Apparently Bob Gainey thought it appropriate to file for a divorce instead. A slow decline from the top end of the conference into an intense battle for a playoff spot, has cost Guy Carbonneau his head coaching job with the Montreal Canadiens. As I noted on the weekend, expectations were so high for this team that something had to give, and fast. The trade deadline came and went and no players arrived or left. There was only one place left to turn - behind the bench. With Carolina and Pittsburgh catching fire, I assume Gainey, who will take over as coach for the balance of the season, was beginning to feel the heat. At this juncture of the season, everyone in Montreal is hoping this transition can work.
Here's how I'm assessing the situation - Gainey is motivated by a need to preserve his own position within the organization. After all, he's the one responsible for the on ice personnel Carbonneau had to work with, meaning he also believes, as a group, they are a good enough team to be competitive right now (hence his inactivity last week). Supposedly, Carbonneau did not - just look at the way he distributed ice time. Getting behind the bench gives Gainey the opportunity to prove the team he put together can win. They better win a lot and get into the playoffs because if they don't, he'll be gone too.
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