GOHABS.com Message Board

wright · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 277

The quiet methodical approach of Bob Gainey, once again trumped the sound and fury of over hyped moves by many gm's in this off season. While many gm's foolishly over spent on attempted quick fixes, Gainey's under the radar moves (with one more significant acquisition) have made the Habs relevant again in terms of becoming a legitimate cup contender.

From day one Gainey has reshaped the Habs with an overall strong assesment of talent. Julien might have been a convenient scapegoat, but the reality is once Gainey took over, he moved Higgins from the fourth line to the number one line. Komisarek was elevated from being a 6th d man to playing alongside Markov. From day one he has remained consistent in his mantra of building from within. He has instilled a winning culture, weeded out the weak links, and raised expectations, all within a market that demands instantaneous results.A lesser gm would have succumbed to a quick fix approach and fallen prey to the ufa insanity, handcuffing the organization for years to come with Dan Boyle type contracts. Instead low key resignings of Kots and Halak for extremely reasonable deals were the order of the day.

Compare where the Habs are today to Anaheim. Under the self aggrandizing Burke, the Ducks presently have very little inexpensive young talent ready to take on a major role. They were the third lowest scoring team in the league last year, and have little cap space to rectify the problem. Bertuzzi is gone, Selanne may retire and to maintain cap space they may have to trade Schneider. For all of Burke's bluster, the understated Gainey has the Habs in a stronger long term position.

Even without Sundin, Gainey lands a top 6 winger, an enforcer who can play a little and maintains cap flexibility. Avoids the wrong temptation to overpay a powerplay specialist in Streit, whose contract in part would mortgage the future of the team.

Has Gainey made missteps, sure. However given the unique circumstances of the Montreal market, no one is more qualified to manage the club. Gainey stated it would be a 5 year rebuilding plan, and for the most part he is on the right track. Unlike some teams, the Habs don't have two goalies taking up 13.5 million in payroll. Gainey did not try and rebuild a team overnight like Tampa, and create even further problems by creating an unbalanced roster (heavy on the forwards but extremely weak defense and questionable goaltending). Overall, Gainey has the Habs positioned with purposeful, thought out strategy to take a run at the cup.

AB Habman · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 1972 Location: Alberta

But the inability to fill the big doughnut hole over his tenure may still keep him in arms reach of the Cup that Burke hoisted over his head. Will Sundin be his saviour? Right now, nothing else matters because we may not be any better of a playoff team than last season.

Barry33 · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:11 am Post subject:

Wright- I do not disagree with anything you said..but he still needs to get the job done (without the inherant excuses we hear season after season). He needs to fill the holes (and by that I mean the MAJOR ones) to make this team a contender. If he cannot do it through the UFA route than he needs to make some trades..and by that I do not mean Rivet for Josh Gorges.
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John M. · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 3094 Location: Montreal

Good post wright. I was reading about Burke and how Lowe was blasting him for getting rid of all his young talent. He basically said that Burke took over a well stocked group of kids in Anaheim and got lucky to land Pronger and Neidemeyer. He did get a cup but now the cupboard is empty.

I still like what Burke did over there. When you have a chance to get players like Pronger and Neid, you have to go for it and that's what he did. He got a cup and might not have a chance at another for 20 years but that 1 cup is all that matters right now.

Barry33 · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:53 am Post subject:

wright · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 277

John M. · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 3094 Location: Montreal

Many of posters want a quick fix but that's poor team leadership. What BG and staff have done over the last 4 years is nothing short of amazing. They have brought the lowly Habs of the late mid 90's to early 2000's to a top team in the league.

Gainey has shown in the past he can bring a team to the cup. Time for fans to show some faith...

30_NILAN · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:13 am Post subject:

Burke is a cocky guy and is in love with himself. Honestly, the NBA has offer sheets every season and no one cares. Yesterday the Blues offered Steve Bernier an offer sheet and Mike Gillis just matched it and later said he has loads of respect for the Blues and likes their aggressiveness.

Honestly Burke, has the easy task of convincing players on the joys of playing hockey in California paradise vs Lowe who has the tough task of asking superstar tallent to come to cold, northern, Edmonton, Alberta. A place where the fans are crazy about their players and the players dont get much privacy.

I hope Burke does go to the Leafs, so we can garuntee that they suck for even longer.
Also I hope Burke sent Brian Murray a nice gift for being able to inherit such a nice team.

Barry33 · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:43 am Post subject:

Let me add something as well. I fully agree with Gainey's approach to Sundin and let me tell you why. He knows he has a good chance of signing him and is willing to hedge his bets on that happening. He can afford to do so because it became very clear to him that he was NOT going to be able to entice a free agent to Montreal that would address his most pressing needs. So he will continue to get small business done (like signing Halek etc) and save some cap room. If Sundin comes aboard fine. If not, he will then start trading assets to get what he needs. But NO WAY is Bob Gainey satisfied with the lineup as is heading into this season.
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-Grip it and Rip It-