Former Canadien Chris Nilan will have his own show on Montreal’s TSN Radio 690 beginning Monday, March 18.
Off The Cuff With Chris Nilan will air weekdays from 1-3 p.m., with Nilan also joining host Tony Marinaro on The Intermission from noon until 1 p.m.
“There is no other team I’d rather talk about and no other city I’d rather live in,” Nilan, who was a guest on the first Hockey Inside/Out show, said in a news release. “I’m honoured to join the home of the Montreal Canadiens and work with the same passionate Habs fans that welcomed me with open arms during my hockey career.”
Said Mitch Melnick, host of Melnick In The Afternoon on TSN Radio 690: “When Chris made it clear he wanted to pursue a career in broadcasting we made no promises. What we did do was open a door so he could reconnect to the city he loves and to the many fans who love him. To his credit, Chris has kicked that door down.”
Nilan spent 13 seasons in the NHL, including 10 with the Canadiens. He holds the franchise record for most career penalty minutes (2,670), but also scored in double figures three times in his career, including a 21-goal season in 1984-85 and 19 in 1985-86 when the Habs won the Stanley Cup.
Below is a feature story The Gazette’s Brenda Branswell wrote about Nilan when the documentary The Last Gladiators, focusing on his life, had its Montreal premiere last October. The film was released Tuesday on DVD.
(Photo by Allen McInnis/The Gazette)
Documentary brought Nilan to tears
PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON OCT. 25, 2012
BRENDA BRANSWELL
THE GAZETTE
In the opening sequence of The Last Gladiators the only things visible on the black screen are Chris Nilan’s hands.
He points out past wounds from hockey fights: Teeth in his hand, a shattered knuckle, the spot where his finger was almost bitten off.
The documentary film about hockey enforcers features interviews with former National Hockey League tough guys about the role. There are clips from Marty McSorley, Tony Twist and the late Bob Probert, among others.
But the main focus is Nilan, who racked up more than 3,500 penalty minutes in his 13 years in the NHL and earned the nickname Knuckles.
Through interviews with Nilan, his family and childhood friends – along with former teammates and hockey writers – the film looks at his career, his slide into drug addiction after he retired and subsequent recovery.
Nilan was in tears when he first saw the documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011.
“It was tough for me to watch,” he said.
The focus on Nilan was because he was such an interesting character and “so exceedingly honest about himself, the league, everything,” said Alex Gibney, the director.
“And that made him just extraordinarily compelling.”
In the documentary, retired enforcer Todd Ewen, who played for the Habs in the early 1990s, described himself as a “regretful tough guy.”
“I loved the game of hockey and I didn’t like my role,” Ewen said.
Nilan said in an interview this week that he loved to fight, but didn’t grow up longing to be a fighter.
“I grew up with dreams of being Bobby Orr.”
When it became evident that wasn’t going to happen, Nilan said: “The fighting avenue opened up an opportunity to become a hockey player and that to me was key.”
Fighting was easy for Nilan. The hard part was becoming a hockey player, the guy who plays every shift with his line and can be relied on to play in different situations.
“I achieved those goals,” Nilan said. “And that to me, that’s the thing I’m most proud of.”
Nilan spent 10 seasons with the Canadiens and in three consecutive seasons in the mid-’80s scored 16, 21 and 19 goals, respectively.
He feels indebted to the Canadiens for not limiting him to one role.
“They weren’t satisfied with me just being a fighter- and that started from Day 1,” Nilan said. “(Former coach) Claude Ruel worked with me day in and day out. I loved the man. I mean, I absolutely love Claude Ruel.”
Others helped Nilan when he was with the Habs, like former coach Jacques Lemaire who told Nilan he fought too much.
“I almost didn’t trust him when he told me that,” recalled Nilan, because he grew up watching the Bruins in Boston and “once a guy stopped fighting he was out the door.”
“So if anything, like I said in the film, I kicked it up a notch.”
In the film, Nilan, who underwent 26 different surgeries over the years, talks about his struggles after he retired. He ended up taking painkillers, which helped in the short term, “but once I got addicted to them, I was a slave to it.”
He went into treatment for a few months, but began drinking again, and eventually starting taking pills again and shooting heroin.
After a bad car accident in which he narrowly missed an 18-wheeler, “I said I got to try and kick this stuff,” Nilan recounts in the film. He went into treatment again.
The most moving moments occur when Nilan and his father, Henry, a former Green Beret in the U.S. army, get emotional on screen. He was with his dad when the elder Nilan watched the film for the first time and was dying to see his response.
“And afterward he said to me: ‘Geez, I wish I was able to get the questions ahead of time.’”
Nilan believes it bothered his father in a sense that it comes out in the film that he was ashamed of his son. But Nilan sounds like he took it in stride. “If that’s his true feelings and that’s how he felt, then c’mon, that’s what it is,” Nilan said. “And that’s okay.
“It was hard for me to watch, but it’s okay because those were his feelings and he expressed them.
“They’re so happy I’m sober and clean,” he said of his parents. “It was hard on my family.
“My dad didn’t understand a lot of it. Listen, if I had cancer, if I had that disease, I think my father would have been so sympathetic to me.”
But Nilan’s affliction happened to be the disease of addiction, he added, and people look at that as self-induced.
Nilan said he strongly believes he would have had the same problem had he been a lawyer, a mailman or worked on the back of a garbage truck.
When he was approached for the film, Nilan had just come out of drug and alcohol treatment.
He believes many people identify with and like enforcers.
“But I don’t know if they really know what each and every guy goes through to fulfil that role that he has, which I believe is the most difficult role in sports,” he said.
“I hope people see just how tough it is for the guys to have played that role.”
He also believes the film will give people a sense of hope.
“No matter how bad things get in our lives, there’s al-ways something deep down inside us that we can tap into that will allow us to get back on our feet and change our lives.”
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New Thread alert.
Good article about Subban by Arpon Basu.
Subban certainly has had some maturity issues. What I’m sure didn’t help was Randy Ladouceur screaming at every mistake in practice. With the regular attendance in Brossard that has to be a humbling experience for every player but can also turn a player off.
This is the mentality of the new age hockey player. Don’t scream at them, don’t humiliate them. Speak to them in a rational and direct way and you’ll get results more often than not.
The guys who haven’t realized this are for the most part not coaching in the NHL anymore. The guys who have realized it(Hitchcock, Sutter and Therrien) have remade themselves because of this understanding and have enjoyed great success so far because of it.
Good for Therrien and his staff and good for Subban.
Someone mentioned Bogosian as a potential rental… what’s with folks thinking the Jets would trade him? Not gonna happen. He might be the best D in Winnipeg.
Frankly he’d absolutely be #2 on the Habs after Subban (with apologies to #79).
“thoroughbred”
It was me(not as a rental) but he’s been reportedly unhappy with the team for three years.
He is far from untouchable. And Tobias Enstrom is their best defenseman.
I agree, but just for fun, let’s start a rumour! Pleks, DD, Gorges, Holland, and Weber for Kane and Bogosian.
Habfan17
Jason Gregor @JasonGregor
Oilers have put Ben Eager on waivers…. #NHL
HABS4LIFE!! Hi guys! just heard that Blake Geoffrion announced his retirement today. Any truth or any other news on this??
Elliot Friedman reported on twitter. No official announcement I’m aware of.
Rule #76: No Excuses, Play Like a Champion!
@Hstands4Hockey
Lots of Twitter tweetings.
HABS4LIFE!! That’s a shame a career has to end like that!
Not sure if posted. Subban getting props from his coach and teammates.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=659780&navid=DL
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Basu is great – follow him on twitter if you don’t already.
Rule #76: No Excuses, Play Like a Champion!
@Hstands4Hockey
Stubbs saying Sens may start Lehner tonight? Why would they? Wasn’t Bishop the hot goalie Habs lost the game to? I mean, if you believe that kind of thing.
Simply, Lehnar is a better goaltender.
Rule #76: No Excuses, Play Like a Champion!
@Hstands4Hockey
They will start Bishop tonight.
Lehnar starting as per Bruce Garrioch of the Ottaw Sun.
Rule #76: No Excuses, Play Like a Champion!
@Hstands4Hockey
Ok, time for a new article maybe?
3PM, Timo.
Good idea.
We can call new article:Leafs Tragic Number.
Number of Leaf losses/opposing team wins which will officially eliminate the Laffs from playoff contention.
They are obviously getting nervous. I hear they called up a statistician from the Marlies…
ttt
Blake Geoffrion retiring…so sad. Was so excited when he was acquired. I guess bad luck follows in the family. All the best to him.
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Sad news, feel really bad for the kid.
Man, I was at the game.
Two things:
(a) I don’t know why he didn’t see Coté coming.
(2) It was a spectacular-looking hit, but I didn’t think it was that serious at the time. Must’ve been his head off the ice.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
He was the best player in Hamilton by far this year. Surely would have been playing with the Habs this year. A shame.
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
He had size and was playing really well to begin the year. A shame for the organization, but more importantly for Blake personally. Must be tough right now for him. Hope all the best to him in the future.
Sad to hear. A few of us here met/saw Blake at the mini-summit in Hamilton. He was leaving the arena after the game. Sad to see such a nice young man have his career cut short.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
As Chrisadiens said a few of us got a chance to meet Blake. He was very considerate and shared his time. I hope he has a rich meaningful life. Healthy as well. CHeers Blake.
Heart goes out today to a friend of all of ours, Bripro. Brian laid his dog Maggie to rest yesterday, I am sure I speak for all of us dog people here that we wish he and his family the best.
Condolences, Brian. Can imagine how you feel. Hope there is a doggie heaven.
RIP Maggie!
I had a Golden named Maggie as well.
Sorry for your loss Bripro!!!!
Is that you Paul?
Negative, seems like a few people had a Golden named Maggie
.
Oh no…
Thinkin’ of you, Bri.
I had a Maggie too. Golden Retriever.
Very very sad when she left us.
My dad hasn’t wanted to get another dog since her because it’s too hard when they go!!
I’m sure you had great times with her.
Take care.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
My condolences Bripro!
____________________
DOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
Condolences, Bri.
They are our best friends and ask nothing in return.
Sorry about your loss,Brian.
Laid my dog to rest five years ago and still not able to get another one. Condolences.
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Sorry for your loss Bri. Thoughts are with you.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
My condolences, Bri.
Our pets are like family. It always hurts to say goodbye.
———————————————————————-
Ka is a wheel.
For Your Life
Such sad news Brian. Losing a companion hurts regardless of the number of legs. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. CHeers my friend.
If there’s an afterlife, she’ll be waiting for you there, Bripro.
Ive had to say goodbye to my best friend a few times Bri, It Always hurts. Take comfort in the fact that she knows you were always there for her as she was for you. All the best Amigo.
My condolences as well Bri. I went through the same thing not too long ago.
So sorry to hear this. My sincerest condolences.
While it’s likely too early to consider, the best way to honour Maggie is to go out and find another. Give a homeless dog a comfy bed, a full belly and a good scratch behind the ears and he/she will be a friend for life.
***SUBBANGIN’ NOW BABY!!!***
Elliot Friedman reporting that Blake Geoffrion is going to retire.
Poor kid, what an awful way for his career to end.
That IS a tough break.
But it’s probably for the best.
Nothing is more important than one’s health.
As Ian might say, true dat.
After that incident, no wonder. Best of luck and health to him.
John Buccigross @Buccigross
“I love the game of hockey more than anything and this decision tears me up inside,” Geoffrion says, “but we are talking about my brain.”
so Ottawa does what Habs should have done – and picks up Kassian for basically nothing. Now who’s realistically left – if Habs wanted to address their need for a true HW. Seems like MB is not going to go that route – because if he was, he would have already. Maybe he’s waiting for Gallagher to get concussed before he makes a move – since Diaz and Bourque being knocked out by some goon was apparently not enough.
He was on waivers last week and they gave up a draft pick for him
= stupid
You need a roster spot available to pick someone upn on waivers, otherwise someone else ends up on waivers or sent down. I think Ottawa’s kids have been playing well so spending them down was probably not an option. Better to give up a 6th rounder than to lose someone else on waivers.
If the move were to add a player with any kind of skill I would agree. But it says quite a lot about an organization when they’re willing to give up a draft pick for a 5 minute per night fighter.
Reactionary move.
I was wondering whether there was a techical reason for this? Maybe someone knows. Bryan Murray is usually pretty astute…
Gallagher has already had a concussion this year.
Clearly MB is an idiot and needs to be fired immediately.
If we only had a goon, we’d be in ____ place.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
You do realize this wasn’t Zack Kassian?
Rule #76: No Excuses, Play Like a Champion!
@Hstands4Hockey
I think the real question… is what would it take to pry Zach Kassian out of Vancouver?! It would have to be equivalent with a Cody Hodgson obviously…
Lars Eller or Brian Gallagher.
“thoroughbred”
I had to re-read your post after thinking it was my own. We have the same tag-line! Weird.
——–
Wedding Crashers Rule #71: No excuses. Play like a champion!
Haha nice. It’s 76 in the movie – but I’ve seen all sorts of different versions of the Rule #s on merchandise. I’ve worn 76 as my hockey # for years and always wondered if it has any link to PK’s choice for 76.
Rule #76: No Excuses, Play Like a Champion!
@Hstands4Hockey
6th round pick is not nothing to Trevor Timmins.
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
I can’t BELIEVE we didn’t get a talentless fighter who can play no more than 6 minutes per game and spends those six minutes getting brain-dead penalties!!
We reeeaaallly missed the boat on that one…
—Hope Springs Eternal—
pretty much all the “experts” think the Habs need to add toughness to this line-up, and I agree. a 6th round pick so Prust doesn’t have to deal with the goons we often play is a sound investment. Reminder Bourque and Diaz out with concussions.
Patrice Bergeron, Nathan Horton, and Marc Savard have all suffered serious concussions in recent years… playing for arguably the toughest team in the league.
Also who are pretty much “all the experts”
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
Mr. Bergevin doesn’t want a rental.
Okay.
How bout any of…..
Cory Sarich
Stephane Robidas
Zach Bogosian
Mark Stuart
I wouldn’t mind Bogosian out of those 4.
Bogosian played a real nice game last night for the Jets.
Yeah he’s a big body and can be nasty in front of the net. Sorta seems like an impatient acquisition though because Tinordi will be able to do that when he’s ready. I’d only do that if we didn’t have to give up too much.
Bogosian would immediately be our third best defenseman.
Behind Emelin and Subban?
Markov and Subban bud.
Honestly, I would disagree. Been liking Emelin a whole lot more and he adds a dimension of hitting that the only other one who comes close is Subban. IMO much more valuable.
I’d also like LeTang, Weber and Keith but it aint happening.
Rule #76: No Excuses, Play Like a Champion!
@Hstands4Hockey
why would the jets trade BOGO?
Not sure if it’s accurate or not but reports have been rampant for three years that he’s unhappy with the organization.
He’s a pending RFA and if they don’t feel they can get him signed at a reasonable price they could move him.
I’d hardly consider him untouchable as well.
Also, if they think they’re going anywhere they’re kidding themselves. Bad hockey team.
Even if it were true, they wuld want an equivalent return for him. If Bergevin could trade Gorges and LeBlanc to get him, then it makes sense. I doubt that would be enough for the Jets
Habfan17
It’s just hypothetical talk , these aren’t rumours lol
Like Robidas but don’t think he’s available as he has another year left at a good cap hit. Same for Stuart. Bogosian would have to give up a lot. Sarich makes sense as Boullion would still stay in the lineup. I don’t think MT wants to take Frankie out of the lineup.
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Did anyone else watch Pascal Dupuis lay into Chara and Lucic last night? Toughness can come in different packages. Dupuis showed no fear and rocked Boston last night. 90 seconds later they scored two goals in 51 seconds…
So we often talk about adding a one-dimensional tough guy to the lineup to keep opposing goons in line. I’m not sure I agree — goons aren’t afraid of goons — but I do think some more toughness would be great.
Can you guys think of some tough-as-nails players that could play decent bottom-six minutes, kill penalties and be available for a reasonable price? I’m thinking a better all-round version of Moen, or an Armstrong who can fight if needed.
My pick out of Winnipeg, if at the deadline it doesn’t look like they’ll make the playoffs: Chris Thorburn.
Mike Boone: “With Gainey at my side, I’d walk into any dark alley in the world.”
Jared Boll would be my pick up.
but not as a PK player just a 4th liner to rotate between moen, white and armstrong
I have heard the name Clowe somewhere, not sure if it was on this site or elsewhere.
Zenon Konopka!
Dustin Pennnnnnnerrrrrr!!!
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Chris Neal, Jared Boll…
Neil is untouchable in Ottawa. Who wouldn’t want Neil?
Rule #76: No Excuses, Play Like a Champion!
@Hstands4Hockey
clarkson is my dream player right now for the habs to go for.
Hey we’ve posted theses names without being attacked by the HIO Girl Scouts gang so far?
Don’t you think it’s funny that everyone is arguing over which 4th liner (in most cases) to pick up? Far cry from last year’s trade everyone arguments.
Oh look it’s the immature size queen group!
Really Hobbie, petty insults don’t bring anything to a discussion
Have you ever seen those Girl Scouts play, shiram? Those nasty so and so’s like using their sticks!
http://calshabsongparodies.weebly.com
There we go, gloves are off!
Please take your visor off so I don’t hurt my hand
He’d be a beauty for sure. Price will be very high and NJD likely won’t want to trade him with a chance to make another run before Brouder retires. I bet they try to resign, especially after losing Parise.
Rule #76: No Excuses, Play Like a Champion!
@Hstands4Hockey
Any1 else see the lack of respect that Gally is getting on NHL.com with the rankings for current Calder candidates? There’s no mention of him at all except for in the comments section… Top three are Huberdeau (makes sense), Justin Schultz (meh), and Conacher (I’d like to think I would be racking up the pts. too playing on a line with arguably the best goal scorer in the world…).
Gally has 3 game winners (1st among rookies), third in pts, and the other players have 4-5 more games played…
On the TSN page, Gallagher is listed on the NHL Power Rankings – did you mean Galchenyuk?
Morning. Someone posted a link from there yesterday that had him listed as the leading candidate. Gallagher that is.
No. I meant Gallagher.. but I was referring to NHL.com Calder rankings.
P.S. Just saw Gally is ranked #1 on TSN
Apologies – NHL.com needs to get its act together.
Haha no worries.. Realistically, Gally needs to get his act together…
I think a hatrick tonight would suffice
ESPN has Gallagher as the number 1 rookie in the NHL right now.
Thanks. I knew it was from somewhere. Senior moments happening more often bud.
NHL.com is a joke run by Yankees who get their hockey knowledge from plugs like Mike Milbury and Jack Edwards. Apron Basu is the only decent journalist they have.
They only look at stats and don’t even watch hockey. Conacher gets all his points on TB powerplay playing with Stamkos and St. Louis. Gallagher barely gets PP time and plays way less minutes on a better team. Schultz has not made Edmonton better. Huberdeau I can understand – he’s been terrific but also playing a ton of minutes on a terrible team.
Rule #76: No Excuses, Play Like a Champion!
@Hstands4Hockey
Rankings, individual awards…meh…I guess they help boost a player’s value (from another GM’s perspective)…I prefer when our guys fly under the radar. (especially as a team)
When in Rome, walk softly, wear a big hat and vote often. Film at 11.
They also have a smoke-du-jour on their menus.
Only because my Mom doesn’t read HIO I’ll post this, but I wonder what color the smoke would be if Frontenac was there. Imagine, Cardinal Frontenac. Tremendous, eh?
LMAO! I can see him waving and shouting “Saludos, amigos!”
I would convert to Catholicism if Front was Pope!
Can”t see it happening amigos. I like women too much. But I like the smoke signal thing.Saludos!
Is it just me, or are the HF Boards extremely confusing and annoying?
Went to have a look around there… never again.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
There was a couple of gentleman here last night suggesting some other Hab chat room, perhaps that would be better for you?
Yeah, it sounded so easy and fun!
Not to mention accessible and… some other nonsense!
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Wasn’t he all alone in the room? I got scared.
How good would Vanek look in a Habs uniform? Interesting article from Buffalo, suggesting the Sabres trade one or all of Pomminville, Vanek and Miller.
http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130312/SPORTS/130319736/1004
I’d be very interested in Pominville.
Miller sounds like a little bitch. Honestly. He was clearly one of the elements who ran Ruff out of town (his interview after the firing clearly indicated this) and he complains in every interview and gives his teammates a hard time every time a goal is scored, whether it’s his fault or not.
-edit- What’s Vanek like? He seems to be a sniper, but would he fit the Therrien ‘total-hockey’ system? Does he back-check?
—Hope Springs Eternal—
To me Vanek is the real deal. A big winger with great shot and doesn’t shy away from physical game. Also very deft on the penalty shoot outs.
Big ticket salary though, 7.1million cap hit for one more season. But bonafide scorer. Would require giving up something significant for him. I suspect he would love playing with Plekanec though.
Better fit than Iginla, Burly.
“May you live in interesting times.”
Miller has to go. His attitude is bleep, ever since Lucic hit him.
I would take Vanek if the price was reasonable, for sure. I used to really like Miller but I find he’s very bitter nowadays – possibly since he was run over by Lucic with no retribution from either the Sabres or the officials?
Vanek does suffer from the same disease as kovalev, inconsistentitus I think it’s called?
Interested one year, not so much the next…
Looks amazing this year though!
That’s for sure. He’ll score 10 goals in 5 games then disappear for long stretches. A lot like Kovalev. Boy, but when he’s hot he’s really really good.
BTW — I’ve added inconsistentitus to my dictionary.
I wouldn’t mind Pominville or Vanek. They would likely be more expensive than I would care for, but I think they would fit our system nicely.
Claude Julien in all his glory
I would have used doughnuts instead but still hilarious…lol!
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
I did not make it, just pilfered it from HF boards.
Thanks!
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
LOL
After the past few years of seeing animated gifs usually depicting the percieved idiocy/flopping/diving/whining of a person or team against the Bruins, I’m enjoying this Bruin bashing retribution.
ITS ABOUT EFFING TIME!
That is hilarious!
____________________
DOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
LOL!
Gabriel Dumont skating on a line with Ryan White, a Manitoba native. Riel’s legacy well and truly alive. And the Habs keep winning, I’m seeing a Pateryn.
Don’t forget Rene Bourque who, if I’m not mistaken, is actually Metis.
No Pope selected after 3 rounds of voting.
Why don’t they just go to a shootout?
Or reduce the number of voters for round 4?
I’m as surprised as any of you.
I figured I’d be a shoo-in.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Sudden death overtime. Next vote wins.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Hah, nice one!
Nicely done!
Mike Boone: “With Gainey at my side, I’d walk into any dark alley in the world.”
Maybe there won’t be a pope voted in! That would be really random.
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
The skills competition could be most Eucharists given in 5 minutes, or most confessions heard in a 5 min OT.
“May you live in interesting times.”
I thought the Penguins really over-embellished their goal celebrations last night. Anybody else?
I didn’t see them but the Bruins lost so that’s always a good thing. Frankly excitement does that when you win or score and catch up, you don’t usually think about how you are reacting.
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
I thought Julien really embellished his embellishment dispute on the high stick call.
Agreed. The natural reaction to a stick in the face is to jerk your head back as quickly as possible to avoid injury. Anything else is inviting serious facial injury.
And speaking of embellishment, does anyone have an idea how to find out how many embellishment/diving calls have been made this year and which team leads the way in calls against. I have seen quite a few against the Habs but not many against any other team. What I find most interesting is that I have seen 2 called against Proust this year. I wonder how many he got called against him when he was with the Rangers. Did he suddenly become a diver when he signed with the Habs?
Ch EJ
Penalty stats…
http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/stats/playerpenalty/regularseason/yearly/NHL/MISC/ALL?&_1:col_1=6
http://www.thestar.com/sports/2013/03/12/curtis_woodhouse_british_boxer_fed_up_with_anonymous_abuse_tracks_down_his_twitter_tormentor.html
ok..time to choose our words more carefully!!!
In England, possible, States, gunshot wound.
“May you live in interesting times.”
From last night’s games:
Can someone explain how Perry’s hit was worse than Kassian’s?
Also, there were several hits last night that were very similar to the one Kaleta was suspended for. Example: Stuart during the Jets – Toronto game. The main difference: the recipients were not as floppy on their skates as Brad Richards was.
To me the Stuart hit was every bit as bad as Kaleta’s, the difference? Kaleta is a repeat offender. Nevertheless, I would like to assume there’s going to be a suspension on that hit…
I won’t hold my breath though….
Wow Tsn is still talking about that shootout attempt again making something out of nothing pretty much all the players thought it was cool or funny and Ottawa coaching staff didn’t care So why the hell does TSN care? To me It’s very foxescque.
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Why does TSN care?
Because there are around 10 24-hour sports channels, plus specialty channels, looking for content.
“It was cool” generates no discussion and fills no time.
“It was bad” generates a little and barely fills time.
“It was worse than Bertuzzi clobbering Moore. It shows a complete lack of respect for the game and the opposition. Players like Daugavins should take wrist shots on shootouts and stick to checking from behind, like a good Canadian kid would” = Content!
I felt like I was watching th Subban contract talks it was just something out of nothing. Starting a fire where there wasn’t one
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Watched Chris Nilan’s movie last night. guys, If you haven’t seen it yet and love the Canadiens, you have to watch it. Excellent clips of Serge Savard, Bob Gainey and other greats talking about Nilan’s career. As well as some great fights.
There’s one great part where Dave Semenko has Nilan’s head in his chest, holding it there, laughing. Sort of like a few weeks ago when Frazer Maclaren was laughing at Josh Gorges. Harry Neale was doing the colour on CBC and stated that Semenko should wipe the grin off his face because he might be bigger but Nilan has more heart. Sure enough, Nilan breaks free and lands a few upper cuts on Semenko and the grin was wiped off his face pretty quickly. Wicked fight.
Nilan had a few seasons were he was around the 20 goal mark and was the toughest SOB in the league. I wish we had him on our 3rd or 4th line in his prime today!
Love ya Chris!!!!!
Sounds really interesting is it easy to access?
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
That’s very cool. I look forward to catching Nilan’s show. Always admired Nilan as a hab.
I finally saw the last gladiators last night. If anyone hasn’t seen it yet I highly recommend it. I wish Chris nothing but the best in his new gig at Team 690 I’m very happy for him.