Former Canadien Doug Risebrough might be another name in the Canadiens’ GM hunt.
Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images (2009 photo)
• Rangers send Senators packing
• Devils outlast Panthers in double overtime
It’s been a couple of weeks since we last looked at what is known about the Canadiens GM search, so here’s the latest:
While the Canadiens brass has maintained their general silence on the the hiring of their next general manager, reports have surfaced that they continue to speak with candidates. Renaud Lavoie of RDS, who seems to have good sources on this search, wrote on his blog this week that while Geoff Molson is not in any rush, it’s very possible the new GM could be in place within two or three weeks.
Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, Rangers’ Marian Gaborik post-game.
Bruce Bennett, Getty Images
When you think about all the new boss will have to do as his first tasks – including hire a coach, prepare for the draft and beginning of the free agency period on July 1 — that seems like a realistic time frame.
Lavoie named the candidates he believes the Habs have zeroed in on at this stage of the process: Marc Bergevin, Julien Brisebois, Pierre McGuire, François Giguère and a relatively new name that had previously been hinted at, former Canadiens forward Doug Risebrough.
Risebrough was the GM of the Calgary Flames from 1991 to 1995 and then became the first GM of the Minnesota Wild from 2000 to 2009. He has been with the Rangers as a consultant to President and GM Glen Sather. He previously worked for Sather at the Oilers as VP of Hockey Operations between his GM stints in Calgary and Minnesota.
Although McGuire’s candidacy had been urged by various media types and he was endorsed by Scotty Bowman on a TSN 990 interview, adding his name to those who are believed to have been interviewed is also a relatively new development. He was not mentioned among the first group of candidates to be contacted.
In fact, on the CJAD blog, Rick Moffat wrote this week that Brisebois and McGuire “are believed to be 2 of the 4 or 5 GM candidates granted 2nd interviews.”
One other intriguing report this week: Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill confirmed he had spoken the the Canadiens and was interested but declined to persue the opportunity for personal reasons. It had been thought Nill would not consider leaving Detroit, where he is well paid and highly prized.
The man who has worked hand in hand with Ken Holland to make the Red Wings the most successful club in the league over the last 15 years, Nill told Ansar Kahn of the Michigan Booth Newspapers that he had two good discussions with the Habs and would like to become a GM. “I was interested, they were interested,” Nill said. “But it’s not the right time.”
Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News reported later the same day that Nill’s wife is suffering from cancer, although she is doing better. “I would have loved the opportunity there but it wouldn’t have been fair to Montreal and my wife — it wouldn’t have been to just pick up and move,” Nill said.
There has been no further word since the initial reports linking Ron Hextall, Luc Robitaille or Claude Loiselle to the job.
Patrick Roy, of course, has stated he’d be more interested in coaching were he to return to the NHL.
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How About this:
To Anahiem: Plekanec, a 2012 3rd round pick, a 2013 2nd round pick, Danny Kristo, and Yannick Weber
To Montreal: Bobby Ryan, Sheldon Brookbank
Any imput would be appreciated
i would not do this trade because we already have wingers, but if we wanted a winger why not trade for perry? my proposal
Plekanec,2013 2nd round pick danny kristo and diaz for
Perry and someone else
I doubt the Ducks would want to trade an MVP winning star forward like Perry.
And we need at least one high-scoring top six winger before we even think about trying to build a contender. Rene Bourque does not fit the bill.
Both the trades mentioned above are pipe dreams… replace the 2nd rounder for a first rounder and you’d still have to replace the year 2013 for 2012… in all honesty come on guys stop drinking so early in the day..
Go Habs Go
Considering the fact that Danny Kristo has chosen not to sign with the Habs, is going back for his final year in College, and can be a UFA come next season, its not likely that he is a good pick.
Trading Plekanec away for anything but a pure goal scorer, an extremely better C there isn’t a chance the Habs deal him. Consider he played with 24 different line combinations and still managed the 4th most points on the team (behind the top scoring line they had Cole/Patchs and Desharnais), quarterbacked the top PK team in the WHOLE LEAGUE. Albeit he had the worst plus minus of his career, but playing with the characters he did, its no wonder it happened.
He and AK had their best season on the same line CONSISTENTLY with Kovalev. Had the coaching in Montreal paid attention to this instead of micro managing and switching lines up every 2nd or 3rd shift, I think you would have seen a more productive Plek and AK. Even AK with Eller and LL you witnessed chemistry and positive outcomes.
But trading away your BEST TWO WAY forward for a lazy D (when we have a full cupboard already) and a scorer, we aren’t getting much… no disrespect to Bobby Ryan, who’ll be a natural scorer for years, Montreal does not have someone to replace Plek and what he brings to this team.
Why is it that the biggest deals we make surrounds our goaltenders??
All that you just mentioned probably will only help to drive Pleks’s value up in the future, cause let’s face it, he won’t be this highly regarded for long, he’s basically a 3rd liner TO THE CORE who has been forced into a 1st/2nd line role for his whole pro carrear.
We need scoring, and pleks is the only peice on the team that would get us that kind of asset without hurting us in the long term.
what would you rater have, another crappy Montreal Canadiens team with a great Penalty Kill, OR a Montreal Canadiens team that, for the first time since the heady days of 2007-08 boasts TWO DOMMINANT SCORING LINES.
He is’nt getting any younger either, it’s time to make room for DD, Eller, LL, and whoever is drafted this year (hopefully Grigorenko/Galchenyuk)
I like Pleks but he is way overvalued by many on here, including you. The guy has only averaged 51 pts a year in every season he has been in the NHL. He had one year of 70 pts. Hog wash on his line combinations, he is always given top 6 minutes and is a top 9 player, that is the same thing that happend to Kostitsen and you rode him out of here – and Kostitsen was stuck with Gomez, which statistically killed him in 2010-11. Terrible plus minus for a defensive savior you annoint him to be and New Jersey had the best PK in the league, not the Habs. After we traded Gill away, the PK actually got worse too, check the numbers. I wouldn’t give too much credit to Pleks for the decent PK we had, when Gorges lead the league just about in blocked shots and Pleks had a horrific plus/minus.
No Pleks is not a terrible player but he makes plenty of money for his value which I think is overhyped by many.
First time in my life to watch an entire Nashville Predator game. Decent team but doesn’t resemble powerhouse past champions but does resemble boring New Jersey champs of the past. How quickly we dissociate. Not much reaction to Andrei K. scoring. Still remember the fantastic game he played scoring a hat-trick in the 2010 playoffs, 6-5 loss to Pittsburgh, one of about three off nights for Halak in those playoffs.
“May you live in interesting times.”
A, Kost got his playoff hat vs Washington not Pittsburgh. I believe it was a 6-5 OT loss to Washington in game 2 round 1, where Nicklas Backstrom also had a hat trick including OT winner, but the Habs would eventually win the series and then beat Pittsburgh in A great 2010 playoff run. I can not wait until the Habs are back where they belong and we are not resolved to watching Phoenix vs Nashville for our NHL springtime fix.
Thanks!
“May you live in interesting times.”
Nashville should throw a dead cat on the ice after they score.
would you trade Gomez for Marchand? Lol just kidding! One dollar bet it’s NY and PHX final
You are on…I got the Kings/Rangers for a buck
i would….
Go Habs Go
i would…. you cant let grudges get in the way of an intelligent hockey move
Go Habs Go
Interesting thought: How embarrassing would it be for the league if the Coyotes were to win the Cup, but they still couldn’t find a buyer for the team who didn’t want to move them out of Arizona?
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Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
Ray Whitney soon to be 40 years old (May 08) gets the OT Winner….
horrible D coverage,3 guys go to hanzel leaving whitney alone in front.
Weber dropped the ball!
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We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold……
I don’t like how the are winning, smells like a Bettman conspiracy to keep ‘em in Phoenix!
I agree Johnny B, I agree. We may be the same person, you and I.
Heh… 3 of their overtime winners so far have had a rotten goaltending smell all over them.
___________________________________________________
Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
Hmmm…. so Bettman is somehow playing in net for the OT periods… sneaky guy.
Impossible :
Mr Commissioner never touched a pair of skates in his life …
ALWAYS Habs -
D Mex
Sweet!
Whitney wins it! The ageless wonder.
Go Habs Go!
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Zep, Otter and Marc10 win a signed box of depends, or oops i crapped my pants from PJ Stock
Anyone see which NSH player iced it to set up the faceoff ?
ALWAYS Habs -
D Mex
Gomez.
___________________________________________________
Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
I got it right this time.
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“Bring it on home, Bring it on home to you…” – Plant/Page
Bring it on Home
Called it…….
Sergei! That’s not the System!!! Gotta admit I think a few of us are rootin for the Preds here.
Don’t, a Predators win will cost us in the draft, their 2nd rounder will fall.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Showey poitned that out before the playoffs, but i still took a bunch of Preds in my pool. They are a nice team to watch but you are right about their 2nd rounder we have!
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We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold……
IMO, Nashville uniforms,logo, color scheme, more like something you see in the Midget ranks,
Who is this basketball wannabe doing play by for NBC?
A “refusal” in the defensive zone?
The goaltender “said NO to that shot” surely there is better around.
Cube
Whitney
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“Bring it on home, Bring it on home to you…” – Plant/Page
Bring it on Home
Erat or Whitney
Called it!
What do I win?
I’ve got Shane Doan (Carey Price’s cousin) to score the OT winner.
Go Habs Go!
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AK46
Ray Whitney
Would love to see the Habs go back to classic white for home games, but the red looks good too
! Just no more of those centennial jerseys, like that blue-white Leafs one, and that Devils-green-red one…
I am picking Vermette for Phoenix
and i will go with Fisher for the Preds
Frankie Bouillon has to jump to target the head..
I also vote for the return of white home jerseys…and go back to the regular blue numbers (not 3D styling)
I’m in full agreement; the 3-tone numbers on the white jerseys need to go.
___________________________________________________
Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
All right Yotes, enough screwing around. You eliminate the Preds and you eliminate them now!
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
There you go. Let’s securitize our second-rounder. Good resiliency and competency, Yotes.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Whoa!3-3 in Glendale!
Looks like it only crossed the line after the whistle.
A little closure piece on Andrei Kostitsyn, and some ties that bind us together. The Preds and Habs have some serious work to do in the off season.
Buffalo really proved the benefit of holding onto an asset late during the trading deadline day as they were able to remove a 2012 first round pick for Paul Gaustad and a fourth round pick in 2012.
While Pierre Gauthier gave in earlier and Kotstitsyn was only able to bring us a second round pick. but that most probable ineptitude from Gauthier may turn out to be a bonus, as ironically 2013 is shaping up much like Andrei Kostitsyn’s stocked draft year of 2003.
Let us hope our new GM builds a team for years to come with the 2012 and 2013 draft years. Please no repeat of Kostitsyn’s 2003 year when our habs had a horrible draft day. The habs chose Andrei Kotstitsyn, with the likes of Jeff Carter, Dustin Brown, Brent Seabrook, Zach Parise, and Ryan Getlaf available within that projection range. Our 2nd round pick of Cory Urquhart was followed by Boston Bruins selecting from our backyard a few picks later Patrice Bergeron. In the 3rd round we selected Maxim Lapierre with St Louis taking with the very next pick David Backes.
Those two second round picks one in 2012 and one in 2013 could be the sleeper pick like Patrice Bergeron was for the Bruins. Now with a top 3 pick and 2 scound round picks in 2012 and all our picks intact plus a second rounder from Calgary and Nasville in a dream draft year of 2013, we have the ability to rebuild the Canadiens for once and for all.
The next GM must be a hockey man with great amateur talent evaluation and the ability to enhance our teams history and in doing so be an expert in pro player procurement. Let the interview process take us to the promise land. The interview process is what is supposed to weed out those who can not handle the job at hand, and give vision to the future and the promise of things to come, give the job to the final candidate that aces and scores the highest during the interview process , good luck Mr Molson
Preds big off season
A. Kotstitsyn UFA R. Suter UFA
S. Kotstitsyn RFA S. Weber RFA
A. Radulov RFA H. Gill UFA
P. Gaustad UFA F. Boullion UFA
B. Yip UFA
Canadiens Along with our new management team and our top 3 pick and remaining 2012 picks, yet I think bigger still will be the draft year of 2013 and draft pick acquisitions.
2013 Picks
1st round pick – Montréal
2nd round pick – Montréal
2nd round pick – Montréal (from Calgary – Cammalleri trade)
2nd round pick – Montréal (from Nashville – Kostitsyn trade)
3rd round pick – Montréal
4th round pick – Montréal
5th round pick – Montréal
6th round pick – Montréal
7th round pick – Montréal
I submit to you that the Canadiens waited too long to trade Andrei. In January, he was having his usual year, but then his production plummeted, along with his effort level and trade value. Darren Dreger, among others, stated quite clearly that there was no interest for his services around the league. Mr. Gauthier did well to get a 2nd rounder for him, from the only team who would have wanted him with his brother already on their roster.
I agree with your post, I’m happy that we’re stockpiling draft picks and prospects. I did disagree with everyone who howled at the 2013 2nd rounder for Andrei, since I also think like you that it will be a more valuable pick than a 2012 selection. I understand that normally you don’t want to go a whole year without that asset, but in that specific year with a deep draft, it’s a good thing.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
If you remember we traded Andrei Kostitsyn at 11am on deadline day and grabbed Brad Staubitz off waivers at noon (the claim time for all waivers players).
We were at the 50 contract limit. So if we waited til closer to the deadline to trade AK, we wouldn’t have had the contract space to pick up Staubitz on waivers.
The two moves were very much related.
Not sure if thats a defence of Gauthier though because Staubitz wasn’t worth the difference between a 2nd rounder and a 1st, but it does illuminate the thinking process here, and why he pulled the trigger when he did.
Go Habs Go!
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That’s a good point about the 50 contract limit, and how it gave the team the ability to pick up Brad Staubitz, but overall, I’m comfortable stating that there wouldn’t have been a rush to the Canadiens’ door to wrestle over Andrei Kostitsyn, had we waited until noon. The market was dead. We got as much as we could out of him. And I still say, with hindsight, that we should have traded him earlier. We would have got more for him at last year’s draft or in January.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
The reason Gaustad fetched a 1st rounder and Kostitsyn only a 2nd rounder has absolutely nothing to do with one trade going down a few hours before the other…
Gaustad was a hot commodity for playoff bound teams, and there were a few teams competing for his services, whereas only Nashville was interested in Kostitsyn.
A big, physical center, who is excellent on faceoffs and the penalty kill is much more valuable in the playoffs than a 20 goal/year winger who is known for his inconsistency and laziness.
Completely off topic, but I’ve been watching the NFL Draft, and I’m not banging my head on the wall in frustration at the Chargers’ picks. For a change, A.J. Smith didn’t try to show how smart he is by picking a player nobody had heard of and reaching way early for a project player or draft an ‘athlete’ who looks great and measure well but can’t play. Instead, he grabbed the best player available each time, character players over serial progenitors, and players from major colleges and team captains. Phew!
I can’t wait for the NHL draft now.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
I want more Coyotes goals. The Count is ready to howl:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m2gl51J6lo
***Subbang Baby!!!***
WTF!! Hal Gill with a Mohawk??
It’s something a few guys on the team are doing apparently.
Gill was interviewed yesterday – it’s a NSH D-Man thing.
Next was a clip of Weber, who decided to opt out because … it doesn’t look as good on him as it does on some other guys …
ALWAYS Habs -
D Mex
I expect Frankie B. to tie this game up early in the 3rd.
Boedker with another big goal.
This game is way better than most analysts thought it would be.
Go Habs Go!
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The Yotes have been a very well managed franchise (on the ice) since Wayne got the shaft.
Good balance. No obvious superstars. Lots of heart.
Nashville has the same attributes but with the big D boys. I’d favour Nashville on that basis, but Mike Smith is pulling a J-S Giguere.
AK!
There was only 3 former Habs on the ice for Nashville during that goal.
I think Jacques Martin is at the game, too.
I keep hearing howling in the stands.
That’s got to be the worst coyote howl imitation I’ve heard.
I still think it may be JM.
Remember, he’s known as “The Count”.
Hal Gill looking feisty out there tonight.
He’s had enough of a rest.
He appears to be faster on his skates as well.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Gill always seems to look better in the playoffs than the regular season.
Go Habs Go!
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Smart move by the staff in Phoenix, dressing all of those empty seats in white to make them less noticeable.
___________________________________________________
Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
That’s crazy. I thought it was just a dead crowd but you’re right. White towels or something with a red Coyote logo outline.
Now on the other hand the real people sure don’t do a whole lot apart from rhythmic clapping and polite applause after a good save.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
My nephew said he looked online and saw tix available at 5bucks each for tonights game in Phoenix. Now he is a Leaf fan, so anything he says must be tempered.
League didnt help much by scheduling game for A 6pm local start
It would seem to be a given that the local fan is a non-factor in the scheduling of PHX games.
The focus has to be on trying to generate some kind of TV audience in the USA and, of course, a Canadian audience is just assumed …
ALWAYS Habs -
D Mex
They had $20 tickets on StubHub earlier today.
___________________________________________________
Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
So the league is recouping about 1,200 bucks per playoff game?
Especially now that the Jets are back in the league, the Coyotes should no longer do the white wave. It has nothing to do with their franchise and their history, and it’s kind of idiotic now that the home team wears the dark jersey. It looks like the crowd is on Nashville’s side.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
First thing I said when game started. Was with my brother in law at start of game, he was a Jet season ticket holder for most of their initial NHL existence, he too was outraged.
Perhaps they could all dress as Cacti’s, and thus prickle the opposition.
I kinda miss the days when the Canadiens wore white at the Forum, to reflect the purity of their hearts and their quest. With the new study that showed that dark-jerseyed teams draw more penalties, we’ll see if teams revert back to this practice.
At the very least, it should be the final nail in the coffin of every team wanting to look like the (gag!) Raiders.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
I hope the Preds lose. Higher 2nd round pick for us.
Go Habs Go!
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I know, it kills me that they didn’t lose in the first round, our pick just got about eight spots lower down the ladder.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Draft pick order only changes if they make the final four. Winning the first round doesn’t hurt us, if they lose to Phoenix.
If they win this round though… its a big jump.
Go Habs Go!
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Cool, didn’t know that, I thought the process was the same as the NFL. I was rooting for the Red Wings for nothing.
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHL_Entry_Draft:
” Whichever team wins the Stanley Cup is awarded the 30th and last pick, while the runner-up is given the 29th pick. The teams eliminated in the conference finals are awarded the 28th and 27th picks, with the 28th pick going to the team with the better regular season record. Remaining division winners, then the rest of the field are ranked next, filling in the 26th through 15th picks. In both cases, better records result in later picks.”
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Lots of controversy over who the next Canadiens GM should be, and even on how the search is being conducted. Some claim it’s too secret, or that it’s taking too long, or that the wrong candidates are being interviewed.
One lightning rod of criticism has been NBC analyst Pierre McGuire and his fitness to assume the role. A lot of fans endorse his bona fides, many seemingly positively influenced by his work on TSN 990. Those who don’t listen to this station, obviously including a great majority of francophone fans, are puzzled by the enthusiasm for his candidacy.
Most of the debate revolves around his qualifications, with boosters touting his reputed encyclopedic knowledge of hockey, while detractors point out his lack of experience in management, his being passed over for similar positions for almost two decades now, as well as the poor impression he made when he filled the GM role in Hartford.
I think an important qualification required of a successful candidate is being overlooked, and that is leadership ability. The next GM will be the man who will set the tone for the organization, and represent the team to the rest of the league as well as its fans.
Long gone are the days when the GM was almost a one-man band, à la Punch Imlach or Sam Pollock. The league is too complex, there is too much data to process for any one man. Our management can no longer be a wizard, it needs to be a strong team of capable men, led by an accomplished, confident person. If anything, the previous régime, with Pierre Gauthier having centralized decision-making and keeping most of the team functions for himself, shows that this may be a recipe for disaster. The new wave seems to be to have a GM lead a front office filled with bright people and to harness the cumulative brain power to make the best decisions possible, as emulated by Steve Yzerman’s team in Tampa Bay, for example.
Another important component of the job the GM will fulfill is to represent the team to its players and prospects, as well as to the rest of the league. Mr. Gauthier, it is now finally clear, failed miserably in this respect. He was reportedly loathed in the locker room, and feared for his capriciousness more than respected for his personality and his accomplishments. He lacked important qualities in a modern leader, such as warmth and empathy and generosity, as demonstrated by the Ottawa cookie incident and the way Mike Cammalleri was traded and how he was refused his request to keep his jersey as a souvenir.
Our next GM needs to have a forceful, imposing personality, one who commands attention and respect by his personal attributes and his accomplishments. The Canadiens were a force in the league on the ice and in the boardrooms when Sam Pollock and Serge Savard were at the helm. They were not when Irving Grundman and Réjean Houle were, two men with meek personalities who would not be a team captain as a player or even for a college term project. We thought Bob Gainey would rectify this situation, and he may well have despite the Scott Gomez trade, but events in his personal life overtook him and his legacy has been tarnished, and not only by his successor.
In any case, the next incumbent needs to be able to affect league decisions the next time one of his players is the target of an assassination attempt, or be an agent for positive change when league rules are being discussed at a GM meeting, or negotiate from a position of strength when he negotiates with a free agent’s representative or another GM for a trade. He needs to have the bearing that a Serge Savard brought to the role, and a Réjean Houle did not.
So our criteria for selection must include these components of leadership. The candidate must have shown that they can work in a management hierarchy, accept responsibility and deliver results, and show capacity to grow and develop. They must be able to develop and nurture personal relationships and be a part of a productive, successful team. They must command respect when they enter a room and when they speak.
The selection committee will determine who of the remaining candidates best embodies all these qualities, but again, when I think of Mr. McGuire, I don’t see him possessing these. He could very well function as a lieutenant, but he does not have the requirements to be at the wheel of the good ship Canadiens.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Nice read, thanks Normand.
Excellent post.
Having said all that, what individual do YOU feel meets the criteria to be hired as Habs GM?
Reading between the lines, sounds like he is endorsing Don Cherry
Before Bob Berry was hired, there was a near-consensus among the listeners of “Les Amateurs de Sport” call-in show on CKAC that the next coach should be a committee of Charles Thiffault for the technical aspects of coaching and Don Cherry to “motivate the guys”. Mr. Thiffault was one of the University coaches who were in vogue back then, with Soviet hockey having shown that the NHL was a load of crap, and Jean Perron was one of these guys who eventually did get hired by the Canadiens, to the horror of Larry Robinson, among others.
Anyway, no one at the time would go into details as to how these two co-coaches were going to run the team or co-exist without strangling each other.
When Bob Berry was hired, I remember it had all the allure of a wet skunk at a wedding. Nobody had heard of the guy. I learned then to not trust common wisdom or call-in shows.
HIO is the bomb though.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
I’m on the record as wanting Julien Brisebois as the next GM, everything I read about him shows that he fills the bill. He’s well respected and liked everywhere he’s worked and by other organizations.
I haven’t learned/read enough of Marc Bergevin, Claude Loiselle, Blair Mackasey, François Giguère to think they are clearly superior to Mr. BriseBois. His previous experience with the Canadiens organization is also a real trump card in my view.
Having said that, I’m realistic enough to understand that the selection committee will be in the best position to assess who the best person is. I will defer to their decision. Unless…
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
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Marc Bergevin is your new frontrunner if you’re to believe this evaluation from Stephane Waite, the Hawks’ goalie coach.
http://www.985sports.ca/hockey/nouvelles/c-est-un-evaluateur-de-talent-incroyable-steph-140916.html
«C’est un évaluateur de talent incroyable. Il connaît tous les joueurs de la LNH par cœur. Tu lui nommes un joueur que tu n’as jamais entendu parler et il peut tout te raconter sur lui : comment il pèse, d’où il vient, quel sort de joueur il est. Il sait ce que ça prend pour jouer dans la LNH, il a joué 20 ans. Mais sa grosse qualité, c’est qu’il a tellement de contacts dans la Ligue nationale. Il connaît tout le monde. C’est incroyable, on va partout dans la Ligue et il connaît tout le monde. Il fait toute une job ici depuis cinq ou six ans», a indiqué Stéphane Waite en entrevue avec Mario Langlois dans le cadre de l’émission Les Amateurs de Sports Week-end qui sera diffusée samedi à 18h30 sur les ondes du 98,5 FM.
Loose translation: He knows every player in the League like the back of his hand (even guys you’ve never heard of) and he knows everybody in the League.
Oh yeah… and he’s a franco. I’ll put my money on this guy even though Julien Brisebois is a gem and I’d love for him to return to the fold.
Thanks for the link and info.
Good info on Mr. Bergevin. I’ve only read blurbs on the others, do you have any intel on the other guys?
Yeah, it’s great that there are so many young talented candidates for the job, I think I’d be happy with any sane (read: non-showbiz) candidate.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Interview with Marc Bergevin (if you haven’t seen it)
http://www.rds.ca/zone-video/#cat=recherche&videoID=108342&rel=107357
Thanks.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Serge Savard 2.0 by the sounds of it (that is before Savard lost the plot and traded away some of his best players for inadequate return.
Mr. Savard obviously wasn’t perfect, but he was very good.
We don’t have a 2.0 though, a player who spent the vast majority of his career as a Canadiens and distinguished himself as a Cup-winning captain and All-Star and Hall of Famer, and a man who impresses all with his bearing and personality and has also been successful in endeavours outside of hockey.
I do advocate that we draw from our family for our talent, so repatriating the Vincent Damphousses, Bobby Smiths and Saku Koivus for our management team is a no-brainer in my book.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Nice, but no mention of a “she”.
I’m usually pretty careful to be gender neutral in my personal and professional life, but when referring to the NHL, it’s not something I pay attention to. I did read the post about Ms. Botterill, but I don’t think it’s realistic to consider her as a GM candidate. I have no problems with her filling a role on the management team though, and if she proves herself and climbs the ladder I would have no qualms about reconsidering her for a future position.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
No worries, just being a pest.
hockey is a man’s world
Haven’t I suffered enough at the hands of Brad Marchand? Why do you want to pile on?
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
More Bergevin to make up for your suffering. haha
http://www.rds.ca/zone-video/#cat=recherche&videoID=108237&input=bergevin
Some good stuff – check other links on page.
Let’s go Smitty!The pride of Verona Ontario!
Reluctancy? Not sure that’s a word, Darren Pang.
Edit: Looks like it’s much less commonly used than ‘reluctance’ (the word I’d rather use), but reluctancy is accepted. Whatever you like DP!
Reluctancy, resiliency, competency… Everyone seems to be adding a ‘y’ to words ending in a ‘ence’, it’s only a matter of time before we refer to a sentency instead of a sentence.
It’s part of the unfortunate buzzword jargon gobbledygook that hockey analysts speak, with invented words like ‘impactful’ and misused words like ‘reactionary’, and pretend technical terms like “activating the defence”, instead of just saying that the defenceman went to the net to try to score.
In this case, I guess they think that adding a syllable to a perfectly good word makes it better, more cromulent.
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How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Looks like Habs 2.0 the Rinne version vs Phoenix tonight. Go Yotes!
Habs 2.0 vs. Bettman’s failed experiment?
Tough choice.
Just got home. Ouch, Halifax is getting pumped by Rimouski.
Anyone watching?
Is it as bad as the score says?
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/category/lastwordblog/nhldraft/
Yep.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
I was out at a concert last night. They ended their performance with this ditty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIiXE_TQ8w
SOB…fell for it again!
Never gets old!!!
Heh, you got that right. I figured you were either in a bar or at the game, or both, when you didn’t comment here.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
When I read the words “Doug Risebrough”, I invariably have an image of a boy, breaking in with Tremblay and Lambert, face as innocent as the day is young but is truly un garçon méchant.
Therefore, the man in the photo at the top of this story cannot be Doug Risebrough.
Please change the caption.
He’s still as fuzzy-cheeked as the day he joined the NHL. He had his photo aged using one of those FBI programs, to give himself more gravitas (what’s that in French?).
For all you Mackinnon ,Drouin fans. They are on Sportsnet now.
Sure, seeing the Bruins get ousted was sweet to behold but the euphoria has worn off and I’m back to being down in the dumps. You can hear the deep despair I’m feeling in this mournful tune me and boys just whipped up together:
In constant sorrow all through his days
I am a fan of constant sorrow
I still yearn for brighter days
When the Habs still made the playoffs
And at the end, the Cup they’d raise
And at the end, the Cup they’d raise
[Instrumental]
For 19 years I have been troubled
Not many thrills here on earth I’ve found
Was two years back I well remember
The Habs fought into the third round
His Habs fought into the third round
[Instrumental]
It’s fare thee well, expectations
All my hopes have withered dry
A smile I could manage if the team
Does really well when it drafts high
(And tells Gomez, so long, goodbye)
[Instrumental]
You can bury me in an oak casket
With a CH along each side
Two hockey sticks as the handles
And in my hands a media guide
And in his hands a media guide
[Instrumental]
When the day comes I leave this mortal coil
To make my home high above the cloud
On the pearly gate it will be written:
This is Heaven, no Bruins allowed
God will tell ‘em to go to Hell
Song to this tune I presume.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08e9k-c91E8
That would be the right song. I had a link to a live performance. But the new intern … I like both versions [I often feel that way about the truth as well]
Oh, brother!
***Subbang Baby!!!***
Oh, sister!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZvpHwoQfqk&feature=related
Well, thanks, then, if that’s the way you feel
Whattttttttttt!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13cv2ywIBrM&feature=relmfu
Just to be clear, Habf’, are you saying you’re a bum with class? Is that your contention?
[Hey, I don't have a problem with that. To each his own ... bum]
A pleasant a**hole is usually how I describe myself
So who is this guy Adam Henrique. I tuned in to the NJ-FLA game last nigh around the middle of the 2nd period and couldnt take my eyes off him.
I know it may sound like 20-20 but when they were picking overtime hero I said wow.. dont think anyone of the panelists picked him.
Unfortunately I was watching from bed and plain just fell asleep around middle of 1st overtime. Only found out result this AM.
Guy stops and turns on a dime.. skates as smoothly as Lafleur. WOW!
I gotta go check his career stats.
Oh by the way… no comment re certain vacancy and certain candidate.
Henrique was a clutch player as the 2nd line centre in Windsor, on the two Memorial Cup years.
I think he was at over a 1 goal per game pace in the playoffs on the second Mem Cup team.
That Windsor team was pretty awesome, Hall, Henrique, Fowler, Ellis, Nemisz, Timmins, and I’m probably forgetting a bunch.
Henrique’s awesome, and can play a great two way game too. One of those kids who really took off after his draft year and showed great progression.
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/category/lastwordblog/nhldraft/
Thanks… he looked so smooth last night.
Today’s quandary: Your cruise ship sinks and you have to swim through shark-infested waters to get to a lifeboat. You haul yourself in only to discover you’re surrounded by Marchand, Lucic, Chara, Thomas, Carcillo, Torres, and Lapierre (and they’re all wearing dresses for some reason).
What do you do:
1.) Jump over the side in search of better company?
2.) Jump over the side but grab one of the ‘ladies’ to introduce to your new friends?
3.) Toss a bar of soap in the middle of the boat and wave good-bye as they scramble overboard?
4.) Lead the group in a rousing rendition of the Love Boat theme?
5.) Convince your boatmates to use Lapierre’s motor-mouth for propulsion, Marchand’s nose as a rudder and Chara as a kayak paddle to give the other four something to do?
How did I get on a cruise ship with those critters to begin with!
They were the ship’s staff. Sheeesh!
What quandary?
On second though I’m not sure who’s mind a fear most.
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I fear the way your mind works JB.
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John you had the solution without knowing it. Soap!
It is a proven scientific fact that sharks are revulsed by the smell of soap. They will recoil from the smell.
Lather yourself all over. Put the rest of the soap in your pockets and jump overboard.
Your companions, hardly known for brain power, would observe the sharks REEL away from you.
They would think “wow those sharks have no truculence.. no pushback” and jump overboard and their foulness will be their doom as the sharks swarm to them.
Meanwhile you climb back into the boat, sweet smelling of soap, and row to shore where you are taken in by giggling native polynesian girls.
Stereotypical yes… but all polynesian girls do giggle.
Ivory soap is best.
You’re absolutely certain about the soap? Cuz I don’t wanna be no Bruin bait and prove the exception to the rule. It’d be worth it, though, if the part about the Polynesian nymphs is true. But why is it whenever the young ladies see me, they start to giggle?
“why is it whenever the young ladies see me, they start to giggle?”
John you know me .. I am of those kinda people who hide the nasty LITTLE truths from friends.
And yeah the US military proved the soap bit.
Well, at least the nasty little truths get writ large the way you tell it.
So Malkin, Stamkos and Lundqvist for the Hart. Me thinks the Russian wins.
I’d be surprised if he didn’t.
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Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
RDS is going a little bananas over any little thing concerning Patrick Roy. I mean theyre worth mentions yes, but not in depth analysis.
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
Gomez….. Im hoping he’ll be gone, but have a feeling we’re stuck with him until his contract ends. Management won’t bury him, and nobody wants his overrated derriere. But here’s hoping that Im wrong..
if you follow the thoroughness of the habs in their search for the GM, you have to believe there is a new mindset. Excellence is required.
Gomez is GONE!
Is it just me or does the picture of Risebrough make him look a bit like PG? Scary thought I recognize.
Nah! He is obviously a carnivorous hockey man who likes his meat raw and his beer cold!
Besides that… think it is the white hair and gray suit.
I was thinking he looked more like a Sutter…
Not gaunt enough for PG…
lol. He has the PG puss. Please auto correct leave that word alone. I beg of you.
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I’m not auto correct and frankly…can I be frank Jim. May I please call you Jim? Frankly JIM, I’m very disappointed in your “PG puss” http://www.ratedpgrollergirls.com/ …very very disappointed!!!!!!!!!!
And you give me grief for the links I post!
It is amazing the places that Google will take you
What? No ratedxxxrollergirls.com?
___________________________________________________
Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
Once again I open a link you provided with my eyes closed.
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Heh! I gave you enough warning
Run hard, run fast!!
@commandant
“There are many possible reasons why there is less talent in the league from Quebec, and many theories.”
Check out Hockey Canada and it’s Program of Hockey Excellence for one of the main reasons.
The program of excellence has worked well in 9 provinces.
Unfortunately, Hockey Quebec was the one province who took the longest amount of time implementing the recommended changes made at the 1999 Canada hockey summit.
Is this the cause? Maybe, again I don’t know… its but one of the theories.
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/category/lastwordblog/nhldraft/
The lack of full-contact hockey in Quebec until the Bantam age is also a factor.
More Europeons/Maritimers/Americans in The NHL have helped reduce the amount of Quebecers in The NHL & pro hockey……
It isn’t just heritage. Hockey Canada officials consistently ignore players who aren’t of a standard size. Fortunately for them GTHL management isn’t so near sighted.
This may up the value for Roberto Luongo. http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/27/bruins-gm-not-inclined-to-trade-tim-thomas/
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The same Bruins GM who said before last year’s playoffs that Claude Julien’s job was safe and then after winning the Stanley Cup said that Julien would have been fired had the Bruins been eliminated in the first or second round?
Tim Thomas is done as a Bruin.
With nearly 60 millions already commited to players for next season, something’s gotta give.
Don Maloney – “We will not trade Kyle Turris”
Brian Burke – “I’ve never asked Tomas Kaberle to waive his NTC”
Mike Gillis – “Cody Hodgson didn’t ask for a trade”
Mike Gillis – “Roberto Luongo didn’t ask for a trade”
These guys lose every ounce of leverage when they admit they need to trade a player or are looking to.
Yup, it would be possible for him to keep both Rask and Thomas, but it does not seem likely.
Chiarelli has a tremendous advantage in that Thomas is in his late thirties. If he were even five years younger he wouldn’t be able to trade him. Following a Cup victory and considering Thomas is entering his final couple of years in the league, he has to make a deal.
@Tom. The only thing I might add is Rask may be seen as a bit of a loose cannon. Could he be the one moved?
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If they were going to move Rask I have to imagine they would have done it last off-season.
Hard to be more of a loose cannon than Tim Thomas too.
Well I guess that blows my theory outta the water.
Well maybe not. Seems the consensus here is that GM’s don’t always speak the truth. Shocking.
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Gotta remind some people we had so much talent this year – we finished 28th – no need for changes I guess – must be coaching.
Geez fan can’t recall one post on here from anyone who didn’t believe changes need to be made and new players brought in. I’m guessing the debate concerns the quality and quantity of talent that currently exist. I realize we finished 28th but the cupboard isn’t completely bare, no?
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Ok, here’s my theory/prediction for the day. Some people like Darren Dreger and others are speculating Bobby Lou maybe headed to TO to help their goalie woes. I think that Burke will go after Timmy the Tuna from Boston. Some are speculating that Boston is ready to part ways with Timmy to give the reins to Rask. So, I think Chiarelli and Burkie will work out a trade for Thomas. What Burkie gives up for him, is anybodys guess. Maybe Schenn or Komiserek, or maybe Kahdri? Anyhoo, just my thoughts on the matter.
There will be some bidding for his services. I have a feeling if he lands in Toronto Mr. Burke will have to over pay. He very well may do so as some believe he’s now on the clock.
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Ah dam, are you saying that Burke wil give the Bruins even more prospects to work with?
In a few years, the Bruins should credit there team to Burke!
I dont really care if he does but Burke will be leting the Bruins pick his pockets again if he gives up on Kadri for Thomas.