Written by Habsterix, AllHabs.net
Nothing in life is for sure. Well almost nothing. When you’re a coach or general manager in the NHL, you know from day one that the odds are that you’ll get fired one day. And it looks more and more like this day is coming for Habs’ GM Pierre Gauthier.
PENTICTON, BC. – When Pierre Gauthier was promoted from his position of assistant GM in charge of proscouting to the position of General Manager succeeding Bob Gainey, he took on a very thankless job, one where you’re only as good as your last move.
Gauthier took over some very difficult files from his predecessor. Topping the list was an issue very familiar to Gauthier, as it was he and his scouts who recommended acquiring the now overpaid, under-producing center in Gomez, tying up over $7 million on the salary cap. He has also had to deal with the loss of star defenseman Andrei Markov, forcing him to trade some future in exchange for James Wisniewski.
One of his first very difficult decisions was to end the goaltending debate in Montreal between Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price. Halak was a fan favourite in Montreal after a Cinderella playoff performance, beating the Capitals and the Penguins in back to back series, while Price’s struggles were all over the hockey tabloids in Montreal. In hindsight, one would be hard-pressed to say that Gauthier didn’t make the right decision.
But it’s the recent moves by Gauthier and the fact that his team is fighting with teams like Tampa Bay and the Islanders for bottom spot in the Eastern Conference that might just get him relieved of his duties. In spite of getting the green light by team doctors, signing Andrei Markov to a $17 million contract for three years was a huge gamble which is coming back to bite him hard. Many feel like this money would have been better spent on another unrestricted free agent defenseman, Christian Ehrhoff.
A series of very unusual events also contributed to raising questions about Mr. Gauthier. First, he fired assistant-coach and Jacques Martin’s good friend Perry Pearn just hours before a game, in an attempt to either shake the team or the coaching staff, it’s still unclear at this time.
Then on December 17th, on game day, Gauthier fired his head coach Martin and replaced him by his assistant Randy Cunneyworth, sending his assistant-GM Larry Carrière behind the bench as an assistant-coach, with no coaching experience at any level. To make matters worse, media and fans ignored the fact that Cunneyworth was named as interim coach and made a huge fuss over the fact that he doesn’t speak French, forcing Geoff Molson to release a statement in an attempt to reassure fans.
Last but not least, Gauthier traded Michael Cammalleri, in mid-game. It was a move that reminded fans of the Patrick Roy fiasco, although to a lesser extent of course. Still, it was a disgruntled important player who made comments to the media and soon after, was dealt for what doesn’t seem to be fair market value.
If Geoff Molson leaves Pierre Gauthier in place, he better keep a close eye on him and his transactions as Gauthier knows too well that his job is on the line and the temptation to sell the farm to salvage an awful season is a reality, and a dangerous one.
But whichever way they want to go, it’s time to make a decision and let go of Gauthier out of respect for the man who has been with the organisation since 2003. Replace him with Bob Gainey or Serge Savard, a friend of the Molson family, until summer when the team can then look at hiring a new GM and a new head coach.
In the meantime, do what the Flyers did in 2007 and trade the UFA’s, and give Trevor Timmins a chance to work his magic at the draft. The last time he was given this opportunity, he did pull Carey Price out of nowhere and no Habs’ fan in their right mind would doubt that move today, after seeing Price win Molson Cup after Molson Cup. Most fans would be willing to sacrifice one season to see the Habs take a step back, only to see them take two steps forward this summer.
En français: Pierre Gauthier: un Directeur-Gérant dans l’eau chaude
With Gainey? Are you serious? I would say more, but I already have. (Sorry for the share Rick & co)
http://hockey54.com/editorial/item/launy-the-schwartz/canadiens-and-leafs-fans-stand-nose-to-nose
If Gainey (or Savard for that matter) was to take over until this summer, Geoff Molson would have to give him his plan, his idea of what he wants him to do and any trade would have to be approved by Mr. Molson himself.
The worst thing that could happen is to see the Habs start winning a few games and think they have a shot at the playoffs. Groundhog day all over, sacrificing youth & picks for patch-up jobs.
1- Trade the UFAs to the highest bid (Gill, Moen, Kostitsyn & Campoli)
2- Put a feeler for Plekanec. Don’t need to trade him, see what the offers are and go from there.
3- Try getting your hands on a top center with size, grit, far enough removed from UFA. If you must sacrifice Subban, think about it.
4- Call up youth, but not Leblanc & Gallagher, as we know they’ll be good. Rather Palushaj, Avstin, Engqvist, DeSimone, Dumont, St-Denis, Willsie and see if they have a future with the team.
5- Play Budaj once every third game, explain to Price what you’re doing and what for.
Hope to get into the lottery. If you win, instead of picking the Russian, see what teams offer you for that first overall pick. With perhaps the exception of Datsyuk, Russians scare the hell out of me, look at Ovy even…
Trevor Timmins….really?…..Trevor’s performance in recent years, though sometimes sprinkled w/ good picks, has not been strong. I would not do anything to this team’s future based on Mr. Timmins’ recent performance (or lack of it). As for Serge Savard….this could be the opportunity, the linchpin, to put the Habs back on track…Please, Mr. Molson….give Serge a call. We, who have followed the Habs from Beliveau to today, would be most grateful.
habinvt, you have got to be kidding me. serge was killing the habs with his defence only style. if you think for one second that you go with french canadian choices for gm,and coach you are wrong. you go with a gm and coach with a winnig record ask scottie bowman to come out of retirement.
Please not Gainey………he blew up the team in the first place.he should go with the rest of them………..also not Savard he is not interested in the job to busy with business deals he has said that he did not want the job
HABS team still has the heart of a lion. It was equal to Bruins last year especially if all that the refs missed were called. They’re better with addition of Cole and another Maturity of youth. Markov would almost Guarantee a long run. Habs Fans are not supporters of a team thats losing Making a young defense afraid to make a mistakes and errors in judgement, losing games that should have been wins. Subban cant move without controversy. The Media is hot and cold. Cannibalism sells newspapers. Team Confidence is CRUCIAL in a competitive league, it can be the difference between a winner and a loser. Fans can be the best motivator when youre down and destructive especially on young defense. Go HABS!! WIN OR LOSE FOR NOW, CAUSE THEY NEED US…. The beast is down but H E A R T still BEATS!!!!
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