CBC-Sports

Gainey picking on Kovalev for a reason

February 18, 2009 02:03 AM | Posted by   Elliotte Friedman  

A few notes about an eventful day in Montreal.

If Bob Gainey really wanted to trade Alex Kovalev right now, the Russian winger wouldn't be "resting." He'd be packing.

Sunday’s loss in Vancouver wasn't necessarily No. 27’s final game in a Canadiens uniform. Unless he shows up on the upcoming off-day Friday dragging the Stanley Cup behind his car – a la George Costanza with the World Series Trophy in Seinfeld – Kovalev will play for this team again.

This is part of Gainey's three-pronged attack to warn the roster that no one is secure, that spoiled behaviour and indifferent play will no longer be tolerated. Add Kovalev's banishment to Sergei Kostitsyn's demotion and the trade for Mathieu Schneider and what has Gainey done? He's rattled everyone without permanently getting rid of anyone. And that's critical to the point here.

When this season began, Gainey believed his team was a legitimate Cup contender. He was not alone. In their 100th season, the Canadiens were a popular pick.

Now, with the team in the middle of a Chernobyl-sized meltdown, Gainey refused to make the easiest moves - fire his handpicked coach or make a huge trade to shake up the dressing room. He chose more creative options and left enough time to make further adjustments if this doesn't work. It also says a lot about George Gillett, who is smart enough to let Gainey make the decisions. Look at the Phoenix Suns, whose goofball owner leaked that head coach Terry Porter would be fired during the NBA All-Star Game.

Gainey is allowed to do it his way. And the message is, 'Prove to me that, as a group, you're still good enough to win.' They've got two weeks to start breathing. If that doesn't happen, Air Canada’s going to make a fortune on last-second plane fares in and out of town.

Kovalev prone to funks

I'm a Kovalev fan, but Gainey had to do something. We all know the talented winger is prone to funks and on-ice boredom, but this is ridiculous. I would re-direct you to the Inside Hockey on him, then add a few points.

Kovalev isn't an unpopular guy in the Montreal room, but Ray Emery wasn't either for a long time in Ottawa. However, when a player is perceived to be getting away with a double-standard, things can change in a hurry, especially during a losing streak. Kovalev was benched during games at least twice, but never was a healthy scratch.

Meanwhile, other guys who work harder but don’t have his talent (Steve Begin) were sitting. That's okay for a three or four game stretch, but not when it extends closer to 10 or 15. That goes double for a team trying to send the proper message to a talented group of young players who have a real chance to be great. You cannot allow them to believe that kind of behaviour is okay.

Maybe it's not fair to pick on Emery - now being punished with his exile to Russia - but his lateness and poor habits played a major role in the Senators' collapse. It’s possible the same thing is happening in Montreal.

Here's a theory: the Rangers traded Kovalev early in his seventh season. The Penguins dealt him in what was essentially his fifth year. This is Season 4 in Montreal. Does he have an expiry date, like a cup of yogourt? Some people need change. You all know people like that, who love to switch jobs every few years. Kovalev might very well be one of those guys.

Canadiens unlike their coaches

One final thing. Is there a team in the NHL that reminds you less of its coaching staff than Montreal? Guy Carbonneau, Kirk Muller and Doug Jarvis were brutal to play against. This team? Well, this team isn’t. That’s a huge problem.

You can see their frustration. Look at others around the league like them: Darryl Sutter rebuilt the Flames in that image; John Stevens didn't have their NHL careers, but he played with a similar style and rejuvenated the Flyers with that edge; same with Claude Julien in Boston.

Sometimes, people have trouble coaching teams they don't understand. I can't help but wonder if that's the case with Carbonneau. I don't see Gainey firing him. But if Tuesday's Kovalev shocker doesn't work, he does have the flexibility (14 free agents, UFA and RFA) to provide his coach with a whole new roster.

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