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Montreal GM Bob Gainey addresses the media after the NHL trade deadline
On a day when 22 trades were made, involving 45 players and 21 draft picks from over 20 NHL teams, Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey decided to stick to what he already has.
While many in hockey-mad Montreal and fans abroad believed that the Canadiens were in line for a monumental deal that would bring along a player to fill the shoes left by Robert Lang’s injury, Gainey admitted that he believes that the current lineup is one he has confidence in going forward.
We all remember what happens when Gainey entrusts confidence. When Gainey dealt then #1 netminder Cristobal Huet to the Washington Capitals for a mere draft pick, many fans were shocked and somewhat upset.
Then Carey Price had an unbelievable March and led the Canadiens to the top of the Eastern Conference.
But that was last season, in a different time and place, and now in the Canadiens Centennial season, Gainey has decided not to make a blockbuster deal. A deal that many had included the departures of recently upstart centre Tomas Plekanec, winger Chris Higgins, defenseman Josh Gorges, and valuable prospect defenseman PK Subban.
Yet, Gainey made his moves, just not at the very last moment dealing two picks in both 2009 and 2010 to the Atlanta Thrashers for veteran defenseman Mathieu Schnedier and a conditional draft pick. Already, the move has bolstered the sleeping Montreal power play.
Smaller additions such as Glen Metropolit off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers and the departure of Steve Begin to clear up room on the third and fourth lines have shaped the lineup that Gainey has put his trust in.
Gainey has no qualms with the team he has orchestrated in late February.
Now if it were that easy for Montreal fans to have no qualms on this day, we would all be happier and more content.
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Nice Post Matt – welcome to the group.
Many here in Montreal were hoping for a big deal if only to shake things up a bit. The Habs have been asleep at the wheel for most of this year. Price is having a horrific sophomore jinx, he may recover/he may not.
One thing is certain, Mr. Gainey has slowly, methodically and quietly turned Montreal from a floundering team with no direction to a serious contender. A lot of this building happens on draft day not trade day, any serious fan knows this and the ones that yap about losers on Trade day don’t realize the insignificance of it to begin with.
We are also fortunate that we have Halak (perhaps somebody can fill me in on how we acquired him (drafted ? and if so was that pick traded for?). I am looking forward to a nice playoff run and looking forward to next years Draft Day – the day that really separates winners from losers.
great read!
this irritates me, it is like he was watching the parade and then everybody drops by, and he still watches without doing anything. but what do I know, he has got to know what he is doing .