Gainey Finished as GM by Markus Noé
After seven seasons as the Montreal Canadiens G.M, Bob Gainey has decided to step down. Assistant GM Pierre Gauthier will take over on an interim basis. This was a make or break year for the former Hab’s player turned GM. His five year plan failed to materialize.
Gainey faced heavy criticism by letting key players like Alex Kovalev and Saku Koivu leave through free agency and receive nothing in return. Expectations for Gainey’s signings were enormous, and even though Mike Cammalleri and Scott Gomez have been great additions, the team has been battling consistency issues all year.
The three year long goalie controversy between Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price has been a major distraction to the organization, which Gainey has done nothing about. He has also been unable to sign a big top six forward during his run as GM, which will likely turn out to be his biggest downfall.
Gainey has seen minor success as the Canadians have been to the playoffs 4 out of 5 full seasons with Gainey as G.M. Also he will leave with a respectable (241-176-7-46) record. The very critical Montreal fans will remember Gainey as the man who drafted and hyped up the underachieving Carey Price as the next Patrick Roy. Gainey will also be remembered as the GM who was unable to get them past the second round of the playoffs.
At the end of the day the Montreal Canadiens organization and fans were expecting to compete for the cup during their centennial year. When Gainey was unable to deliver last year, it all but marked the end for him as GM.
What do you think Canada? Post your comments below or you can email Markus at markus.noe@live.com
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Lay off Price, he hasn’t underachieved. His numbers are as good as some of the greats at the age of 22. I think he’s going to be lights out in a few years. He’s had a bad year, but it’s mostly been the fault of the team in front of him. He’s still way to young to be speaking that way about him. Even Roy struggled at that age(after the playoff cup win). I’m a Habs fan and I still think Price will be great.
Chris I think Price is great. I think we can get a lot for him. The Habs are front heavy cap wise and need to go the Detroit route when it comes to goalie budget. I think it’d be easier to sign Halak to a reasonable salary than Price.
It’s Bob Gainey fault that people are so hard on Price. He made the fans believe that this guy was the next Patrick Roy, he called him up to the number one role way too early and possibly ruined him. In the Ottawa Sun last week there was an interesting stat about Price. Sine last years all star game he has only won 18 out of 60 games played. I think that warrants some criticism.
Always good work Markus.