STARR EXCLUSIVE: Gainey’s emotional goodbye to Price

Just hours before taking the podium to announce he was stepping down as the Montreal Canadiens general manager, Bob Gainey said his goodbyes to young goalie Carey Price in an emotional closed-door meeting.

Sources inside the Canadiens organization say the meeting was “extremely hard” for Gainey, a man who risked everything for his increasingly insecure netminder. Here’s the heart-warming footage, available exclusively on The Steve Network

Whoops, sorry for the mix-up, apparently there’s no footage of the tearful goodbye, only a detailed account, enjoy:

(knock, knock)

Gainey: Come in Carey.

Price: Is it true papa?

Gainey (patting his knee): I’m afraid it is son.

Price (jumping on Gainey’s lap): But why? It’s not fair.

Gainey: Now Carey, what have I always told you?

Price: Just to do my best?

Gainey: Yes, but what I meant here Carey is life’s not always fair. You’ll learn that in time.

Price: Is that why Jaroslav is getting all the starts now?

Gainey (shaking head): No Carey, I’m afraid that’s the very definition of fair.

Price: Then it’s my fault, isn’t it?!!

Gainey: What is?

Price (tearing up): That you’re leaving. It’s my fault.

Gainey: No Carey, as I’ve told you before, the problems between your organization and I have nothing to do with you.

Price (sniffling): But you drafted me 5th overall. It was the team’s highest draft pick in a quarter-century.

Gainey (handing Price a box of tissues): Please don’t blame yourself Carey, it’s no good for anyone.

Price (blows nose): But, but, remember when you traded Cristobal even though we were first in the league? That was because of me.

Gainey: Carey, that was my decision. I thought you were ready, but GMs make mistakes too.

Price (now bawling): And last year in the playoffs, why did you start me in every game against Boston? I told you we’d get swept! I told you.

Gainey (head down): I’m sorry, I know I haven’t always been the best GM to you, but I’ve always tried my best.

Price (looking into Gainey’s eyes): I know papa, I know. Sure you could have raised me better, but at least you always loved me.

Gainey (now tearing up himself): I’ll always love you son.

Price: So, what will you do now?

Gainey: Well, I could try one more time to convince grandpa Molson to let me trade Jaroslav.

Price (hopeful): Would he listen?

Gainey: No, probably not. That’s what got us here in the first place.

Price (dejected): I didn’t think so.

Gainey (suddenly resigned to the fact he’s leaving): So, Carey, there’s another reason I called you here today.

Price: Yes papa, what is it?

Gainey: Pierre may put you up for adoption.

Price (yelling): No! No! No! No!  What about all my friends? This is not happening.

Gainey: Now Carey, I need you be strong here. You’re the man of the house now.

Price (pouting): But I don’t want to go.

Gainey: Your organization and I feel it could be good for you. You’ll meet new friends. And what about St. Louis, you always liked it there.

Price: I guess I could try.

Gainey (messing up Price’s hair): That’s my boy! Now, who wants ice cream?

Price (hears ice cream truck): Yay!!!!!!