Mar 09 2009
Can Gainey do it better?
Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey fired head coach Guy Carbonneau this afternoon, choosing himself to replace the former Canadiens captain behind the bench. Gainey is placing the blame for his team’s recent listless performances on Carbonneau’s shoulders, and seems to feel like he can restore the team to the level it played at last season, and through the early months of this season.
He’s misguided, as I see it. The problems with this Montreal team go far beyond the job Carbo did behind the bench. Alexei Kovalev is the perfect embodiment of this Canadiens squad - unbelievably talented, yet sometimes lacking the drive required to win consistently in this league.
Nice to see, however, that Gainey is adding veteran coach Don Lever to his staff. Lever was always underrecognized for the work he did for the Buffalo Sabres, and will be a terrific addition to Gainey’s organization.
This move will light a fire under the Habs - for a few games. Then it will be back to business as usual, as the Canadiens continue their slide and barely hang on in the East before a quick first round exit.
Again - feel free to save this just in case it all blows up in my face. LOL
