Gainey, Carbonneau Have End Of Season Press Conference

The Montreal Canadiens held an end of season press conference at 2:oo pm this afternoon, here are some of the topics which Bob Gainey, and Guy Carbonneau addressed.

First off, Bob Gainey ( general manager ) thanked the fans for their support through-out the season, especially during the play-offs. Gainey stated that the fans support made the atmosphere of the city a great one, and that the fans made the whole Habs organization feel special.

Gainey went on to say that the Philadelphia Flyers were the better team, and deserved to move on. He also stated that the Flyers did well in their off season by acquiring good players, and that they started their rebuilding after a bad season in 2006.

Gainey stipulated that he now knows, having gone through the play-offs, where the holes are in the team, and that they will look to fill those wholes in the off-season either with free agents, or by their minor league system. Gainey also added that he wants to be a contender next year, and for years to come.

Bob Gainey said that he would be looking for a forward in the off-season, but failed to mention what type of forward he would be looking for.

Carbonneau said that the Habs lost as a team, and that no one player was to blame. The young players grew together, and saw what they will need to perform better in next years play-offs. He went on to say that Carey Price was tired, but that Price also now knows that the play-offs in the NHL are different than in the minors, and that he will be back next year in better physical, as well as mental shape to start the season, and that he will be better in the play-offs to come.

Gainey said that he is aware of the rumour that Andrei Kostitsyn is being tendered a contract by the Russian Super League, and that he accepts the reality of the situation. Gainey knows of the possibility, if Kostitsyn decides to go to Russia, he would deal with it when it would happen, and is fully prepared to do so.

Gainey said about Michael Ryder that Ryder tried to change his game, and that last year he scored 15 five on five goals, this year he scored 13, but that at the end of the day, the Canadiens were a better team without him. Gainey also said that Mark Streit will be interviewed, and if he wishes to stay with the team, perhaps something can be arranged. As for the other free agents, Bob Gainey has not made his assessment of the whole team yet.

Gainey said that by draft day 2008, the Habs will know what direction they are going in for next season, and what type of player(s) could help them.

On the question of if the centennial changes anything, Gainey said that it does as all the media will be focusing on Montreal, and that some pieces of the puzzle are already in place, now they just have to complete the puzzle.

Fabian Brunnstrom was in Montreal this past Saturday, are the Habs interested? Gainey said that they are interested, and have given their proposal to him, and his agent, and that the Canadiens should know by late this week, early next week what Brunnstrom’s intentions are.

Gainey was asked if the team needed more size and grit, to which he replied that they do, but that they are a fast team, and would like to remain as such, but that some more grit couldn’t hurt.

Gainey also replied to the fact that some teams could tender an offer to Andrei Kostitsyn, like the Edmonton Oilers did to a player of another team, and said that it is a posibility, but that he can do the same also. Basically giving an un-official warning.

Well now that the season is officially over Bob Gainey will take a deep breath, and a little break before starting again, the Habs need some little tweaking to be a real contender, what will Bob Gainey do?