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To be honest, I didn’t read it that way. And my conscince is clear as pertaining to anything I’ve ever written about Saku Koivu. But if it ever came to that, I would wear the scorn of my friend Jack like a badge of honour.
Agreed, Michael. Not sure that we’re the target of this shotgun blast.
I know I wrote probably a dozen lengthy Koivu features during his tenure in Montreal, half of them based on private, one-on-one interviews, and there’s not been one done with a hidden agenda or snide comment or cheap shot. There is no player on the Canadiens, least of all the captain of the team, who will agree to a private talk if he thinks he’s going to be ambushed.
Koivu made a point of coming down off the stage after his Friday news conference to shake hands and tell me he’s always enjoyed working with me, and he did the same thing after he’d wrapped up his interviews following Saturday’s game. If he figures I had the knife out for him, he’d not have done that.
Dave Stubbs
Habs Inside/Out
Sports Columnist/Feature Writer, Montreal Gazette
• On Twitter: twitter.com/habsinsideout1
There should be some sort of inquiry as to why some NHL refs still having licenses. Being at Saturdays game, I had the ability to see more than a TV camera allows a home viewer. You may have noticed that myself and the other 21,272 fans were more than a little peeved by some calls and some non-calls. Love Stubbs’ article. I wasn’t alive at the time, and so had no idea such a record existed (15 goals against? Yikes). And Jack Todd…way to take a nice gesture, several in fact, and make them into a negative thing. Long live Koivu, maybe he’ll come back again some day.
♪Your cares and troubles are gone. There’ll be no more from now on. From now on happy days are here again, the skies above are so clear again. So let’s sing a song of cheer again. Happy times, happy nights, happy days are here again♪
He is still employed the same way The National Enquirer is still a major selling paper. Reaction like yours show the effect. I agree with you completely, but then again let’s try to remember these things happen all the time. That ‘Fountain Lady’ who walked into the fountain is trying to sue the mall for laughing at her and making her a laughing stock. Meanwhile if you look at the video there would have been no way to tell who she was until SHE told everyone it was her. Yet she thinks SHE deserve some sort of justice (that and the charges of theft, fraud and hit and run against her should magically go away)…
There may be other teams, but only ONE Club De Hockey…
If I were Nabakov and I thought I was going to Wings and all of a sudden Snow was calling me saying I was going to the Islanders, I’d hang up the phone too.
That’s all just window dressing. Of course they reprimand the odd ref every half dozen years or so, just to appease us peasants.
Oh, I remember the Quebec-Rangers series of 1994 well. The infamous call by Andy van Hellemond after Alex Kovalev faked an injury is one of those that lives on, and is a strong part of why I think that Kovalev never received the kind of referee support that a player of his talent probably should have enjoyed. “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
And THAT’S an undergarment…your avatar that is
Pretty cool toaster fo’ shizzle. But does it actually make good toast?
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
I agree with you for the most part having grown up in the same environment, but like in all things, the loudest and harshest are the ones that are heard and really dissuade any effort or goodwill. I am referring to the crowd that tells people who try and speak French, albeit poorly, not to bother at all if they cannot do it well and those in the crowd that think knowing English and French and being able to operate/work in both as an attack on the survival of the French language and practically a crime.
That is why I am surprised when I see some on here saying that a few token phrases and merci’s and bonjour’s would have been enough to placate the majority. More than a few would see it as bread crumbs and table scraps being thrown at them to shut them up, useless token gestures. Heck, that is how the loudest ones that are heard see Canadian bilingualism: just a useless token gesture that is more insulting than anything else. It is the same as those people who say “ni hao ma” and chortle that they can speak Mandarin when it is just annoying.
“I am guilty of using elipses…”
First you say “There is no NHL conspiracy”, then you say, ”Phantom calls are as old as the sport”, and you follow that with ” There is no “bias”, at least as it relates to the Montreal Canadiens franchise”…..then it’s “Part of the reason I suspect that Montreal gets stiffed is how many whiny players we’ve got”……..so are we pr are we not getting stiffed????
Hey Stubbs, Hickey, Boone and even Fisher,
How does it feel like to continually get jabbed at in Jack Todds article this morning…He referenced the fact that the English media shoulders some of the blame for the way Koivu was treated during his time in Montreal. Must be great to work with a colleague like todd.
The Fred Factor… Philly will be toast…every Habs fan should get one of these iconic toasters!
After Andy van Hellemond completely muffed the call when Sakic scored while Kovalev lie dying on the ice from a “vicious” slash, he was suspended for the rest of the playoffs. That’s not insignificant given that he was widely recoginized at the time as the NHL’s top referee, routinely working NHL Finals games at that point of his career.
Referees routinely lose the right to work further in the playoffs based on the quality of their officiating, sometimes even the respected ones. If you make a bad call, it CAN come back to the referee. The league is just smarter than most fans and knows enough not to cut off its nose to spite its face, which would be the appropriate analogy to a league coming out and saying, “Hey, you fans are right…our officials are terrible!”
Regarding the article by Jack Todd and in general the comments posted in the last few days regarding Saku Koivu:
I love Saku Koivu. He embodies what it means to wear the CH. A humble, hard-working, CHbleeding player and a great human being. That being said, Saku Koivu should have learned some very basic french. We are not talking about mastering the language here; we are talking about being able to handle some basic terms which you can learn in a month and change. That´s all anyone has ever asked for.
Hockey writers and fans will say that he was paid to play hockey and bring home a Stanley Cup; that we would gladly trade for 23 New Zealanders, or Namibians, or North Koreans if they can bring home a Cup. This is a case (and Todd as a hockey writer usually commits this mistake) of intellectually having a strong grasp of an issue without feeling the issue because you are alien to it. I´m an anglophone, but my mother stuck my a%&s in french high school and it made me realize the sad truth about how difficult it is to relate to francophones for an anglo and viceversa. I was lucky enough to have the experience to be in a francophone milieu for 5 years.
Francophones are not demanding, intolerant, nor prejudicial. Again, all anyone has ever asked for is a gesture of learning a few choice words in order to get by in an interview. Nothing against Todd, or most of the other writers, or most canadians outside of Quebec for that matter. but if you haven´t grown up being involved in a francophone milieu you just can´t understand why this would be important. This type of gesture goes straight to the heart of francophones. It ISN´T just about hockey here. Montreal is unique to all other north american cities, where athletes just get paid to perform and no one cares about the rest. The Montreal Canadiens are a unique franchise in north america. This isn´t negative in any respect; this is what makes the Montreal Canadiens the greatest hockey franchise in the world and Montreal the most vibrant city in North America.
The Koivu language saga was and is a microcosm of our country´s saga. We don´t realize how lucky we are to be in this country. What makes it great are these two cultures. Just A SMALL GESTURE, every now and then, to the other half of our country, to show you care. Because the other half wants to stick around, i can tell you that (don´t believe anyone who tells you otherwise) , and just wants that small gesture every now and then to see that the other half cares.
He did, actually. He wanted to play with his ol’ pal Teemu.
And yes, they can pick where they go. The management wouldn’t just ship off to wherever someone like Saku without his consent.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Not a stupid rule.
It’s designed to stop vets from going to Russia for half the year and then just showing up for the final push and playoffs. The really stupid thing is “Nabokov helping someone win the Stanley Cup”. The guy is a serial choker. It’s like saying Joe Thornton is the missing piece to win the cup.
Then why do they keep pushing for MAB, and in fact say he would have been a better choice than the Wiz???
Besides I do not have the patent on ‘The French Media’ statement…
There may be other teams, but only ONE Club De Hockey…
sens notes…Pierre Mcguire has been interviwed for the GM job(lol) Mcquire is a big fan of Kirk Muller. Ottawa is throwing in the towel on this year and will conduct a total rebuid it looks like.
The NHL can’t allow players to play half the season in Russia and then just show up for the playoffs.
And another thing about Todd. He was one of the ring leaders of the bash Patrice Brisebois cabal, which lead to Brisebois getting booed mercilessly by his own fans.
He will not have to clear waivers as he wasn’t playing under a contract with anyone this year.
Got one….Avon sells them !!!
A FEW THINGS.
Jack Todd: Back to his usual drivel. First off Koivu has had lower production this season in Anaheim, however, last season he has his usual, career average, 0.75 points per game. So I do not think he did poorly in Anahiem. Yes the French media was hard on him, but then again they are hard on everyone NOT FRENCH. So why should he be different. The fans were not. Yeah we were dying to keep him, we had not had a top 10 (ok top 11) scorer in a long time. We ended up number 1 that year, and I think the fans also knew Koivu’s time in Montreal was over too. BUT KOVY NEVER GOT THE OVATION KOIVU DID. Kovy gets booed when he is here in Montreal, and Koivu got ANOTHER standing O.
REFS: Ridiculous. yeah its alot of paranoia when it comes to calls we think are only against us, but this paranoia comes honestly, because the Refs have sucked for us for awhile now. We are constantly getting bad calls against us. The league should be doing better regarding this, but I only expect them to do nothing until there is something to react to, they are not, nor even have been, pro-active….
PHILLY: They beat Ottawa 6-2, we beat Ottawa 7-1… WE CAN BEAT PHILLY, but i doubt we will…
There may be other teams, but only ONE Club De Hockey…
Ah Jack.
No he didnt’, man i am sick of people on here presenting themselves as if they have any sort of medical knowledge. Stomach cancer and NHL are NOT the same thing.
GOD its not enough that everyone here thinks they are gods gift to hockey knowledge now everyone thinks they are a doctor as well!!!
I’m not 100% certain, but I believe the key is whether the player had been signed to a professional contract in another league. If Forsberg has not played for MoDo this season, than he should be an unrestricted free agent and therefore free to sign with any team he likes (much like Mats Sundin a couple of years ago). In Nabokov’s case, he was playing in the KHL and therefore must go on waivers to re-enter the NHL. That Garth Snow picked him up just shows that Garth Snow is an absolute idiot and ensures that he will be unemployed in the not so distant future, because I can’t see too many agents or other GM’s dealing with him unless they have to.
Yes the French media was hard on him, but then again they are hard on everyone NOT FRENCH.
This is patently ridiculous.
Pierre is always on the shortlist.
What’s the difference if a team offers a KHL player a contract versus some guy sitting on his couch in North America? If Foresberg made a mircaculous recovery and signed last minute for good money it’s ok, but Nabokov right now for low money isn’t?
It seems like a rule for rules sake if you ask me.
But that isnt what he is trying to do. he is trying to come before the trade deadline. FAIR to me…
There may be other teams, but only ONE Club De Hockey…
You answered your own question.
NYI got AN ASSET in return for Roloson. Your, and others, percieved value of that asset is neither here nor there.
Nabokov replaces a hole that they had just created in their lineup (they HAD Roloson there for a reason, remember, so there is use and room for another seasoned vet. They just felt the asset outweighed the use of Roloson).
Is this really that hard to understand? I’m glad someone stood up to the Wings, and I bet you dollars to donughts that NYI wasn’t the only team to take a ride on the Nabby train (had their waiver spot arised)
I had been avoiding Jack Todd as well for the past couple of years, but he had his about face an apology there when it came to bashing Carey Price for far to long, I was cautiously optimistic about a new leaf. Turns out more of the same old jerky garbage.
No he doesn’t have to clear waivers because he wasn’t currently playing for a europeon team.
That’s an understatement!
When it comes to the referees I think it’s that things are coming to a head after many years of utter incompetence.
Go Habs Go!
I might be the only one today to actually agree with Jack Todd. What did he write that was wrong ? Did the media attack him ? YES, Did members of the media and fans question his leadership? YES. Did certain members of the media and certain politicians attack him for not speaking French? YES
No fan ever disputed Koivu’s work ethic. The are no fans that would dispute that during his tenure with Montreal he was surrouned by a bunch of stiffs. But let’s be honest two years ago a lot of fans were saying that it was a time for change I was one of them. not that I did not respect what he had brought to the franchise but that it was time to change the culture of the room. AND that was done.
Our memories play funny tricks on us 2 years ago the debate on this site among was to keep Saku or let him go, (last year it was Halak vs Price). The one complaint that I had was that he always seemed to take penalties at the wrong time quite often when we were on the PP. I felt that Saku was not a number one centre HOWEVER he was the best we had not his fault. Would he have passed that job to Plekanec ?? Who could honestly say that Saku would have embraced the number 2 centre tag here in Montreal . The ego and strength that got him to the NHL would not allow it. In Anaheim Ryan Getzklaf was and is the number 1 no pressure.
So you could say that I was one of the fans that said it was time for him to move on. AND this is where I disagree with Jack had I been at the Bell Centre Saturday night I to would have stood and applauded for 8 minutes
NHL is a Cancer. Forget being a Doctor. A close friend of mine had NHL. Here this is from the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/Non-HodgkinLymphoma/index
There may be other teams, but only ONE Club De Hockey…
Really, can’t say donkey b@lls on this site?
He’s employed because a) he’s a very strong writer b) he espouses opinions sometimes outside the box and c) he can hit a nerve.
His novels are also excellent.
I just want to clarify something : Jack Todd disses Brisebois so the MINDLESS fans Have to boo him ?? Give me a break what ever happened to free will ?
For the record, Koivu battled Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, not stomach cancer as Todd erroneously stated.
Mcguire is to GM lists as Ted Nolan was (is ) to coaching lists Always there never hired
It’s pretty much the same deal with traded vets too. They can’t pick and choose where they’ll end up. I’m sure Koivu didn’t have his heart set on Anaheim lol
Elohim:”Let us make an Adam in our image and after our likeness.” – Genesis 1:26
”We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
I dont know how old you are but phantom calls havent always been a part of hockey, I remember a time when refs barely called anything. 1 or 2 calls in the first 2 period and usually nothing in the 3rd.
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
If you ever get the chance to watch Quebec and NY Rangers series in 1994 and the Anaheim-Calgary series the year Anaheim won the cup. Its one thing for officiating to go one way for a game but for a series…
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
True that. Maybe in this politically correct age when one can’t say donkey b@lls without being delete, he could have phrased it differently, but in general he is not wrong. He signed with Detroit and then boom – go play for the Isles. The rule is stupid. How would you feel if Habs signed MAB and then he got claimed by some useless bottom feeder team>
Whenever I think about it, I’m amazed at how stunningly unfair the draft is on players. That by agreeing to work for this enterprise (the NHL) you lose all control over where you will work, it will be decided for you. If you don’t like it, too bad.
And let’s not forget that getting drafted isn’t a guarantee that you’ll make the big bucks in the NHL – if anything it gives you, what, about a 10% chance of making an NHL roster?
The only other organization that can get away with that kind of thing is the military.
I can only think of one Gazette writer who repeatedly scapegoats and attacks athletes in print.
Initials JT.
Having read most of those features, I would be quite shocked if you were a target, Dave. Your features are consistently classy and well-written, almost always bringing the human perspective forwards for players that fans all too often forget are not simple millionaire automatons without a care in the world.
he is employed because he writes articles that get attention.
Blame the KHL, not the NHL>
Separated shoulder is tough. There won’t be much in the way of news. It takes a while to be comfortable using the shoulder again, and then it requires building up of the muscle around it to make up for the joint damage.
I think his shot wont be the same this season until he get some serious gym time in the offseason. He won’t be back early.
Since Eberle is now out of the all-star game festivities is there any chance that PK gets a call?
I don’t care who wins as long as Toronto doesn’t!
I had the Todd article open, but after reading the comments, I decided not to bother. Thanks guys and gals.
I am a little stunned by the Leclerc article since many Anglos here prefer the RDS version, even some who are more or less unilingual.
while some of what you write has some truth your first statement is simple not true. lack of a grasp of hockey in the US has nothing to do with the sports origins, but rather the sport itself. i credit the cost to play as the single biggest difference maker between all sports.
i’d like to know how many tennis courts and rinks there are in both canada and the US.
not sure why you bring hte NFL and gambling into all this but i know hundreds of NFL fans and only one who is a real gambler – sure we do office pools areound here but do one for hoceky as well.
in the end, major sports are driven by money and profit. if a canadian city can not support a team and they lose money so be it. sure i’d prefer franchises in winnepeg and quebec over florida and carolina (to name just 2) but it is what it is.
If Nabokov wants to play in the NHL, he has got to play by the NHL rules. How are people CRITICIZING Snow for trying to help his team, for the first time, ever?
It’s a good rule. It’s stops players from picking and choosing their terms on how they re enter the league. Keep in mind these are all guys who stepped out of the NHL in the first place, by their own accord. If they were “forced” out, and brought back, well the point is moot because they should be happy playing anywhere.
I’m glad Nabby got stiffed.
Any word on Cammalleri? I remember hearing that he’s not due back until after the All Star Break at the earliest (he was put on 7 day IR IIRC)
Is that the last update? Any idea on his progression?
You know it is a stupid rule when Mike Millbury agrees with it as he did Saturday night.
Garth Snow isn’t as bad of a GM as people make it seem. Wang wants a few arean and he isn’t planning to spend much money on the team so a lot has to do with that, the Nabokov claim is just odd, but he has made some decent moves in drafting. Signing Matt Moulson, signing Streit, he could have got more for Wisniewski, but he traded a 3rd round (what he paid for Wis from the Ducks) into a 2nd and a 5th, Traded 41 year old Roloson for Ty Wishart.
How is Jack Todd still employed? Seriously. He’s a complete idiot. He must’ve been hired by the same guy who hired the Gazette’s IT people.
I agree with John Davidson, that when an incoming free agent is taken off of waivers there should be some price to pay by the acquiring team $100k, or pay an extra five to ten percent on the salary with some to go to the team that did that work. Also only teams below you should get a shot at it.
That being said Snow was very smart to grab Nabokov. He is acquiring an asset for nothing other than a salary, and a small salary at that. It would have been stupid, and bad GM’ing to not put in a claim when you (1) need a goalie, (2) need assets … Seriously what is the logical argument against grabbing Nabokov.
Some people look before flushing the toilet, and some don’t.
Similarly, some people click on links titled “Don Cherry’s Take” or “Jack Todd Weighs In” and some don’t.
I admit it, I clicked on the link. First, regarding the supposed hypocrisy. Isn’t it likely that the people who criticized Koivu for not speaking French aren’t the same people who cheered him on Saturday? The French thing came from a tiny minority, mostly journalists like Rejean Tremblay and Michel Blanchard, and had little traction among supporters of either linguistic group. It’s a fair bet that the fans with the #11 jerseys at the Bell Ctr aren’t the ones who “drove him out of town”.
You want hypocrisy though? Why does Jack Todd not name and shame the journalists who criticized Saku and “built up Kovalev”? He’s usually not shy about name-checking his good buddy Rejean Tremblay.
As far as Saku being a “Finn, with no knowledge whatsoever of Quebec’s absurd, ongoing language obsession,” you’d have to be pretty unaware wouldn’t you? I know about the Basques and ETA for example, despite having spent about 4 days in San Sebastian. I don’t know much about their language issue, but I know there is a language issue.
Finally, the reason Saku was let go is that he was the captain during the worst Hab season in recent memory. Not worst in terms of points maybe. But the centennial season was a complete debacle. And he was deemed to be more part of theproblem than part of the solution.
What joeybarrie,first nations people on Baffin Island can’t have an opinion…how very white of you ! I’ve read Nuna’s comments for quite awhile ,and though of a different view point than yours it, make’s him no less a fan than you! After all he lives on Baffin Island and could quite easily state” your a over opinionated pussy from a climate zone that does not encourage a sense of community.”;)
Thank you! Exacty! I don’t like this attitude that people have about shooting down a rule that is supposed to stop teams from hauling in outside players before the playoffs!! “You go play in Russia, Nabby, and we’ll call you up when we’re close to the playoffs,” says Mike Babcock. WHAT??!! The rule is there for that reason, AND, if Nabber or his agent had READ THE RULES, we wouldn’t be in this position. I suppose, by the tone of many responding to my post below, that you all agreed with Lindros’s pissy tantrum about getting signed by the Nordiques!! Supporting this kind of nonsense is poor judgement and shows a lack of respect for the GMs who are trying to help their teams according to the rules. —Hope Springs Eternal—
can anyone tell me if peter forsberg will also have to clear waivers , if not why
Reffing is awful in the NHL indeed. I have to laugh when I hear “boy that ref is gonna get it from the officiating supervisors.” I picture in my mind the scene 24/7 when the ref’s are in the little room after the game laughing and drinking beer. I doubt the meeting’s with the “officiating supervisors” are any differen’t. It reminds me of the scene in Seinfeld where the doorman are all together laughing at Jerry, “and they think they’re better than us, hahaha”.
The only thing they want is more goals/points cause the fans like it. The ref doesnt quite see what happened so instead of no call, he gives one. I realize hockey is fast but it aint that fast and theres 2 refs for crying out loud, it shouldnt be difficult, but it is hard because they worry about the entertainment value more than the integrity.
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
A simple formula
The more John Tavares (et al) wins as an Islander, the happier he (they) will be as Islanders, the better they will play as Islanders, and the better chance of building something long term and succesful. Losing sucks, and drains people.
Nabokov helps them win, and cost nothing. Think of it as taking care of John Tavares, and it makes incredibly perfect sense.
Watched the skills competition tand noted that Pouliot had the hardest/fastest shot 102 MPH…a full 4 MPH faster than Wiz and PK who had 98 MPH..
Here’s a thought to the Coaching staff…for our power Play, how about trying Pouliot on the point with either PK or Wiz for the cannon that he brings…I remember the days long ago when many teans used a forward and one D on the points for their PP…might be interesting to see what 4 forwards and one D could do creatively out othere for the PP.
Is the hyperlink a tech issue being worked on or has it been abolished?
Elohim:”Let us make an Adam in our image and after our likeness.” – Genesis 1:26
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
testing
to
see
if
hard returns
work
edit: yé
Yeah, I really feel bad for Nabokov… he gets to collect a KHL salary, for half the year, dump his team, and come back to play for Detroit for half the year before the playoffs without anyone being able to do anything about it.
Yep, poor fella. The tears are coarsing down my face. Why, oh why, can’t any player just come into the year halfway through to play for whatever team he wants??
The world is so unfair. Hold on while I go to light a candle for Saint Frère-André for all the poor little hockey players who try to bend the rules to get both the money and the glory.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
we already know who has the better all around team but-tomorrow night-Habs and Philly-defence against offence-who will win
Very good point. It’s not up to the refs to decide if it’s a right time to call a damn penalty, call the game by the book. I don’t care if it means a 5 on 1 powerplay. If a team is stupid enough to take penalties they should pay the Price.
Simple formulae are usually anything but when it comes to sports.
Putting in a waiver claim on Nabokov has initiated a controversy, with many criticising either the team or the player. Regardless, it is more negative attention for a franchise that seems to bathe in it. Snow somehow failed the risk-reward test here: he had to know that there was no way Nabokov was coming to the Isles. Nabokov essentially said it was Detroit or nobody when he signed…I’m sure that stance could have softened if he was claimed by a playoff team. But the Isles have no hope of doing anything but losing, and Nabokov has no interest in being part of a rebuilding project (nor can I blame him). For the paltry reward Nabokov might have represented, it hardly seemed worth the risk. I guess the Islanders disagreed, so now we shall have to wait and see what comes of the mess.
He probably did! Then didn’t read the small print.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
FYI Boone…Corgis should never be allowed to tamper with hi tech equipment. Lhasas on the other hand have just the right mix of intelligence and radical open mindedness to handle all types of server problems.
***Subbang!!!***
Almost forgot.
Mr. Stubbs, excellent article. I appreciate you scouring the history files for relevant stories.
***Subbang!!!***
Maybe Nabokov should have thought of this before turning down NHL offers for a bigger pay cheque in the KHL during the offseason?
Spaced
out,
man.
Feelin’
groovy.
Corgis aren’t much for writing, either. Zoom in on the screen, it’s a bunch of doggerel.
Multi-dimensional beings wouldn’t have to ask the question
Elohim:”Let us make an Adam in our image and after our likeness.” – Genesis 1:26
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
“Are right-hand turns allowed in a parallel universe?” – JB
I’m glad that Snow stepped in and stopped Nabber from calling the shots. “I’ll only play for Detroit or nobody.” Fine! Nobody it is! Try to cheat the system and come in halfway through the year to play for the team that you choose? Good riddance.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Good eye JB. My Lhasa mentioned this to me a few minutes ago but I just ignored him. Silly me.
***Subbang!!!***
Nabokov gives a “/”!$%, and that’s really where it ends. There was no work for him here- recall that he is a casualty of a) cap squeezes and b) a wave of young awesome goaltenders that have flooded the NHL. Same conditions that got Huet. So he does the smart thing and goes to the KHL.
Would you move your whole family and uproot your life to play for a poorly managed team with zero prospects of winning? Of giving you a new experience? Of moving your career forward?
I didn’t think so…
Wonderful JT I have been wanting to say this for a long time I am tired of all the complaing alot of people should be coaches @ GM’s Give me a break….I have been a Hab fan for over 55 years @ always will be.You have the right to your opion but stop slam
Reminds me of that cartoon which said “on the internet, no one knows you’re a dog”!!
With all due respect to the veteran netminder, who gives a #&%$ what Nabokov wants?
He knew the rules when he decided to follow the cash in Russia instead of staying in the NHL. Snow might be a deuce in all of this but there is NO sympathy to be had here for Nabs.
Pff. See my reply to Gormdog below.
“Without anyone being able to do anything about it.” You make it sound like he’s violating virgins. I’m not sure how this became a personal affront. Every hockey player has a wish list of where they would love to play- Nabaokov is unusual in that a) he was given an offer by one such team, and b) he was in a position to take up that offer.
The affront is Garth Snow swooping in after all the groundwork is done and scooping up a player he could have made a proper offer to AGES ago.
Yay!
Paragraphs are back!
Yahoo!
—Hope Springs Eternal—
@Stubbs / referee’s article.
That’s it exactly eh? “Boston is weak and a penalty will kill them”. Since when do referee’s have the power to make those decisions. Rules are rules, not something you upheld only when you choose. Montreal has been screwed over so many times by the referee’s it’s a wonder nobody throws stuff on the ice in petition. The Pouliot penalty was just a complete joke. Nice read Stubbs!
That joke is a CATastrophe
Except that Nabakov gets NOTHING out of this, except the chance to play out a meaningless forty games, lowering his career stats, and running the risk of getting bumped into backup status by one of the several hundred goalies the Isles have on their payroll.
Sounds like a great deal, I can’t imagine why he hasn’t reported to Long Island yet.
The waiver rule is stupid. Those teams had a chance to sign him, they didn’t, he should be with Detroit. You KNOW this is going on the table when the GMs meet this summer.
*My response below:*
A team that’s rebuilding would want to give ice time to the players that are sticking around. Sure, they might win a handful more games with Nabs, but what do they have to lose if they play DiPietro or some AHL goalie? Nothing, they get a slightly better draft pick and more time for their future players. Nabs isn’t signing there.
So once a team is out of the running, they should just give up on trying to help their team, whether it be for now or for the future?
Snow is in semi fire sale mode but he is still getting picks and prospects in return. That shouldn’t preclude him from wanting to help his team this season if the cost is minimal.
You’re confusing what teams should do with what teams actually do.
If you can convince me that teams never tank at all and only do everything they can to get the most W’s in the current season, then you win.
Why would anyone buy an Islanders ticket if they were supposed to give up half way through seasons. You play to win the games. It’s a professional sport, not shinny with your little baby cousin. You play to win the games first, 2nd, third, or last.
Tell that to the Senators.
———————————————————————— “Young people have seen that a team can play electrifying, fascinating hockey while still behaving like gentlemen.” ~Serge Savard~
Garth Snow does not want the Isles to tank. He wants them to learn how to win, play well, and sell tickets.
They were not winning with Wisnieski, so he shufled the deck and gave time to players who will be there past this season. He got assets for Wiz, which makes sense.
He must have thought he was getting the best deal he could for Roloson, so he moved him.
These are judgment calls, and people are free to disagree with what he is doing. I don’t have a problem with these moves, and he is a shrewd GM to sign Nabokov when he is available for nothing but very little money regardless of where they are in the standings.
GM’s guide players.
When Patrick Roy demands a trade, a shrewd GM talks him out of it. You don’t give in to players demands.
When Nabokov says he wants to play for a contender, a shrewd GM who needs him talks into playing for the team that picks him up off waivers. Big deal if he doesn’t play, you suspend him and have a good goalie on a cheap contract for next year.
This is what GM’s do.
By that logic, you trade away expiring contracts, yes. That’s what happens at the trade deadline. It’s an annual event surrounded by much anticipation but usually ending in dissatisfaction
Look, the whole premise of what I’ve been saying is that these are the reasons why people are upset at Snow. I’m not saying this is what I think.
spot on
What team wouldn’t? I’d guess the same team that wouldn’t see a rental player as making sense. A team that’s rebuilding would want to give ice time to the players that are sticking around. Sure, they might win a handful more games with Nabs, but what do they have to lose if they play DiPietro or some AHL goalie? Nothing, they get a slightly better draft pick and more time for their future players.
Agreed, some vets get traded but many more stick around and become UFA’s. How does it make a fanbase feel when everyone is shipped out of town the second management decides playoffs are not in the picture?
The only people who should be upset at Snow, are Red wings fans or other teams fans who also wanted to poach Nab. I actually gained alot of respect for Snow in this move, he’s actually trying to do SOMETHING to help his team in the “now”… Can’t think of the last time i could say that about the Isles!
By that logic, no team that was “out of the running” would ever play a single veteran who was not signed for the following season. Why bother, right?
Theres more to a team than internal development. There was a pretty big outcry in New York after they traded Roloson, Snow had an oppertunity fall right in his lap to fill the gap that was vacated. And he took it.
Also, theres something to be said about a young, inexperienced NHL team like the Isles learning a thing or two from seasoned vet like Nabokov. They had Roloson there for a reason, traded him for assets, and now, for free, get the chance to fill up the net again with a good veteran.
Very true. And I am half heartedly playing Devil’s advocate in all of this…
Here we all are, discussing the Isles. Heck. Some of us are “even on Snow’s side”. Maybe that’s all he wanted from this – press clippings!
(1) What kind of idiot GM would not grab this player that they need on their roster, when it cost them nothing.
(2) The rules in every league are designed to help the lower teams become better, even baseball …
(3) Every team has the ability to do this not just the bad teams. The RedWings should have put in some poison pills that other teams were not willing to swallow, otherwise they should have known this player would be grabbed up. I don’t feel sad for the Red Wings, they don’t need more help.
It might be a good idea for them to grab Nabby, sure. They’re allowed to do so.
I’m just saying that people are upset for the reasons above and also for the mixed messages. You’re talking about what a team should do, which is all good, but thats not what the Isles are doing. They went into early sell-off mode and of course had to deny it as to not drive away fans.
Even though the Isles have done fairly well between trading Roloson and now, they couldn’t have foreseen that. They would have kept him if they were thinking like you: a vet presence that gives the young guys a chance to win and something to press for. The mixed messages have people upset.
That’s an observation, not necessarily an expression of personal opinion
So once again they reward failure? It’s ok to come back, but make sure it’s a loser team and you have no playoff chances? What difference does it make? He’s literally saying “it’s not about the money, I want to win” and you are saying that’s wrong?
So it’s better to be Kovalchuk and sign a ridiculous, CBA circumventing contract which is 100% about money and not the cup? Oh but hey, he did it earlier so it’s ok?
Kovalchuck is apples and oranges to this scenario.
It’s great that he’s saying “it isn’t about the money, I want to win”, but the catch is, what was he saying last year during the offseason? When he was an NHL FA and could have gone where he liked?
“I don’t want to win, I want money. So I’ll hold out for a ridiculous NHL contract, and, when i don’t get it, run off to Russia”
And then, once the season has started, he can just stroll back here, after snubbing the league, and go wherever he chooses?
(and theres an argument to be made that Kovalchuck could have made even more money if he had singed in Russia… but that’s for another day i’m having fun with this subject!)
Unfortunatly, it’s not up to Nab to decide where he plays. He stepped away from the NHL when surely he could have signed here for the league minimum, but chose another league.
When he comes back, he can’t just pick and choose where he comes back. It’s a fair way to ensure tons of KHLers don’t come and kick current NHL players out of their jobs because, uh, they decided they didnt like the KGB sitting up in the pressbox…
You teach your yong players to win games, put more fannies in seats, and try to make the playoffs even if it’s a long shot. It’s bad practice to teach your players to not try to win. They don’t have a goalie now that Dipietro is wonky again, and Nabokov is cheap, cheap, cheap.
This is why in baseball with young or expansion teams you pay for a good closer. You want to reward your young players with wins when they do what they are supposed to. This teaches them to play the right way. If you lose even when you do the right things, you learn very little about hockey. A good goalie would reward the Islanders young players with wins when they play well. This is important.
Hopefully, especially for an organization with a respectable past. But when you think of what’s been going on there for years, the mixed message sent with the Rollie trade, and of the reputation of their owner, you wonder whether the motivation is purely for getting a few more fans out and the owner making a few bucks.
And if thats true, it’s not necessarily a terrible thing. It’s just that people don’t really give the Isles the benefit of the doubt these days.
That is a sensible argument. I don’t have a problem with Snows moves, but you have a sensible argument.
Sure he has. Just read the quotes, they’re definitely “supportive”.
He’s a hypocrite!
I hate them both as well. I cant believe Bertrand Raymond equated MAB with the Wiz, the man who thinks that has no business writing about hockey IMO.
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
A key difference being that the Habs are hunting for third in the conference while the Isles are hunting for a high draft pick.
I think that’s a big part of what people are upset about.
People wouldn’t be at all upset if, say, the Flyers picked him up.
Question, to all the Snow bashers.
On Saturday, Price got Markoved and had his tendon severed. Gone for the year.
Does Gauthier become a gutless, classless GM who poaches other peoples signings when he takes a turn with Nabokov?
Or is he a smart, shrewd GM who fills a hole, at an incredibly cheap price, with a veteran goalie who has seen it all before?
I wasn’t aware that anyone was calling Snow “gutless” or “classless”. I thought the criticism was that anyone could see that Nabokov wouldn’t want to play for NYI (a team that just traded away a pretty good veteran goalie I might add), and Snow would have as well had he given Nabokov’s agent a call before making the waiver claim. He didn’t carry out due diligence on this file, not by a long shot. That seems to be the crux of the criticism as far as I can tell.
Now Snow has a pretty big mess on his hands – he either sticks to his guns and has a year long headache with a goalie who doesn’t want to play for him, or he has to swallow his pride, eat some crow and release him.
I blame the rule, not the GM. However the GM is also a little slow in the head if he missed the statement that Nabokov wants to be a starter for a contender – exactly what about the Isles screams contender?
Had an 8th place team picked him up, he’d play.
If he hadn’t got rid of Roloson, I’d agree with you. There was no need for Snow to do what he did. He’s a dick!
I believe Auld has pretty much seen it all before, however, I’d be scared ****less if he was forced into becoming our starting goaltender due to Price being hurt. Don’t get me wrong, Auld is good, but not consistently good.
*edit* I took the question the wrong way, sorry ’bout that.
Goalies in Montreal have two roles, netminder and scapegoat.
Snow can also showcase Nabokov and then turn him into future assists at the deadline. The only downside is agents and players may frown upon his action, however these are the rules and in recent weeks we’ve seen at least two other players picked up in similar fashion. Snow has an obligation to do what’s in his clubs best interest, given the cost, rules, and player involved it is hard to argue with what Snow did.
Blame the rule but not Snow. Nabokov and his agent should have known this was likely to happen. If Kyle Wellwood can’t make it through waivers why should anyone think Nabokov could?
Are those two Koivu appreciations from Todd back in 1999 and 2000? Just wondering.
***Subbang!!!***
I agree with the NHL’s rule that players must go through waivers before playing for one specific team. The whole idea of the new CBA was to bring parity to the league. When you allow the ‘Haves’ to pick up any star player, who is not signed or owned by a NHL team, you eliminate the idea of parity. This way the ‘Have Nots’ have a chance to equalize a part of their team that they might be lacking in. It makes sense to me.
Someone mentioned earlier about ending the entrance draft because of the salary cap rules. In my opinion, this would leave some teams with a distinct advantage. For instance, players who grow up in the toronto area, tend to want to play for the leafs (don’t ask me why) Seeing how a lot of great hockey players come out of Southern Ontario, it would eventually make the leafs a power house, not unlike Chicago or Pittsburgh are now, who built their respective teams by legitimate means. (by sucking for 3 or 4 years and having access to 1st and 2nd overall picks) Especially seeing how there is a maximun salary ($985,000?) that is paid to rookies. A team could load up on new top notch players every year, and never have to worry about a salary cap. There is a draft for a reason, and if some 18 year old doesn’t like where he’s been drafted to, well then maybe he should look into another career.
..always with the negative waves, Moriarty, always with the negative waves..
Odd: Since it was me that mentioned the redunancy of the entry draft in the salary cap era, I thought I should expand.
My stance on this comes about from a couple of points: there is simply no way one team can “buy” a championship by loading up on the young superstar talent because talented players generally cost a lot. Let’s use last year’s draft as an example…Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin and all the rest come out and all are hotshot prospects. You are the Pittsburgh Penguins or Washington Capitals or Detroit Red Wings: you’ve already got a strong, Stanley Cup contending team. Do you roll the dice and let go of some of your more expensive veterans and sign some of the youngsters on the hope that they can all step in immediately and contribute? There is a big risk inherent to that strategy: very few 18- or 19-year olds can step into the NHL immediately and contribute, as Seguin, Hall and Tavares have all discovered to varying extents. Besides, those young hotshots would only consider signing with your team at a discount if you are managing that team well, and I see no problem with rewarding good management over rewarding terrible management with high draft picks simply because it is always the way it has been done.
On the other hand, approach it from a player point of view…you have options. Do you sign with a current contender, knowing that you’ve got a chance to play for a Stanley Cup as a background role player, or do you sign with a team that gives you more of an opportunity to develop your skills by giving you top-6 minutes, PP time and offensive responsibilities? Do you take the money from teams with cap space, or do you roll the dice that you will stay healthy for that entry-level contract and try to win a Cup?
The home ice thing is a bit over-stated, I think. Montreal fans have seen first-hand how local players do not always enjoy the pressures of staying near home. Cammalleri easily could have been a Toronto Maple Leaf, but has repeatedly stated that the idea of playing in the same city that he lives in the off-season was not a comfortable situation.
At the end of the day, I think that replacing “draft day” with “signing day” would maintain the level of excitement that fans associate presently with the draft, and might even augment it by adding other considerations.
There is nothing more “legitimate” about building your team by being terrible for a few years at a time than there would be by allowing teams to build based on excellent reputations and astute cap management and player development. The lack of personal freedom of the players is what ultimately rubs me the wrong way. Most people have no issue, usually citing the massive salaries the players will earn. This of course ignores that the majority of drafted players never make the NHL, some of them simply because they were drafted by a team that wasn’t a good fit. If you are a decent center and you are drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins, your chances are pretty low of getting a fair opportunity with Crosby, Malkin and Staal ahead of you on the depth chart, for example.
But I do wonder how society would feel if we suddenly said that every other ultra-elite and financially rewarding career suddenly insisted on rules that limited the personal choices and freedoms of the individuals that seek to fill those rules. Jealousy of the ludicrous financial arrangements don’t change the fact that the underlying principles are ultimately wrong.
So happy that PK is the exception, not the rule…
Not quite. I was thinking the same thing (Brilliant. Now just trade Nabo to the Wings for a 3rd round pick) until Mackenzie said on the radio this morning that, if traded this season, Nabokov would once again have to be put on waivers first.
And I think players and agents already frown upon the Isles… SO what’s the worst Snow can do?
The only way he’ll ever attract top talent is by paying top dollar, and no amount of waiver wire shennanigans will change that…
Snow can also showcase Nabokov and then turn him into future assists at the deadline.
Actually he can’t. Nabokov would have to clear waivers again if the Isles traded him.
Oops Sorry about the redundant post.
Thanks for pointing that out, I was afraid I was missing something.
Assuming Nabokov cleared waivers and played for the NYI, it would seem silly to have to make him pass through again when traded. Maybe that rule needs changing.
I think Snows lack of diligence was completely intentional. You, I, and Snow, are all 99% sure Nabs wont play for the Isles. But that doesn’t, and shouldn’t, stop Snow from TRYING to help his team.
If he speaks to Nabs, and Nab says no, then what? Snow looks like a complete jerk who just picked up Nabs to mess with Detroit’s head. It is not common policy for teams to call waiver wire heroes and ask em’ if they “would mind playing for my team?”
This way Snow is solid. Although pretty sure Nab would never play, this way he can say “waddaya mean he doesn’t want to play for the Isles?” while still picking up a potential asset for nothing.
I clicked the Todd link like a guilty ex-smoker reaching for that first cigarette in months and boy was it harsh. I have never enjoyed his writing or found his opinions all that informative but this kind of writing from him is a waste of space and time. Koivu deserved his recognition from his fans and his detractors alike. Not for what could have been or what should have been but for what was: the fact that he never gave it less than his all for his entire career in Montreal. Personally, he is my favourite Hab of all time and I follow him in Anaheim. I don’t expect every Habs fan to feel the same, but I appreciate that for one night at the Bell Centre everyone was on the same page. Todd’s spewing poison all over it is the real insult.
It’s official – Sidney Crosby won’t be able to play in the All-Star game. The NHL’s worst nightmare is now a reality. Hopefully, Bettman and the league GMs will now take real action on the concussion issue. If this doesn’t do it, then nothing else ever will.
Heard he broke a nail.
This isn’t the first time Sidney hasn’t been able to play at the All Star game.
I remember a couple seasons ago he being injured – I believe it was a knee injury. He attended said a few words, signed autographs etc…
Apparently the Penguins have stated that both he an Malkin will skip the all star game. Glad I didn’t spend a couple thousand to get tickets, plane tickets, hotels, etc for the family to watch the Pens represent
i would be very surprised if anything came about from Crosby missing the weekend…a perfect time if there was ever.
My bad. I thought Snow and the Islanders were taking the Senators route, ie: giving up on this season. Hence the Roloson and Wiz trades.
Apparently not.
———————————————————————— “Young people have seen that a team can play electrifying, fascinating hockey while still behaving like gentlemen.” ~Serge Savard~
He got an ASSET for Roloson, in a trade. 6’4 defenceman who can skate and play the PP.
Nabokov was acquired for NOTHING, and costs next-to-nothing. Still helps the team, if he plays.
People act like Dwayne himself had been put on waivers.
Is it really that hard to understand that “but they just dumped Roloson?!?” is NOT a legit counterpoint?
Zep fan.. you really don’t understand.
Roloson was Traded. For an asset. Player 1 leaves, player 2 arrives. Snow will have to A: pay less money to Roloson, and B: get an defenceman who can help the organization down the line (potentially).
This move is made with two legitimate reasons, as stated above. Hurts the team this year, but helps the future.
If Nabs plays, the signing helps the team this year. That’s it, that’s all. Theres no comparing it to Roloson who was TRADED for a couple of reasons. Trading away ones goalie does NOT mean you “give up on goaltending” for the rest of the season, it just means Snow saw a prospect he liked and wanted to dump salary at the same time.
The signing of Nabs happened after the Roloson deal. Snow is not allowed to help his team (for NO cost) if he sees fit within the NHL rules?
Meh.
I’m not a Wings or Islanders fan. I’m getting too involved. lol
Let their respective fans piss and moan about it.
Go Habs Go!
———————————————————————— “Young people have seen that a team can play electrifying, fascinating hockey while still behaving like gentlemen.” ~Serge Savard~
So you’re saying he knew Nabkov would be available so he got rid of Rolson because of that? If he didn’t, he’s not really looking out for the team then, is he!?
Honestly, I really don’t care one way or the other. It doesn’t involve the Habs.
Somewhere, somehow, I think you have a legitimate point buried in there if Wiz and Rollie were just released or put on waivers. Sheer, blatant, salary dumps.
But, alas, was not the case. It’s the last time i’ll say it, but they got ASSETS in return. The concept of looking towards the future, and helping your team out now, are NOT mutually exclusive concepts. They can coexist.
Haha, Boone. That one is too easy.
You weren’t expecting him to display any sort of narrative consistency, were you? It’s his version of gonzo journalism… and this is bat country.
Believe it or not, Teksavvy is actually Rogers cable internet, but just sold by different name I think. I’m sharing it with my roomate and the dude who lives above me and its been pretty fast and good. Faster than Laraque, definately.
Betcha Teksavvy are the guys hosting the HIO server, with Laraque doing his little shimmy.
Goalies in Montreal have two roles, netminder and scapegoat.
They will lose Muller. The reason is simple – despite injuries and lack of real depth Martin is winning games. He’s not going anywhere for the foreseeable future. So what can you say? Hey stay here for another 3 or so years Kirk and maybe you’ll get a shot!
They’ll let him go because it’s better for his career.
Hi folks,
The Globe is speculating that Pierre McGuire is in the running for Senators GM … and, to speculate on top of speculation, he’s a fan of Kirk “Is Work” Muller.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/senators-set-the-dynamite-and-prepare-to-blow-things-up/article1880269/
I’d hate to lose Muller — he’s pulled off an amazing feat with getting along with: 3 different head coaches; the media; the players. Everyone respects him. But, I guess, those are also reasons why other people would like him in their organizations.
It’s not so much about Crosby missing the ASG. I just wonder how the NHL brain trust views having their premier attraction on the injury list with a concussion. If this doesn’t get their attention …..
While I agree that not having Crosby at the ASG is bad for the fans and the league, I for one am kinda glad he wont be there. It gives us a chance to see some of the other great players in the NHL and not have Crosby jammed down out throats 24/7
I’ll take a stab in the dark and say it’s Mr. hypocrite, Jack Todd. Do I win???
Hypocrites are Rejean Tremblay and Betrand Raymond who lead the Kovalev is a great guy and Koivu is the problem in the room charge! Todd has always supported Koivu.
RT and RB are the biggest hypocrites
the truth is that he should have made the team, he earned a spot. I can name 4 players he outworked and out performed at training camp. you get sent down, you get deflated, the injury, you lose a step. etc hope management understands this and gives him a fair shot this time around. who didn’t like the grit he brought to the habs this fall.
Nothing to do with the above articles, but this has been bugging me since Saturday. Is it just me or has White lost a step or two? I seem to remember him tearing around the ice in pre-season, but I found him relatively sluggish the other night. Has he been injured at all this season? I do like the role he can play on the team, but am concerned that role could be diminished if his footspeed has gone AWOL. Any thoughts?
I said this when he was called up. He was playing like this in Hamilton too. He doesn’t have the spark and energy he had in the preseason. It’s kind of mysery why they brought him up during his low point, versus someone else like Wyman or Russel or even Maxwell.
I believe he was injured right after he was returned to Hamilton. He’s only played 28 games in the AHL this season (out of 44 or so). But you have to be careful putting too much stock in pre-season success. NHL veterans often don’t really hit their stride until sometime during the first month or even later of the regular season. So you’ve got rosters full of NHL veterans taking it a bit easy out there and journeymen or young prospects looking to impress. Not the best measuring stick.
“I was delighted to see Koivu get the ovation he deserved, happier still that he took it to heart. But that doesn’t lessen the guilt of some of those who made his last few seasons here (all of them played after his courageous return from stomach cancer) so unnecessarily difficult.”
I at least agree with that part of Todd’s article.
You beat me to the punch. I was about to say the same thing. On Saturday night a friend was over and I told him that with Bob Cole you actually got 2 games the one you are watching and the one he is calling.
I had to laugh when reading the Martin Leclerc piece about discontent with RDS.
He quotes a francophone fan in Mascouche who said that he prefers to watch CBC or TSN over RDS for Canadiens games.
Who’d a thunk it.
There is an appreciable number of people on here – me included – who try CBC or TSN in hopes of getting a decent show but who are driven by Bob Cole’s incompetence and Pierre McGuire’s presentation to flip over to RDS.
I dont see how anyone could have a problem with Pierre Houde. Mario Tremblay, that I could see.
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
If there was a telecast in Swedish or Brazilian I’m sure a lot of us would be watching that.
Jack Todd weighs in…. He must be on that show biggest loser.
Wow, just Jack Todd know how to rehash old, overblown stories or what? In his calling the fans hypocrites he completely deflects his own hypocrisy over the years. Without looking forward I can almost guarantee that he would have written something about Koivu’s lack of French back in the day. He is no better than anyone else yet he thinks he is. Whatever, ranting here won’t change him since this is the reaction he wants from readers probably lol.
I just know that for a lot of Canadiens fans Koivu was the player that we grew up with over the years and Saturday nights ovation was not an apology to someone we mistreated over the years but to someone who meant a great deal to this city, his team, and his fans. It’s just annoying to see such a negative slant placed on it all.
One could argue the fans never had an issue with Koivu, the media did. The same media that hyped his return. Who are the real hypocrites?
No actually he has a concussion, something you will probably never experience since you lack the required equipment.
My hat goes off to Red Fisher for his excellent article on Saku Koivu and why he will always be remembered fondly by the fans of this team. Absolutely fantastic writing.
Go Habs Go!
What a treat to read all the columns this morning. I get to combine two of my passions in life – the Habs and good writing. It’s a well-known journalistic “secret” that some of the best work is done by sportswriters and we see here why the Gazette, if it was a hockey team, would be a Cup contender.
Boone, like a good centreman, is dishing the puck to his teammates, organizing the presentation of their work and commenting in real time. He does this selflessly, because I believe that two or three of his best observations each blog would form the basis of a dynamite column – if he could spare the dozen hours or so to develop it around a theme. I guess he could just not bother to sleep…
Stubbs should get a star this morning. He leads off with a solid boot in the arse to the officials who were myopic enough to have called that ridiculous penalty on Pouliot – and then takes us to another time and place in describing the hapless Rangers of many years ago. I thought on first read that it should be two columns – but using the general theme of farce it works.
Then we have our mercurial left-winger, Jack Todd – who I love to read. He is incisive – and, at times, divisive, but we get a different and thoughtful take on events. And – sometimes he brings us right out of our seats.
Red Fisher is the line of last defense – an All-Star goalie who comes up big again and again and again. His style is traditional and elegant – no flopping around here.
The Gazette team is diverse and strong – and it’s becoming too rare to see in these days of newspaper cutbacks. Well done.
Red’s looking good.
Stubbs and I appear to be on the same wavelength with regards to the referees. I just had this posted this morning:
Go Habs Go!