Habs' Kostitsyn loses game of chicken with GM Gainey
Winger scurries back to Hamilton Bulldogs after failed ultimatum
MONTREAL – If you thought Hamlet was a confused young man, you’ve never met Sergei Kostitsyn.
In a 24-hour period, the younger Kostitsyn brother walked out on the Hamilton Bulldogs, was suspended by the Canadiens for the second time this season and then agreed to return to the American Hockey League team after meeting with Bob Gainey after the general manager told Radio-Canada that he thought Kostitsyn was going to Russia.
The 22-year-old Kostitsyn packed his belongings after Hamilton’s 4-1 win over Manitoba Tuesday, amid reports he had given the Canadiens an ultimatum.
According to several Russian reports, Kostitsyn said he would leave North America for the Kontinental Hockey League if the Canadiens didn’t trade him.
There’s no doubt that Sergei Kostitsyn has talent, but Gainey – a man who doesn’t bow to threats or ultimatums – has made it clear that Kostitsyn has to prove he’s willing to work and earn a spot in the NHL.
There has been a disconnect between the Canadiens and Kostitsyn ever since he was associated with a minor thug in Montreal last spring. He was sent to Hamilton, because the team wasn’t happy with his work ethic and that should have been a wakeup call heading into this year’s training camp.
But he was late for practices and meetings, missed a team bus for an exhibition in Quebec City and was chewed out by head coach Jacques Martin when he failed to pay attention in practice.
The Canadiens sent him to Hamilton to start the season and he was suspended for the first time when he refused to report. He soon learned that Gainey doesn’t cave under pressure and he eventually reported. But even then, there was a missed communication somewhere because Kostitsyn was telling folks that Gainey had promised to trade him.
Not so, said the GM. He said a trade was possible and so was a return to Montreal. But nothing would happen, Gainey said, until Kostitsyn went to Hamilton and showed that he wanted to play.
The news from the farm was that Kostitsyn was working hard. He had two goals and an assist in one game on the weekend and it appeared he was on his way back to the NHL. But the return trip apparently wasn’t quick enough for Kostitsyn, who took several steps backward with his latest walkout.
Kostitsyn’s lack of patience is in sharp contrast to the attitude of goaltender Jaroslav Halak. The 24-year-old Slovak has good reason to wonder why he’s stuck behind Carey Price on the Canadiens' depth chart.
But Halak isn’t pouting, he isn’t asking for a trade and he hasn’t been checking any Russian travel guides.
“I want to be a No. 1 goaltender but I’m patient,” Halak said after practice Wednesday. “I’m a bull, a Taurus. I’m determined, but I’m also patient.”
Halak made 22 saves and stopped two more shots in the shootout Tuesday night to beat Atlanta, but he’s patiently waiting to see if that was enough to get him another start against the Islanders Thursday night.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/spor...s+game+chicken+with+Gainey/2129165/story.html
