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Pierre Gauthier might want to protect his neck

Philadelphia Flyers v Montreal Canadiens

MONTREAL, CANADA - OCTOBER 26: Montreal Canadiens General Manager Pierre Gauthier addresses the media on the firing of Asstistant Coach Perry Pearn prior to the NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Centre on October 26, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

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Considering how things have been going in Montreal for those in charge, Habs GM Pierre Gauthier might want to make sure the Canadiens get things turned around.

Montreal’s mostly disappointing season has seen messages being sent from above all year long.

They fired former assistant coach Perry Pearn to send a message that the losing had to stop. That move got the Canadiens turned around a bit, but consistency was still lacking.

They traded for Tomas Kaberle from Carolina to help clean things up on the blue line with Andrei Markov out with knee problems. Now Jacques Martin has been fired and if this move doesn’t pan out for Montreal, it could be Pierre Gauthier who goes next and his track record isn’t too hot.

Since taking over as Canadiens GM from Bob Gainey in February 2010, Gauthier’s moves haven’t been impressive. Checking out his track record courtesy of All Habs (Part 1, Part 2), Gauthier’s done more to find parts for Montreal’s AHL team than the NHL team. All that’s left behind in Montreal now are Tomas Kaberle, Lars Eller (the “big name” in the Jaroslav Halak trade), Mike Blunden, and Petteri Nokelainen. Yikes.

Those trades on top of Erik Cole’s monster contract this summer don’t make for a great track record while the Canadiens roll along in mediocre fashion. Gauthier’s pick for the next head coach had better be a good one because it could be the man that saves his job.