LONGTIME HABS CAPTAIN KOIVU SIGNS WITH DUCKS

Despite the hoopla surrounding their 100^th anniversary, the 2008-2009 NHL season was a profound disappointment for the Montreal Canadiens.  After starting the campaign with expectations of a deep playoff run, Montreal struggled to make the playoffs and was swept in the first round by the Boston Bruins.  As a result of the postseason debacle, Habs GM Bob Gainey has vowed to remake the team even if it meant making tough and potentially unpopular decisions.  On Wednesday, potentially the most unpopular roster move of the offseason came to fruition as longtime Canadiens captain Saku Koivu signed a one year deal with the Anaheim Ducks.

Koivu was a beloved member of the community during his run with Montreal, as much from his performance on the ice and for the courage he demonstrated in fighting cancer in 2001.  Koivu served as Montreal captain for almost ten seasons, tying the legendary Jean Beliveau for the longest tenure in that position.  Until this point, he has played his entire career in the ‘Bleu, Blanc et Rouge’ scoring 191 goals and dishing out 450 assists. The ‘divorce’ from the Canadiens franchise came about somewhat abruptly, with Koivu summarily rebuffed when his agent approached management about resigning his client.  Though there were some talks about Koivu returning to Montreal after that nothing substantial ever came of them.

The Ducks, meanwhile, were happy to pick up a proven veteran team leader and ‘character guy’ to replace defenseman Chris Pronger who signed with the Philadelphia Flyers.  Ducks’ GM Bob Murray was understandably elated with the acquisition:

"Saku Koivu's character and leadership qualities are unquestioned. He is a skilled playmaker and we are thrilled to add him to our team."

Koivu spoke in more measured terms, no doubt facing mixed emotions as he leaves the tradition rich Canadiens for Southern California:

"For us it's been an exciting day, an exciting couple of days. After spending 14 years in Montreal and not experiencing anything else in the NHL, it's the first time for me to become a free agent. When that happens, there's a lot of question marks and you don't know for sure what's going to happen and where you're going to end up. Now that today we've signed with Anaheim, I can tell you, and my family and I are extremely happy, we're extremely excited about the new challenge and if it was up to me I'd like to start the season next week."

Back in Montreal, Habs GM Gainey rolled the dice on what could be a legacy defining gamble.  If the team performs well in 2009-2010, he could be hailed as a genius who did what was needed to get the franchise to the next level.  Unpopular moves made in this context can become an evidence of clear headed vision, such as Jerry Jones’ dismissal of venerable Tom Landry as coach when he purchased the NFL Dallas Cowboys.  The downside risk is equally as great—should Montreal struggle, much of the blame will be pinned on Gainey who could then become simply a scapegoat for frustrated Habs fans.