Report: Gainey stepping down as Montreal GM

Monday, 02.08.2010 / 1:50 PM / News By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Staff Writer Bob Gainey is stepping down as the Montreal Canadiens' general manager according to TSN.

Pierre Gauthier, who is Gainey's assistant, is supposed to be named the interim GM when Canadiens President Pierre Boivin speaks at a 4 p.m. ET press conference Monday.

The Canadiens made it known earlier Monday that Boivin will be holding a press conference to make "an important announcement regarding the club's management."

Gainey, 56, has been the Canadiens GM since June 2, 2003.

After finishing first in the Eastern Conference in 2007-08 with 104 points, the Canadiens slipped to eighth last season with 93. Gainey overhauled the roster by bringing in a plethora of new players, including Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta, Mike Cammalleri, Jaroslav Spacek, Paul Mara, Travis Moen and Glen Metropolit.

But the results have only been so-so. Montreal is currently 28-26-6 and is sixth in the Eastern Conference thanks to a recent three-game winning streak. The Canadiens have made the playoffs four times under Gainey's watch.

Gauthier, also 56, was hired by Gainey in 2003 as the team's Director of Pro Scouting. He inherited the title of assistant GM in 2006. He has served as the GM in Ottawa (1995-98) and Anaheim (1998-2002).

Contact Dan Rosen at [email protected]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=5167 ... L|NHL|home

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

About time. Canadien fans should be happy.

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Wheelhouse

That franchise is so fucked up. I agree that the moves he made in the off season were pretty weak, but they are still the 6th seed as of today, which is about where most analysts figured they'd finish in the preseason predictions. Very bizarre.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Gainey made some stupid trades (esp. Miller-Runner for 7,5). Awesome player (according to my dad) but not so good GM but can you really blame him? The Canadiens are the most traditional franchise this game has to over and the alltime Stanley-Cup-Leaders. Must be very very tough to become the frogs GM.

I'll bet they're going after Dave Nonnis next season.

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Sloppy seconds = 6 games "clean" headhunting = nothing
it's obvious Bettman and Campbell are Pens cocksuckers

Well now.... maybe they will get rid of Price! Here's to hoping!!!!! The Habs need something between the posts besides goals against

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"If he hits you, he hurts you. We're gonna put three guys on him" ~ Lindy Ruff

Just when I was getting used to Montreal being a mediocre team. Oh well, it's not like they have anything special to hope for over the next several years. I hated a lot of Canadien players, but Gainey was not one of them. Now if they hire Brian Skrudland I could really build up some hate.

This is the kind of story Ice would break

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mechaphil