Aftermath
May 8th, 2008 by wrightBob Gainey has a well deserved reputation for being inscrutable when it comes to his strategies and evaluation of personnel for the Montreal Canadiens. Yesterday’s season ending press conference and post mortem on the 2007-08 season was no exception. For the most part Gainey spoke in broad generalities, however at times he did let his guard down and provided some insights into his off season priorities for upgrading the team.
Amongst Gainey’s revealing comments was the fact that he felt the team was set in goal, and had long term sustainability on defense, and that he would attempt to strengthen the team on the forward units. Additionally, the team from his perception was built on speed, quickness, opportunism and intelligence. He openly scoffed athe notion that the team was not rugged enough to effectively compete for the Stanley Cup. Gainey stated ” we want to play a fast game. We are going to play to score, and beat you within the rules”. From the aforementioned comments, it would appear that Gainey is looking to add more speed and skill upfront, as opposed to restructuring the team along more physical lines. Gainey seemingly determined that the team will continue to be built around speed and skill, and that he will make future moves with the philosophy of agumenting those assets. Additionally, Gainey commented that the organization was comfortable with its present salary structure, within the constrictions of the salary cap. Most significantly, Gainey added, we don’t have any 15 year contracts. A hallmark of the Gainey administrations philosophy on the salary cap is maintaining payroll flexibility. It is unlikely, that Gainey will box himself in to protracted long term contracts.
When one analyzes Gainey’s comments, it would appear that he is prepared to target high skill, veteran unrestricted free agent forwards in the upcoming off season. The most notable candidates that seem to fit into Gainey’s criterion would be: Sundin, Rolston and possibly Jagr. All three are 36 years of age, and as such would not require long term deals. As a result, it would enable Gainey to maintain his coveted payroll flexibility which will be a asset come 2009, when the likes of Plekanec, Higgins and Komisarek will all be eligible for free agency, and will require substantial pay increases to remain members of the Canadiens organization. In Sundin, the Habs would add a true world class player. A power center who is able to maintain position down low and create havoc in front of the opposition goal. Sundin is familiar playing in a hockey crazed city, and along with Rolston has a reputation of being a first class individual on and off the ice. Rolston offers terrific speed, a heavy shot, sound positional player that would provide a major upgrade for the Canadiens penalty killing units. Jagr, is a bit more of a dark horse candidate for the team to pursue. Unlike, Sundin and Rolston he has a reputation for being high maintenance, and his productivity has diminished in recent seasons. Nonetheless, Jagr, as well as either Sundin and Rolston would represent substantial upgrades for the Habs. Based on salary committments, and the prerequiste pay increases to upcoming restricted free agents, Gainey will have approximately 10 million dollars to spend on enticing ufa’s to come play in Montreal.
The multi million dollar question, will this be the year that Gainey finally lands a top tier ufa? For the past two years the Canadiens have been the bridesmaid in the ufa sweepstakes. Gainey offered Shanahan, Arnott, Briere and Smyth more lucrative contracts, only to see those players select another team. This year could be different. The Canadiens effectively shed their image of a down trodden team. They are accurately perceived as a skilled young quick team on the rise. A team that is being built to be a perennial contender. Despite, the lack of depth in the upcoming unrestricted free agent market, this could be the year in which Gainey is able to sign a quality ufa. A key pick up could go along way to making the Canadiens a more complete team ready to take the next step to compete for the cup in 2008-09, the organizations centennial year.
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