Anyone who caught the news conference with CJ on RDS tonite could not help but be impressed with the class, dignity, and pride he carried himself with even 2 days after being canned. You can read Brooky's fun translation but let me help out (using my french classes Nilsey lol)

1. He thanked Andre Savard for giving his his first job. Thanked all the coaches, the fans, and even the media (who NEVER get thanked lol) for making his job fun. He said it was a dream come true getting to coach his boyhood team for 3 years and he would always be thankful for that
   
2. He thanked Bob Gainey. He does not blame Bob for the decision but of course he disagreed with the decision. However he said that he respects the decision and knows that this is how things go. He said that Bob Gainey helped to make him a better coach. Wow. I could not be that nice lol. He met with Gainey before going to his press conference and asked Gainey what he felt he could do to be a better coach.
   
3. He felt that the team got in a tailspin when all the injuries happened and could not get out of it. But he did feel they were making progress by limiting Ottawa to one goal and Colorado to 2 goals. Now was a matter of trying to score at the other end and that was what he was working on Friday the "Day before I was thanked for my services" (I loved that one Claude lol). He said that he felt that he could have righted the ship but totally respected the process and Gainey.
   
4. He has watched the last 2 games in entirety at home. He is very happy they are winning and will be cheering for them. He said it is not his way to look back and be bitter. He joked that he sees that Gainey kept the lines that CJ had put together the last week so he must have been doing something that someone liked lol
   
5. The media tried to get him to bite on the lack of effort of some players and to Julien's credit he did not. He said that perhaps there were players that could have performed better but when you start losing some players try to do too much (wow I would like to know WHICH ones lol). Media asked him about Kovalevs comments and he said that he respects Alex as a player and wishes him well
   
6. When asked if he and Gainey were on the same page he said definately. The system that was developed was a team system that Gainey was involved in and aside from effort, he did not see anything different the last 2 games (neither do I actually). He said that what Kovalev said about the defence and Markov in particular being held back and not told to move the puck forward was not true at all (stick to putting the puck in the net Kovalev..defence is not your game. To me, just more of trying to cover your buddies rear Alex) He said obviously Gainey must have agreed with how he coached..he gave him a long term contract (good point)
   
7. He even downplayed how Gainey handled it saying that Gainey was fair. He said that although Gainey did tell him on the phone he offered to meet him Saturday morning. Claude said he did not want to do that because he felt it was important that Gainey prepare the team for the game Saturday night. Meeting with him could wait. Wow. That is class. You get canned and you still put the welfare of the team first.
   
8. He talked about how hard he worked. He worked 20 hour days. He said that he is leaving the Bell Center today with his head held high (as he should). He has received a hundred phone calls from coaches and teams in the NHL wishing him well. He spoke about being a coahc for life and not being interested in anything else. Ended again by wishing the team well and success and thanking everyone.

Maybe I have overkilled this whole thing guys. But I am sure that there are many here who would feel the same about Saks if he got booted to another team (and you are not friends with him). Say what you want. This guy gave his heart and soul to the CH and as fans we need to appreciate that. He had a winning record and gave us a huge upset over Boston (coming back from a 3-1 deficit).

To guys like Kovalev who decided to kick a guy when he was down..shame on you. If Kovalev worked 1/10th as hard when he is "working" as Claude Julien did, we would seldom lose a game.  To the players who did not stand up for a guy who went to the wall for you ( I am sorry but "Well when you are the boss in the job and things are not going well, the boss has to go" just does not cut it Saks. Show some ownership and stop passing the buck.) shame on all of you. This guy did nothing but stand up for you and take the heat off of your overpaid asses...and aside from Shelly, ....nothing. Egos are a horrible thing boys. My hope is that you land on a team with players that do not need a babysitter and to have their egos stroked and that you will be appreciated.

I know he has alreayd been contacted by a couple teams and he will end up in the job he wants. In the meantime Claude, enjoy your time with Karen, who has seldom seen you lately, and your new baby. You have taught me alot about being a coach, a man, and a stand up guy and I thank you for that. See you in Myrtle Beach next month.