Shell
06-03-2003, 07:55 AM
Gainey named new Habs GM
TSN.ca Staff with CP
6/2/2003
The Montreal Canadiens shook up their front office on Monday, introducing Bob Gainey as the team's new Executive Vice President and General Manager, while former GM Andre Savard will be the new Assistant General Manager.
Gainey and Savard agreed to four year contracts, effective July 1, 2003. That means Savard will remain at the head of the table for the NHL Entry Draft later this month.
Gainey, who won a Stanley Cup as GM of the Dallas Stars in 1999, is a former captain of the Canadiens. Gainey was looking to get back into the business after taking some time off to attend family matters.
"The appointment of Bob Gainey marks a new page in the Canadiens history," said president Pierre Boivin. "We are very happy to welcome Bob to our organization.
"His experience as a player, a coach and a General Manager, his professional expertise and his personal qualities along with his profound knowledge of the National Hockey League will be a major contribution to the continued improvement of the Montreal Canadiens."
"I am very happy to join the Montreal Canadiens," Gainey said. "I have fond memories of the 16 seasons that I played with the organization and of the Montreal fans. The Canadiens have a great winning tradition and together with André Savard, we are going to do everything possible to develop a winning team."
But he cautioned that he would like to concentrate more on the future.
"My presence here is not about the past," he said. "It's about today. It's about the future.
"My goals are to bring my knowledge and my expereince and my determination to win in every area of the hockey department, in recruitment and development, in coaching to the players," Gainey said. "I have total commitment to helping this club becoming a member of the hockey department to become a stronger and better team to better represent the city of Montreal."
Gainey also noted that he would lean heavily on Savard's assistance while he gets up to speed.
"Not only will I need greatly Andre's assistance in the upcoming 3-4 weeks, but his knowledge and his experience will be vital to the organization as we move on," Gainey said.
A Peterborough, Ontario native, Gainey is a Canadiens' legend, having won five Stanley Cups and served as captain for the last eight of his 16 seasons in Montreal.
The hall of fame left-winger won the Selke Trophy as the league's top defensive forward the first four years it was awarded from 1978 to 1981.
He also captured the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1979, the last of four straight Stanley Cups won by the Canadiens.
The Stars became a league power under Gainey.
Gainey, 49, served as the Stars' general manager for 10 seasons from 1992-2002, holding the dual role of coach and general manager from 1992-1996. Having been appointed head coach of the Minnesota North Stars on June 19, 1990, Gainey led Minnesota to the 1991 Stanley Cup Finals. He relinquished his head coaching duties on January 8, 1996.
Over his final six seasons as the full-time general manager (1996-2002), Gainey helped the Stars win five straight Division Championships, two Presidents' Trophies for the best regular-season record in the NHL, and the 1999 Stanley Cup. He stepped down as the team's general manager on January 25, 2002.
"Bob Gainey is a consummate professional and a winner," said Stars Owner Tom Hicks. "I talked to Bob last night and thanked him for everything he has done for our organization these past 12 years. I wish him the best in his new opportunity with the Montreal Canadiens."
"Bob Gainey built a winning legacy here with the Dallas Stars that continues today," said Stars President Jim Lites. "The footprint of success Bob leaves behind with the Dallas Stars is something that will be a part of this organization forever."
Part of the legacy includes Gainey son, Steve, a prospect playing in the Stars' system.
Savard had a tenuous run as the Canadiens' GM. He proved himself adept at the draft table, restocking the Habs' development system, but struggled at money management and player evaluation.
Last summer, Savard made a trade for winger Mariusz Czerkawski, who scored only five goals and ended the season with Hamilton of the AHL. Czerkawski is owed $2.6 million next season.
He also signed free agent Randy McKay, 36, who looked to be on the down side of his career and who is to earn $2.125 million in 2003-04.
But the biggest mess involved defenceman Patrice Brisebois, who last season played the first year of a contract for three years plus an option year worth about $4 million per season, which many considered well above the risk-taking blue-liner's market value. It included a no-trade clause for the first two years.
Brisebois, booed by Bell Centre fans, took time off due to stress in mid-season and angered fans by going on vacation to Europe. A reported late-season trade to New Jersey fell through, but Savard confirmed he was trying to deal Brisebois.
Gainey said he had no immediate plans to make personnel changes. Instead, he vowed to force better seasons from the players currently on the roster - "even if they don't like it."
TSN.ca Staff with CP
6/2/2003
The Montreal Canadiens shook up their front office on Monday, introducing Bob Gainey as the team's new Executive Vice President and General Manager, while former GM Andre Savard will be the new Assistant General Manager.
Gainey and Savard agreed to four year contracts, effective July 1, 2003. That means Savard will remain at the head of the table for the NHL Entry Draft later this month.
Gainey, who won a Stanley Cup as GM of the Dallas Stars in 1999, is a former captain of the Canadiens. Gainey was looking to get back into the business after taking some time off to attend family matters.
"The appointment of Bob Gainey marks a new page in the Canadiens history," said president Pierre Boivin. "We are very happy to welcome Bob to our organization.
"His experience as a player, a coach and a General Manager, his professional expertise and his personal qualities along with his profound knowledge of the National Hockey League will be a major contribution to the continued improvement of the Montreal Canadiens."
"I am very happy to join the Montreal Canadiens," Gainey said. "I have fond memories of the 16 seasons that I played with the organization and of the Montreal fans. The Canadiens have a great winning tradition and together with André Savard, we are going to do everything possible to develop a winning team."
But he cautioned that he would like to concentrate more on the future.
"My presence here is not about the past," he said. "It's about today. It's about the future.
"My goals are to bring my knowledge and my expereince and my determination to win in every area of the hockey department, in recruitment and development, in coaching to the players," Gainey said. "I have total commitment to helping this club becoming a member of the hockey department to become a stronger and better team to better represent the city of Montreal."
Gainey also noted that he would lean heavily on Savard's assistance while he gets up to speed.
"Not only will I need greatly Andre's assistance in the upcoming 3-4 weeks, but his knowledge and his experience will be vital to the organization as we move on," Gainey said.
A Peterborough, Ontario native, Gainey is a Canadiens' legend, having won five Stanley Cups and served as captain for the last eight of his 16 seasons in Montreal.
The hall of fame left-winger won the Selke Trophy as the league's top defensive forward the first four years it was awarded from 1978 to 1981.
He also captured the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1979, the last of four straight Stanley Cups won by the Canadiens.
The Stars became a league power under Gainey.
Gainey, 49, served as the Stars' general manager for 10 seasons from 1992-2002, holding the dual role of coach and general manager from 1992-1996. Having been appointed head coach of the Minnesota North Stars on June 19, 1990, Gainey led Minnesota to the 1991 Stanley Cup Finals. He relinquished his head coaching duties on January 8, 1996.
Over his final six seasons as the full-time general manager (1996-2002), Gainey helped the Stars win five straight Division Championships, two Presidents' Trophies for the best regular-season record in the NHL, and the 1999 Stanley Cup. He stepped down as the team's general manager on January 25, 2002.
"Bob Gainey is a consummate professional and a winner," said Stars Owner Tom Hicks. "I talked to Bob last night and thanked him for everything he has done for our organization these past 12 years. I wish him the best in his new opportunity with the Montreal Canadiens."
"Bob Gainey built a winning legacy here with the Dallas Stars that continues today," said Stars President Jim Lites. "The footprint of success Bob leaves behind with the Dallas Stars is something that will be a part of this organization forever."
Part of the legacy includes Gainey son, Steve, a prospect playing in the Stars' system.
Savard had a tenuous run as the Canadiens' GM. He proved himself adept at the draft table, restocking the Habs' development system, but struggled at money management and player evaluation.
Last summer, Savard made a trade for winger Mariusz Czerkawski, who scored only five goals and ended the season with Hamilton of the AHL. Czerkawski is owed $2.6 million next season.
He also signed free agent Randy McKay, 36, who looked to be on the down side of his career and who is to earn $2.125 million in 2003-04.
But the biggest mess involved defenceman Patrice Brisebois, who last season played the first year of a contract for three years plus an option year worth about $4 million per season, which many considered well above the risk-taking blue-liner's market value. It included a no-trade clause for the first two years.
Brisebois, booed by Bell Centre fans, took time off due to stress in mid-season and angered fans by going on vacation to Europe. A reported late-season trade to New Jersey fell through, but Savard confirmed he was trying to deal Brisebois.
Gainey said he had no immediate plans to make personnel changes. Instead, he vowed to force better seasons from the players currently on the roster - "even if they don't like it."