Gauthier new GM, Gainey stays on as Adviser

[AH$$$]

Gainey to step down?

[hairnova]

TSNBobMcKenzie: I don't normally report rumors because you can check them out and either confirm or deny most of the time, but having said that... Rumors are rampant Bob Gainey is stepping down as GM of the Habs. I have asked the principals involved to confirm or deny. NO response. Make of that what you will but the Habs have now called a 4 p.m. news conference regarding management of the team.

[reddevil]

Seems like odd timing. . .perhaps stepping up at the end of the season with Gauthier taking over

[mtl79]

Looks like it's set to happen.... heard a rumour that Martin will be the interim GM....

Having said that, watch them announce that Gainey has been signed for 5 years lol....

[AH$$$]

My prediction:

Patrick Roy comes home and appointed GM.

Gainey stays as GM until end of season and moves upstairs for 5 more years.

[reddevil]

Does JM become the GM next year and Boucher steps up next season?

[BadHABit]

Oh man, oh man I feel like a kid at Xmas. Could it be? *fingers crossed*

[Exit716]

There's no way in hell Martin gets near the GM's job. He can't even coach in today's NHL, who would want him calling the shots. We'd have a bunch of Travis Moen types that can't score.

[XPOFAN]

Heaven help us.

[CH1]

Quite possible...but a funny thing to happen a day after JM told everyone that the AHL is not the NHL.

[XPOFAN]

I also did mention that Gainey was going to be gone.

[AH$$$]

Dreger confirms: Bob steps down.

No news on the other dominoes.

[XPOFAN]

Houle returns.

[mtl79]

Haven't heard anything more than that unfortunately

[deandebean]

Guys, I can now write it:
- if Bob steps down, I can say that Clown is NOT A FRAUD.

- Last Friday, I had a chat session one-on-one with the guy, up until 2 AM. He told me this:
- Bob could be stepping down this week (something was to happen before Tuesday)
- Pierre Gauthier has met with Geoff to take over as interim GM. (others might have been too)
- If Gauthier comes, there will be player movement for sure.
- And he told me who one of his sources was. If true (and it seems by the looks of things), then the guy is legitimate.

[XPOFAN]

So much for votes of confidence from Geoff.

[mtl79]

Gainey is effectively being fired.... he knew he wasn't getting a new contract.... so they're just making it look like he's stepping down....

[CH1]

The timing ain't bad. The NHL shuts down for two weeks (no trades, no games) so the new GM would have a couple of weeks to tweak the roster and figure out what to offer (if anything) to Pleks and see which offer already on the table for either Halak or Price is best.

[AH$$$]

Thanks Dean.

[UWHabs]

Precursor to Price being dealt? With the way Bob has handled him, doubt he'd be willing to pull the trigger.

As for timing, it makes sense. If Bob isn't coming back, can't have a lame duck handle the deadline.