Jacques Lemaire announced he would not coach the Minnesota Wild next season, but not that his coaching career was over reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
"I think it's time for the players to get a new coach and myself to look for other stuff," Lemaire told the newspaper on Saturday following a 6-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. "I always said there'll be a time. There comes a time that you know it's the right time to go, and I know this."
"I don't know what I'm going to do. I want to stay in the game, but I don't know what I'm going to do."
When asked if he would remain with the Wild in another position, Lemaire said he did not believe that would happen.
Lemaire, a former player and coach with the Canadiens, was asked by the Star Tribune if he would be interested in coaching in Montreal again, he sidestepped the question.
"I won't start to mention any teams because I'm still under contract in a way," Lemaire told the newspaper. "But I'll be looking for a job. I don't know what type. But I'll be looking."
While Lemaire has a reputation of being one of the finest coaches in the National Hockey League, there have been rumblings of tension with players.
The team has reportedly been upset regarding road practices after traveling and lack of off days.
According to the Star Tribune the assistant coaches have been running most of the team's recent morning practice sessions and at one point last week a veteran player voiced his displeasure with the Lemaire in a team huddle.
