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