This is something that needs to be talked about more if you're going to debate which one of Gainey or Bergevin are better/worse than the other. What sort of a team did they inherit from their predecessors? I'd wager that Gainey had much more grunt work to do coming in than Bergevin, who inherited a team with some nice pieces (most of whom were brought in by Gainey, by the way) The team that Gainey inherited resembled the kind of team that Bergevin has now: rudderless and mired in its own excrement.
Gainey wasn't perfect, but he was better than this clown. Hell, I'd hire him back this afternoon just to be rid of Bergevin.
I have mentioned it many times but Gainey inherited a very good group, probably better than what MB did, and a lot less garbage too.
Gainey got Markov/Beau/Hainsey/Komi/Souray. That is a strong D core.
On forward he had Koivu/Ribs/Pleks/Ryder/Higgins + 10th OVA in one of the BEST drafts in history. Decent enough forward group and best group of C's habs have had since 93.
Its a myth to say Gainey didn't inherit much, he inherited a very strong group. He went on to lose Ribs/Hainsey/Beau for basically nothing and wasted Koivu away for most of his time here. He drafted Kots when we could of had franchise players, Centers.
He also inherited a goalie who came off winning a Vezna and Hart 2 seasons previous. Laugh at Theo all you want but he had the hardware to his name. Price isn't looking much better than Theo these days is he?
MB got PK(=to Markov), an old Pleks, an old Markov, Max (best scorer for habs in a while but playoff ghost) Galley (good player) and the 3rd OVA in a bad draft (1st and 2nd OVA look like busts). He inherited a young punk in Price who was living off his hype and took 2 years to finally put it together under Waite and win some hardware.
Aside from PK fanatics I don't see how you anyone could say MB inherited a better group of players than MB did.
Coaches, BG was better at hiring AHL coaches I will give him that. NHL coaches. MT vs Martin/Carbo, both are losers in that battle.
I still think MB is worse due to Price's contract and the way the team has performed the last 3 years.