Bob Gainey, you have been heard. And we doubt you're done.
The NHL's most patient GM has his limits, too. Over the past 48 hours, Gainey has made his feelings known about a talented roster that has derailed off the tracks so badly that making the playoffs has replaced winning the Cup as the burning question in Montreal.
On Monday, Gainey traded for a veteran, puck-moving blueliner in Mathieu Schneider, beating out several other clubs that were waiting until closer to the March 4 deadline to step up their offers to Atlanta.
On Tuesday, he sent gifted but inconsistent forward Sergei Kostitsyn to the AHL. "Enough is enough, kid," might have been Gainey's message. "We know you've got silky smooth hands, but you also have the work ethic of a 9-year-old. Smarten up." Oh, and did you see the player called up to replace Sergei? Gregory Stewart, a hardworking, blue-collar type. Gainey wants to re-emphasize work ethic on this slumping outfit.
But the coup de grace, no doubt, was telling Alexei Kovalev to go home and sit out the team's road games in Washington and Pittsburgh. That exploded like a bomb in Montreal among fans and media. It would have been a good day to rob a bank. No one would have noticed; everyone was too busy calling in to radio shows and discussing the latest in the 2008-09 soap opera that is the Montreal Canadiens.
Inside the Canadiens' dressing room, we are told, the players were stunned. Kovalev is their most gifted offensive player. He's also their most disappointing performer this season.
For the record, Gainey told reporters Tuesday that he believed Kovalev looked and sounded tired and that the break might do him good. But he also said anything was possible going forward and didn't rule out a trade when a media member asked about that possibility.
But if Kovalev has been made available leaguewide, that was news to two Western Conference GMs we contacted Tuesday night.
"No, did not know that," said one of the GMs, who didn't know Kovalev had been sent home.
Of course, if Gainey does want to move him, he probably wouldn't send out one of those leaguewide "on the block" memos but rather would discreetly phone a couple of his counterparts.
He also might keep Kovalev, hoping the mini-vacation will cure him. As of Tuesday night, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com that "all options remained opened. No decisions have been taken at this point."
Whether Kovalev survives the March 4 trade deadline or not, Gainey succeeded in sending a message to all his players. If he can send home the most dynamic player on his team, you can sure bet he'll have no qualms doing it to anybody else on the roster.
The move, which took some serious courage on Gainey's part, also showed leadership, which is hardly surprising from a guy who once wore the "C" for the Canadiens. Gainey showed support for his coach Guy Carbonneau, knowing how difficult Kovalev has been to handle all season and taking pressure off his coach before the situation got out of hand. In a week when another NHL coach got the ax, it's refreshing to see a GM back his coach in this fashion.
It might be too late for all these moves. The Canadiens might be beyond saving. But give Gainey credit, folks -- he's taking his best shot at salvaging what was once such a promising centennial season.
Pierre LeBrun
