Glad to see Gainey stick up for his players....but could be his demise.

P.S. The fans and the press better be careful....or free agents will say no way to playing in Montreal..nobody needs that shyte.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:23 AM ET  04.24 by Buc Fettman

Glad to see Gainey stick up for his players....but could be his demise.

He might have that coming anyways

These guys are professionals and have to live with trade talk all the time. If that was enough of a "distraction" The Habs have a bigger problem on their hands.

Let me run down the list of people that have been Montreal's problem according to Gainey. First it was Huet in 2007-2008, then it was Kovalev. Gainey then fired guy Carbonneau. When that didn't fix it, the players were at fault because they weren't listening to him, the wise Bob Gainey. Finally, it was trade rumors and the heinous act of making public names that Gainey was willing to trade that "was a factor in the team's second half collapse." I'm sure at some point he'll throw the media, the fans, and eventually the pressures of delivering on Montreal's centennial year under the bus too. You know what they say about when someone has a problem with everyone:

You're actually the problem.

I think it is a disgrace that these players tanked the Habs season because they were upset they "might" get traded to Tampa. Are you serious? Trades are part of the game. You don't mail it in because your feeling get hurt. What a joke!

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:55 AM ET  04.24 by Spiny Norman

These guys are professionals and have to live with trade talk all the time. If that was enough of a "distraction" The Habs have a bigger problem on their hands.

Exactly. And we're talking about trading for Lecavalier here, not some scrub, so of course names are going to come up. It's the Playoffs, **** and play the damn game.

shut the h e l l up

First it is faked injuries, now it is the fear to be traded to Tampa, what's next a team fashion show that they don't want to participate in? However, it is good to see Gainey take a stand for his players rather than call out their inability to listen to instruction.

there are trade rumors every year.... how many times has jordan stall heard his name in the rumor mill.... the vast majority of the time its just a RUMOR.... i doubt the players read anything into it..... the canadiens and fans set the bar way to high for the team they have... thats the excuse gainey should be using.... realistically this team is a 5th -8th place team at best... inconsistent goaltending, a weakened defense that has lost at least one blueliner every year it seems, and no superstar forward that can take the team on his back.... kovalev isnt the character id put my hopes on.... and all the injuries and you have your 8th place.... be happy.... the panthers were a better team and sat at home.

Man he seems to come up with alot of excuses

what's next a team fashion show that they don't want to participate in?
**************

No, they already canceled that because Koivu threatened to whip "it" out on stage.

to think they tanked the season due to rumors, that's a good way to make sure the trade DOESN'T happen. Imagine being Tampa right now, and the guys you wanted cause you thought they'd represent your team well wind up being total **** that would ruin a teams season based on a rumor? I know i'd back down from it.

With that said, they should have just made the trade right then and there! this idea of carrying a trade over to the next season is insane.

THATS TOTAL B.S BOB STOP TRYING TO CORVER YOUR ASS BUY BLAMING THE TB LIGHTING

Your team played like horse **** no excusses

YOU SHOULD BE ASK YOUR SELF WHY is george laraque and carey price (aka captain douchbag) starting in the playoffs

As much as it must suck to be a Habs fan, only somebody on the happy herb could have realistically thought they were going to do much this year.

Now down the coast from me in San Jose, it has to be truly one of the worst places to root for a team. They consistently re-define the concept of tanking.

Listen, I am not a Habs fan, as you can clearly see by my sparklingb avatar..

BUT, Bob Gainey is one of the classiest men in all of hockey. He is honest, considerate and polite to all who meet him. The pressure of being Montreal's GM post has worn him down and I wish him well as he has had to suffer through a tough few years (loss of his wife and daughter).

Having said that, Bob should have made some moves, most of you have stated this in posts and I agree. Rumours get leaked all the time in all major team sports. If Tampa leaked info they wouldn't be the first. Gainey is old-school, he believes in doing things one way and leaking info to drive trade value up isn't part of that school. Time to move on.

The Habs have some major problems.

1) a boatload of UFAs. which to sign?
2) is Price the real deal?
3) a horrible climate in the dresisng room, no trust, no guts and no leadership.
4) new coach AND probably new GM for next season
5) ownership issues


All this will play itself out during the summer, but much work is to be done to get this team going again.

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 12:49 PM ET  04.24 by Hank Kingsley

As much as it must suck to be a Habs fan, only somebody on the happy herb could have realistically thought they were going to do much this year.Now down the coast from me in San Jose, it has to be truly one of the worst places to root for a team. They consistently re-define the concept of tanking.

yeah they win a series most years and lose in teh rd 2 but least the gm doesnt blame anther team for losing a series

Is this how low the Canadiens had to sink to? Blaming a Franchise who is in turmoil already? What do you think the players thought when the rumors for Lecavalier came up? That they were all safe? Heck if the Lightning would have not told the names in the trade all the players would have felt shaky and scared because they could have gotten traded away. IT HAPPENS WITH EVERY TRADE RUMOR AND SPECIALLY OF THIS MAGNITUDE!

The Canadiens played straight out crappy heck the Lightning could have given them a better run for their money with a back up AHL goalie and the crappy defense they have, just shut up and play.