]

My Hero as well as the Peter & Frank Mahovlich Hell the whole Dam Team! I never got to meet you Chris but I was glad you were in my tent and pissing out not the other way around! Jacque's lived on my way back from High School and Jacques caught me getting his autograph twice in the same week "didn't I see you earlier in the week" He was nice and gave me another I was a bit embarrassed but what a class act! You guys made me proud to be a Habitant Fan Merci a tous Mike

[@alyours2889]

Wow! Chris Nilan and Jacques Lemaire shooting about good ol' time? This is gold...keep that great content coming! This channel will grow! An interview with Mats Naslund would be cool!

[@AttommicDog]

I love watching coach Lemaire take the dream team question so seriously. You could see him envisioning how the dream team would actually play. What a classic.

[@IntoTheWildFlyFishing]

Knuckles, you're honestly a natural at this. This was the best podcast so far. You can see and hear the passion you all shared in Montreal. Way to go!

[@richardsavignac1650]

Coool interview Knuckles Thanks

[@costa328]

Chris your expression listening to Jacques tell his stories is like a little kid taking in every word his idol says 🙂

[@harles5000]

Well done Yankee boys! 😂 Love the show! Thanks for having my hero Jacques on the show!

[@timdubois407]

Thanks Chris and Tim. Awesome interview with one of my favourite Canadiens. Such a complete player. And much respect to you Chris and your relationship with Jacques.

[@mrdave4714]

Probably the beat interview you've done Knucks! Keep bringing back the former Habs...they're the best interviews...hands down!

[@philb9300]

Another first class podcast……fantastic!👍

[@jamesdelaney4741]

I gotta get some sleep! Great, great podcast! Can’t stop binging.

[@hockeyman1054]

One of my all-time favorite Habs ever. One of the all-time greats in the NHL ever.

[@carlbruun386]

I admired him as a player and coach for decades, but never heard such a frank interview with Lemaire. Great stuff!

[@kduquett]

Knucks and Chris, great interview with Jacques, greatly appreciated. If you could ask him a question, I'd love to hear what he was thinking when he scored that goal on TonyO, in the 1971 Stanley Cup Final. It was a slapshot from almost center ice. As a Hawks fan at the time, broke my heart.

[@rogerbutchbouchard8019]

That was a very hard slapshot. Lemaire was know for it.

[@davidfitzgerald3653]

Jaques is the type of guy every young man needs in his life . Such a good man. Love to see knucks how much he adores him . 😂

[@centerhice7948]

That was awesome 👌 👏 👍Jaques was a genius 👌 👏.

[@richardmasin9353]

Awesome interview class act

[@garcia3004]

Love this interview with Jacques, Loved em as a player and appreciated his coaching mind . Keep up the great work guys .

[@moonobservergilles5730]

super podcast Guys Nice to hear Jacques Lemaire been a long time.I appreciate it thanks you guys

[@davidchalk5413]

Best guest yet! Keep them coming, Chris. Easy to see why Mr. Lemaire was your favourite coach and probably one of your favourite human beings.

[@jamesmacdon9351]

Chris, love your show. You Sir are a great man…been through a lot and now inspire ! Well Done ! ❤️

[@therawknucklespodcast]

Awesome, thank you!

[@HowieMorenz07]

you are the best knucks

[@patrickkeenan8109]

The two number 4’s that Jacque picked would still kick ass in today’s era too!!

[@Galvaxatron]

Chris you are becoming a really good podcast host and a wonderful ambassador for the Habs. Do keep it up! I actually met Martin St-Louis, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton at a pub the night they beat Philly in MTL, right after Kent was on your show. I told Kent he was awesome on your show and begged that he do it again. He said he enjoyed it. Get that beauty on again! I would absolutely love it if you had him on 2-3 times per season. And maybe Jeff Gorton too!

[@Edwardo485]

My late Uncle Ted had only this to say about (Coco) Jaques Lemaire # 25 after defeating The Boston Bruins in may, of 1977 at the old Boston Garden scoring the overtime Stanley Cup winning goal on a pass from The late Guy Lafleur. saying to me that Jaques Lemair. is the Creme de la Creme of the Montreal Canadiens 🌟✊ May1977

[@calvee123]

Amazing once again Chris and Tim and Barry. Incredible listening to Jacques Lemaire and how candid this interview was. I really enjoy these podcasts. Love them actually.

[@therawknucklespodcast]

Thanks so much Calvin keep listening!

[@Jptoutant]

Im catching up on the releases, this is amazing stuff

[@FooFahFoeFum]

Congratulations Mr Nyland on being accepted into the Ambassadors Group. I hope you can add Steve Shut, Larry Robinson, Ken Dryden Saku Koivu.

[@lesliewatts2878]

Chris, I absolutely love this show. The memories are right there. Ah man ! TSN 690 needs you back. That station is now so lac luster without you and 'the Marishino cherry' from LaSalle. So good to have the knowledge and insight of Jacques ( hockey to the nines ). Tabernacle il est bon !!!. Thanks to all. Keep well,

[@dhosquet]

Man I love these old time athletes . When they talk about the respect they had/have for each other it's heart warming. They do things for the other guy JUST out of respect. Sorry, I can't imagine too many present day hockey players talking about their teammates like this 40 / 50 years from now.

[@1ericamat]

Knuckles is always so prepared for these podcasts. He was made for this. With respect to Lemaire, even after 38 years, I’m still disappointed on his stance with coaching Flower. He said that Gainey and Robinson thanked him for the style of play. Sure they were both defensive players. He disrespected flower and was directly responsible for his premature retirement. End of story. Flower was still their leading scorer under Bob Berry before Lemaire came in late ‘83. You still need to score goals to win. The fact is Lemaire never won as a coach in Montreal with that style. I understand he was your favourite coach and his coaching style suited your play but, if you were a highly gifted offensive player like Guy and a coach tried to abruptly change your style of play and limit your ice time, you would have asked for a trade on a whim IMO. Love your podcast btw.

[@John-tp5gc]

I never forgave him because he knew Flower well and he knew you don't coach Flower. Coaching Flower means holding him back. You let Flower do his thing.

[@1ericamat]

@@John-tp5gc agreed 100%

[@John-tp5gc]

@@1ericamat Lemaire said in this interview that he wouldn't use Gretzky in the trap. He would let him do what he wants. Well, we know he didn't do the same with Flower. Some strange ego shit was going on between him and Flower. Flower was having a pretty good season until Lemaire arrived. He had 30 goals over 65 games. Then Lemaire takes over and Flower scores 2 goals in 46 games before throwing in the towel.

[@1ericamat]

@@John-tp5gc true, that comment he made to knuckles about allowing Gretzky to do his thing was classless and another swipe at flower. If it wasn’t for flower, Lemaire wouldn’t have excelled as he did without He and Shutt. Lemaires most famous goal was the OT winner set up by flower in Boston. Flower scored his 30th goal in his 62nd game before Lemaire took over, the slump then commenced. Long live #10 GUY

[@mariovallieres3830]

Totally agree and I’m sure the asshole has heard it before……puke!

[@tommclaughlin5354]

That's a great coach and player. Great interview Chris. Good for you having a guy like that as an example.

[@czrad8125]

When you look at those habs teams of the 70s, lemaire scored some of the most important goals and big plays

[@legrandfromage6450]

One of the all time "clutch" players.

[@mikelevesque9753]

LOOK AT TIMMY HE LOOKS LIKE CHRISTMAS MORNIN......LOL

[@stevepouliot6906]

Awesome interview knucks keep up the great work, congrats on be added to the Habs ambassador team

[@santacruz986]

I asked Glenn Hall one time many years ago if Jacques Lemair had a hard shot he said you better believe he does

[@jp783]

I could watch Jacques pump his fists and crow about that 76 victory everyday. It’s cool to see a childlike enthusiasm for the game at his age.

[@louamorin4246]

What a great interview. Keep it up. Please have Larry on some time.

[@Bradydog-in7ut]

As a Bruins fan who saw every playoff game Boston played, no player worried me more than Jacques Lemaire. He was the absolute Boston Bruins killer weither scoring or making the beautiful pass to Lafluer for a goal. I can’t believe Montreal hasn’t retired his jersey to the rafters. Maybe we should in Boston because it looks like we Bruins fans appreciate what he brought to the game than the fans and management of The Montreal Canadiens. The only reason I can think of is that someone in the front office is holding a grudge against Jacques for retiring so young (he was 32).

[@johnm8096]

Always indebted to Jacques for leading my Devils to the Stanley Cup. No superstars but the team bought into the system. We should have won the year before and lost a heartbreaker to the Rangers. How can you not be successful when you’re guided by hockey royalty like Lemaire and Robinson.

[@mr.xblade]

Another great podcast! love this show! Jacque was a great player on a special team... Id love to sit around and chat over a beer.. i do believe hes a distant cousin..My grandfathers cousin..

[@colbiecolbie6979]

Keep rolling guys.....great stuff . As an ex montrealer. Love it.

[@MrDarthdonger]

amazing podcast...knuckles you are getting better and better at this!.....no need to ever go back on radio, your personality really comes out on this type of format and you come off much more humorous:)

[@qualityman1965]

Knuckles. Love you man. Congrats on the new show. You are my second favorite Hab of all time. Please do a show with my number one Hab. Larry Robinson.

[@Feedback4Utoday]

a real class act. a true HAB & has a true passion. great interview knuckles... timS sometimes best to listen as seem to speak over a bit without actually listening... ie J showing he has a true passion for what he is doing (going to the bench in NJ etc).. & tim demeaning it with another comment about wanting more money... what I got from it was a true passion for the game, competing, pursuing excellence at the highest level as what drives him.

[@troygoodine83]

Really enjoyed that interview ! Still not happy about the way things ended for Guy, but hey ya can`t change the past.

[@petermurdoch3001]

crazy growing up in Montreal seeing Habs from days ago playing Golf, going to Tavern 12 there at a table is Houle, Carbonneau,

[@glennwetherbee4495]

Tremendous interview.

[@bobconrad578]

Great interview!

[@Nsdus5676]

“Nobody will like you” 😂😊😊 Made me laugh. I really learned watching this in all seriousness. 10 Stanley Cups sittin right there. I always wonder how those Canadiens teams of the 70s would match up today. No judgement in that just interesting to ponder as the game evolves.

[@MrViyasan]

This is even better than 690. All Nilan, no commercials.

[@harles5000]

Love Jacques always have always will, quiet leader, led by example, never asked of others what he wasn’t doing on and off the ice! Correct extremely underrated Center-man! But the defensive abilities of players didn’t necessarily register on the scoresheet!

[@Feedback4Utoday]

but Wins/losses are always about who makes the most mistakes/lets in the most goals.. so registers there

[@djdemers8709]

loved this podcast... 🍻🍻

[@martincahill3810]

Lemaire was a great player...great Montreal Canadien ...Great broadcast...

[@andrewwills8516]

Awesome 😎 one of my favorite 😎

[@Landis_Grant]

Lemaire would have loved to have Knuckles on his team.

[@sarkisiangeorge]

Why didn't Jacques think of Bob Gainey for his banger/scorer on the left wing? How about Bert Olmstead, Ted Lindsay, Dickie Moore, Bobby Hull, Bucyk, Cashman, Marc Tardif, Vic Hadfield

[@mikelevesque9753]

AWSOME HOCKEY LEGEND

[@9maris]

My favorite all time player . I never met him but would like too. Jacques should have his number 25 retired.

[@nickromano8851]

neutral zone trap!

[@PopRivest]

Ipad must be a problem in Toronto! Loll

[@dannythomas417]

If you think Harold Ballard was bad in Toronto, Lemaire is the worst thing that ever happened.

[@luismoreno6336]

Congrats Chris!

[@kevnoxious]

I was thinking Wendel Clark for the second winger on that line

[@cliffroberts1774]

Legend

[@bobwitt4939]

Can you imagine Gretzky and Ovechkin playing together.

[@bob-qz9ey]

I regret Lemaire wasn't chosen for '72 Summit Series - ridiculous! But then, neither were Orr, Howe, Hull, et al. The Habs would never've won Cups without him. One memorable League game was when he centred green rookies, Redmond and Grant vs Leafs, who'd a 2-0 lead with 2-min left. Coach Blake put 'em on the Ice, resulting in two quick goals for a Tie.

[@jacksmith5692]

Jacques had a great slapshot and could play wing and center.

[@user-md3ij9oc9q]

Crosby, Gretzky, Lemieux Orr, Lidstrom

[@user-ni6gm9sj8u]

No offence Chris but guy lafleur was a great play maker. An incredible passer. Look at the assists leader. Guy Lafleur led habs by a mile in most seasons. Look at the stats. It's not even close. In 1978-79. Lafleur led team in scoring with 129 pts. An amazing 52 pts over next linemate.Lafleur led team in assists 8 times.

[@sarkisiangeorge]

I have been in touch with Marty pavelich’s family. Marty is 96 years old and the only living member of the red wings early 1950 Stanley cup teams. He has a hard time speaking but if we submit some questions to his family he can answer them for us. Marty lives in Dallas now. Would you be interested in me having arrange something?

[@darkoanton5]

Brodeur: Bourque, Robinson: Crosby, Gretzky, Lemieux. Yes, three centres.

[@daveyboy_]

He had to backcheck all kinds and grind it out on the top line while Guy got all the glory. He got his revenge on Flower though.

[@dominiquelanglais2746]

J'le Connais Lui :)

[@jpecci1262]

My border collie's middle name is Lemaire - he's faster and smarter than me, although I think he would prefer to be a goalie.

[@richardclegg5853]

2 great picks Chris, Gillies & Neely...

[@FooFahFoeFum]

Jaques Lemaire had the hardest and most accurate slapshot with Guy Lafleur, and Bobby Hull (1968-1974) . Harry Sinden coach of Team Canada 1972 did not pick him for 1972 USSR / Canada series. .. Lemaire would be the type of player like Paul Henderson , scoring goals at incredible times., and from 60 feet away.

[@patrickroy3380]

Hardest snapshot , Bobby Hull ? The roadrunner had a harder shot and it wasnt that hard , maybe your mistaken.

[@FooFahFoeFum]

@@patrickroy3380 Booby Hull was recorded shooting 118 miles per hour. Today in the Allstar games, the hardest shot with carton fiber sticks is 109 miles per hour. Record in the modern day is held by Shea Weber.

[@andrevaudrin3164]

"I don't give a shit!" Someone must have heard that during his coaching years...

[@Edwardo485]

* Jacques Gerard Lemaire 🌟

[@colbiecolbie6979]

How many cups ?

[@yeltsin6817]

i think Jacques was ina. tough spot having to coach his old buddies it he knew they weren’t the powerhouse they were in the 70’s. he knew they had to change and be more defensively responsible. i loved Guy Lafleur but I think he just couldn’t adapt to the role he needed to take on. And Jacques was always the more defensive minded player on Guys line so he knew what it took to free up Guy to score. RIP Guy.

[@curtischurchill51]

Big fan of yours Chris, watched you play for years, die hard Habs fan! Can’t stomach Jacque Lamaire! He ruined Lafleur and the Canadiens!

[@mrdave4714]

He coached them for a season and a half and made it to the semi finals in 84...he ruined them how?

[@curtischurchill51]

Habs would’ve won a couple more cups in the early 80’s if Lemaire didn’t have Lafleur riding the pine!

[@canajian]

👋😎👍

[@colbiecolbie6979]

How many goals ? Lmao.

[@MRFANTASTICASS]

That's amazing...but think about dudes that arent ice hockey Guchy!Sure, its brilliant banter.....but still, kapeeeeesh

[@AdamGell]

Excellent… authentic. Jacques great character! Mr. Stapleton would like to interview yiu for my KZbin channel.. any contact information? Thanks Adam Gell