HabsWorld.net -- 

On Monday, the Habs announced that GM Bob
Gainey is stepping down effective immediately as General Manager of the Montreal
Canadiens.  He has been replaced by assistant GM Pierre Gauthier.   The team
has called a press conference for 4 PM EST this afternoon to further discuss the
situation.  A live chat will be taking place on the HW forums.

Gainey took over as GM of the Habs in 2003, his acquisitions guiding the team to
a 241-176-53 record over that span.  In his 5 full seasons as GM, the team
never had fewer than 41 wins.  He also took over as interim head coach on
two separate occasions, amassing a 29-21-7 record.

Gauthier has some experience as a National Hockey League GM, running the Ottawa
Senators from December 11, 1995 to June 29, 1998 when he stepped down to joining
the then Anaheim Mighty Ducks as team president and GM, where he stayed until
2002.  One year later, he joined the Habs as Director of Professional
Scouting, a position that he’s held until being promoted to assistant GM, on July 24, 2006.

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here to take part in the chat.