Gainey steps down as Habs GM
'General manager position requires a long-term vision,' Hall of Famer says
Last Updated: Monday, February 8, 2010 | 4:25 PM ET
By Michael Coomber, CBC Sports
Montreal Canadiens executive Bob Gainey has stepped down as vice-president and general manager, telling a news conference Monday that the move comes after a "difficult period of reflection."
Habs president Pierre Boivin met with Gainey over the Christmas break, with the longtime GM saying he wanted to step away from his managerial responsibilities.
"After a very long and difficult period of reflection, I have made the decision to leave my position as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens," Gainey, whose relationship with the Canadiens began nearly four decades ago when he was a star player, said at the Bell Centre news conference.
"I believe that the general manager position requires a long-term vision and commitment, and I did not want to make a commitment for four or five or six more years."
Assistant GM Pierre Gauthier will take over the GM position on an interim basis, while Gainey stays on as a special adviser.
"Pierre is an experienced hockey manager and has all the necessary skills to be a great GM," said Boivin.
Gainey, Gauthier's longtime friend, felt it was his time to move on, passing the responsibilty to someone ready to commit long term.
'In my heart I will always be a Canadien.'—Bob Gainey
"If I have to choose between leaving a bit too soon or staying a bit too long, I prefer to leave earlier. I've done my best and now it's time to pass the torch," Gainey explained.
The former Canadiens captain began his managerial career within the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars organization as a head coach and eventually took over as general manager.
In May 2003, Gainey returned to the Canadiens as vice-president and general manager.
Over his five seasons (241-176-46-7) as an executive, Montreal made the playoffs four times.
However, the team failed to advance past the second round during his tenure as GM.
In 2007-08, Gainey's best season as GM, the Canadiens captured both the Northeast Division and Eastern Conference titles.
Free agency moves questioned
But the team didn't live up to high expectations in the post-season, barely defeating the eighth-seeded Boston Bruins in seven games, then losing to the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
More recently, Gainey was questioned for his moves in free agency and on the trade market.
In the 2009 off-season, he was criticized for signing free agent forward Brian Gionta to a five-year, $25 US million contract and the eight-player deal that saw Scott Gomez and his salary of more than $7 million US land in Montreal.
During the current season, the Habs GM has taken considerable heat for his management of the Canadiens' goaltending situation.
At the 2005 NHL entry draft, he selected Carey Price fifth overall, expecting the young backstop to be the next Patrick Roy.
But Price has struggled with discipline and consistency, giving way to backup Jaroslav Halak.
With two young and valuable goaltenders, Gainey continued to lean toward Price, even though his counterpart proved to be more consistent. The decision has drawn the ire of Canadiens fans throughout the season.
Playing days
A member of the NHL Hall of Fame, Gainey played 16 seasons with Montreal from 1973 to 1989, helping the team win five Stanley Cups (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986).
The Peterborough, Ont., native is widely regarded as the greatest defensive forward in NHL history, capturing four-straight Selke Trophies from 1978-1981. The following season, he was named team captain, a title he kept until his retirement in 1989.
In 1,139 regular-season games, Gainey registered 239 goals and 262 assists for 501 points, and had 585 penalty minutes. In 182 playoff games, he posted 73 points, including 16 points in 16 games in the 1978-79 post season, helping the Canadiens win their 21st Stanley Cup.
"In my heart I will always be a Canadien," Gainey said.
How he did
A look at the Canadiens' record under Bob Gainey
| Season | W | L | T | OT | Place | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | 41 | 30 | 7 | 4 | 7th in East | Eliminated in 2nd round |
| 2005-06 | 42 | 31 | - | 9 | 7th in East | Eliminated in 1st round |
| 2006-07 | 42 | 34 | - | 6 | 10th in East | Did not qualify |
| 2007-08 | 47 | 25 | - | 10 | 1st in East | Eliminated in 2nd round |
| 2008-09 | 41 | 30 | - | 11 | 8th in East | Eliminated in 1st round |
| 2009-10* | 28 | 26 | - | 6 | 6th in East | N/A |
