Gainey

[GoHabs2002]

I honestly think that Gainey will have an immediate impact on this team, beginning next season, much like Pat Quinn had on the Maple Leafs. Before Quinn's arrival the franchise had missed the playoffs three seasons in a row and the organization looked dismal. But his hiring as head coach (with Dyrden, and Cujo) brought instant credibility in the locker room.

That is what Gainey brings to this team. The Habs finally have a veteran hockey guy, a veteran management guy, who commands respect for himself, his players and his team throughout the league. I think that is what is important. Nevermind the players we have. When a team produces poorly, players look bad.

When the leafs resurged, Garry Valk looked like a defensive specialist. Do you think Wes Walz is an overnight success? He is. Teams did not want anything to do with him, that is why he found himself on an expansion team. This season he was nominated for the Selke. Last season after the team's success, everyone lamented on our players finally breaking out. And now one year later, everyone is critisizing the same players. Perhaps we were looking at the situation with rose-colored glasses. But the team did perform well.

The Habs have a foundation for successful team. A goaltender who can carry a team, a d-man who can boost the offense, another who can wake the team up with a bone-crushing check, a captain who takes his role by the throat and forwards who are entering their prime. This, without mentioning the prospects.

This team needed an off-ice personnel guy to show veteran knowledge and take it to another level. Quinn in Toronto, Crawford in Vancouver, Bryan Murray in Anaheim, and Lacroix in Quebec/Colorado have done it. Now, Gainey will do it to The Habs.

[sakiqc]

I agree with you GH2. and If it's not working with Gainey, how would it work? I don't say it was a disastear with Savard. Overall I'm really satisfied with his job. Like he said at the press conference, he felt the team was ready for a next step, and it was better to step down for the team. I appreciate a lot that kind of attitude and it shows a lot about his person. Some will say that he did it to keep a job, since he knew he would be fired someday. I don't agree with that.. well, basically all GMs and coaches are fired a day or another. I didn't see many GM step down as an assistant GM. If he did it to save his job, well it was wise. Anyways it's a nice move, because it makes the transition a lot easier for the team.

I don't expect big trades/signings from Gainey. The team has not more money because it's Gainey. What I expect from him will be wise decision. He won't be shy to send down, drop people, or to keep some young players up. His attitude will reflect on the coaching staff, and the coaching staff will have an higher or "nervosity" to perform. I don't know if Julien is good under pressure. I hope yes, and I hope he performs well. Because it won't take time before Gainey hires an experienced coach. Julien is great, still a rookie coach. Maybe he should have started as an assistant for at least a year.. dunno, but surely Gainey does.

It's that kind of confidence we can have in Gainey.. he knows what he does and we smells a "respect feeling" around him. Savard is an outstanding hockey head, maybe not the prestance and the positive authority to lead a big organisation like the Habs.

[Edited on 2003-7-3 by sakiqc]