GAINEY’S GAMBLE ON PRICE PAYING OFF

Bob Gainey took two major gambles during his tenure as general manager of the Canadiens. The first was to draft Carey Price with the No. 5 overall pick at the 2005 NHL entry draft and promptly declare him as the Habs’ goalie of the future. The popular and competent Jaroslav Halak was later traded to make room for Price. Gainey’s second gamble was to fill his roster with small, speedy and skilled players because the NHL had made major rule changes and Gainey thought speed and skill would triumph over size and toughness. As we all know, his second gamble failed miserably. Marc Bergevin, the current GM, is now trying to get bigger and tougher players. But Gainey’s first gamble has paid off handsomely as Price has firmly established himself as the Habs’ goalie of the fu- ture. The fact Price was a key part of Canada’s Olympic team further validates Gainey’s vision. Moving forward, if Price helps the Habs win that elusive 25th Stanley Cup, he will have proven that Gainey made the correct choice. If that were to happen, hockey historians will judge Gainey’s legacy with the Habs more favourably.