Spelling Higgins With An "A"

The quote below is from a player, whose leadership has been exemplary since becoming a Montreal Canadien.

"The goal here every year is to win the Stanley Cup. When you play in Montreal, the fans expect to win and everyone player on this team should expect to win the Stanley Cup every year! Don't even bother to come out if you do not feel you can win the Cup!"

Those words of course, are from Chris Higgins, who coach Guy Carbonneau has named as an assistant captain for the 2007-08 season. They were spoken in an interview with McKeen's Hockey, a little over one year ago.

Oddly, Higgins words sound much more reassuring to me than what captain Koivu was misquoted as saying over the summer in regards to the Habs chances - but that's another matter best left in an article about media.

Higgins is a wise choice for the Canadiens assistant captaincy, annointing a player whom many foresee as a future team captain. It is smart as it also gives the team's youth core a strong and resillliant voice among veterans.

As a player who has graduated every level of the game quickly, Higgins is a well rounded player and grounded between the ears. Leadership has always been his calling card.

"Every time I have moved up in hockey there has not been much of an adjustment period" admits the Smithtown, NwYork native.

"I feel that I adapt well to the next level and playing a solid two way game helps me in that regard. I don't rely just on scoring or just on defence. I try to be versatile and I think that helps make the transition easier".

The choice of Higgins as assistant could also have to do with how badly he seems to want to be a leader, without ever coming directly out and saying so.

"I want to be a dynamic player, one who makes big plays" states a confident Higgins. "However I don't think my role changed that much with the team's transactions ( in 2005-06 ), the team still looks to me to play an all around solid game and being on the top line will require me to produce more offensively. I worked hard in the off season and hope I can meet the expectations of this team".



Some might feel that being tagged with an "A" on the jersey is a simple, unmeaningful nod given to appease egotistical veterans looking for stature on a team. Often it can be, and there are examples of it within the Habs own organization for years.

However, when a youngster such as Higgins is branded with a letter, the move takes on several deeper interpretations.

In this case, the Canadiens brass is suggesting Higgins as an example that should be followed. He is but a fourth year player, but yet thinks and speaks with a veteran's tone.

Higgins, despite his age, is prototypical Montreal Canadien in spirit. It could have much to do with his upbringing, having grown up in a New York state Habs household.

"My dad was a fanatical Canadiens fan", he has said, "he can tell you all the rosters and leading scorers going back to the seventies".

Watching Higgins develop, I have seen flashbacks of many great Habs in the game he brings. None of these images remind me of one particular player, but rather a composite of several who wore the CH on their hearts. It is as if someone created him by placing the conjured souls of Habs warriors the likes of Skrudland, McPhee, Lemieux, Carbonneau, Larose, Backstrom, and current Habs captain Koivu into a type of spiritual blender, to be mixed and mushed into a complete whole.

Though Higgins is not a Quebecois, nor is he a Canadian, he is about as born and bred 100% Habitants as a non resident can be.

In pride, he does remind me some of Henri Richard, a player who did a great many things for a team, while not neccessarily defining greatness in any single aspect.

Over the course of the past season, Higgins battled through two major injuries. At the onset of 2006-07, he jetted out of the gate scoring 8 goals and 5 assists in his first thirteen games. He tallied key markers in all facets of the game - even strength, shorthanded, and on the powerplay. Estimations of his projected season totals were running wild when injuries hit.

He missed a prime chunk of the season with a leg injury, and the Habs eagerly awaited his return as his loss left a hole in the lineup that was spiritually difficult to fill. When Higgins returned, it would be to a team he likely didn't recognize as the one he'd last played with in mid November.

The Canadiens were enduring a tailspin brought on by several external happenings and his leadership was desperately craved.

Higgins notched a pair of goals in his return, but after a week of play seemed hesitant and very much unlike his usual self. On less visible nights, he was questioned about his being out of sync due to his previous injury.

The player let it be known that it was not the case, stating loud and clear for all to hear that the injury had been properly rehabed and completely healed. He blamed his hesitance on issues dealing with his own play.

Taking the easy way out, was not an excuse.

During the summer of 2007, it was revealed that what was bothering Higgins was in fact a shoulder injury suffered during the stretch drive. Still, he tallied 14 goals after returning from the initial injury.

As the Habs playoff chances were slipping, Higgins did not want to be on the outside looking in. Despite the fact that his contract was up for renewal as a RFA, he battled while hurt for the benefit of the team.

Perhaps playing alongside the aforementioned Koivu taught him lessons in playing with pain, through perseverance.



Higgins did not not regain the top line status he enjoyed earlier in the season, but still set his sights on helping the team.

"Saku has a great ability to make everyone feel welcome and be a valuable contributor to this hockey club no matter what your role" says Higgins.

"On the ice he is always teaching, giving us little tips on where he wants us to be and where to be on the ice when he has the puck, it makes a big difference because chemistry goes a long way".
This statement from Higgins is from the same McKeen piece, prior to what he endured during the past season.

One can assume he has been placed in a leadership role, for as much as what he has understood before living through it.

Even in hindsight, the leaders perspective has been in place between his ears long before last season's trials.

His approach to how he plays the game, makes him a valuable commodity in any role, no matter what injuries enabled him to offer in the past. His leadership lends to him thinking alongside with a coaches point od view.

"Coach Carbonneau understands that a great deal of this game is mental".

"Positioning and discipline go a long way in his eyes, he had skills but was not a dynamic scorer (when Carbonneau played), however there is a reason he was successful because he understood the game and had tremendous hockey sense", related Higgins.

Higgins could not have known that Carbonneau was an offensive dynamo in junior, who tailored his game upon being assigned a role by the Canadiens in the early 1980's.

"He is trying to translate that to us, he understands that players have different skill sets but there is a basic understanding of the game and he is trying to teach that to us".

For demonstrating a willingness to comply to team goals, and the selflessness that often goes along with achieving them, Higgins is an ideal bridge between management and players. GM Gainey and coach Carbonneau have obviously placed value in his views and work ethic.

His dedication to team pursuits has been recognized by the team in naming him an assisstant captain.

As many have often remarked, I see the Canadiens grooming a future team captain.

And his initials are CH!

Comparing Past And Present Habs

When one operates a hockey blog, inspiration for posts can come from just about anywhere!

I was thinking about this one comedian whose name escapes me, who did a schtick on doctor patient relationships. Mimicing a phychiatrist and a mental patient, the comic went about his routine invoving ink blots and word association, with the answers, of course, revealing details of the patients psyche.

When shown the ink blots the patient is asked to describe the first thing that comes to mind.
Usually in movies, the answers always involve sex. In one movie I recall, after seeing a dozen different blots that reminded him of sexual positions or perversions, the exasperated shrink asks the patient, "Is that all you can think about - sex!" To which the patient shoots back, "Whaddaya want me to think about? You keep showing me all these dirty pictures!"

With association, the psychiatrist tells the patient a word, and the patient replies the first thought that enters his mind.

For example, a patient hearing the word "black", will say "white" if he is a contrarian, a very normal human response. Another patient hearing the word "sky" could say "rain" or "sunshine", and on it goes until a patern of thought is revealed.

So with the Canadiens in mind, I thought I would play this game of association with players names. I placed the names of 25 current Habs players, rookies included and pulled them from a hat. The hitch was, I could not use simply a word to describe them, I would have to associate them to a former Habs player.

Often, the first thought coming to mind didn't really add up, but I wanted to be honest with my answers and analyze them afterwards.

After doing this, I called up a fellow Habs fan and asked him to play along. I described the idea I had in mind and asked if would be willing to associate current players to those of the past.

He refused!

Flatly!

On the grounds, he stated, that today's players "simply just can't compare".

I understood his point of view, but gamely offered that he was in fact missing the point. After some going back and forth, he offered to partake in the word association idea that I originally introduced to him as an explanation of what I was attempting to do with this post, provided I name the player that I likened today's Habs to.

He agreed and I settled for that, knowing his opinions on current Canadiens players were hardly uniform takes. He reads no internet news or print media, and he watches games in french, without understanding the language. To top it off, he works in an environment where hockey is hardly discussed.

In short, his opinions would be quite pure and uncorrupted.

I decided that his take would be interesting, and that they may add something to the post that I could never achieve. My only restrictions on his answers were that they be his initial thoughts - brief, phrase-like, and to the point. He added his impressions to my player choices on some.
I suppose after all this, it is more for others to judge, than it is for me to analyze. I placed my friends comments on each player in parentheses after my first thoughts and the inclination that brought them. I stopped at 20 names, as answers were either becoming ridiculous, redundant, or painfully irrelevant.

So here it goes, for what it's worth!

Alex Kovalev - Pierre Larouche: Funny I would yank this name first! Talented, charismatic, and enigmatic are traits I guess both these stars shared. Both could tantalize, disappoint, and frustrate fans all on one shift! ( Magic - My friend qualified Kovalev as a magician replaying the same tricks.)

Janne Lahti - Petr Svoboda: Not much of an evalution here, seeing as I've watched him play only one game. He looked like a lost little boy on closeups. I imagine he reminded me of Svoboda as a boy amongst men. One game can't leave much more of an impression than that. ( Buddy was stumped as he missed Monday night's game.)



Maxim Lapierre - Mario Tremblay: Plays with the same shit eating grin as le Bleuet Bionique did in his heyday. Stirs it up and acts the innocent part without shying away. Has a smile that annoys rivals to no end. Do not confuse the love of the player with the hatred for the coach! ( A shitster full of pranks.)

Saku Koivu - Mats Naslund: Small European with heart and guts to spare. Koivu is definitely more courageous, having faced the possibility of death in the prime of his career. ( Soul. Injury prone. Has not been the same player since the injury in his second year.)

Michael Ryder - Steve Shutt: Snipers both, Ryder unfortunately is more visable than Shutt was. The two players play like cat burglers, only Ryder gets arrested! ( Dimwit. Stunned and perplexed look on his face, even after scoring a goal. Too slow to be Shutt.)

Roman Hamrlik - Vladimir Malakhov: A one game take that is hardly fair. Just the first name that popped into my head. Likely totally inaccurate. ( Olympics. Wasn't the "Roman Hammer Lick" some kinda medievial emperor sport!)

Andrei Markov - Serge Savard: Subtle, precise and underappreciated until missing. Not much more to add here, just my initial response. ( Mr. Bean. Could also be a woman in drag with those lips on a high cheekbone face.)



Chris Higgins - Claude Lemieux: Minus the theatrics and vulgarities, Higgins brings a similar intensity. Has the tendency for big goals in big games. ( Pug. Has the wide nose of a tenacious dog.)

Tomas Plekanec - Guy Carbonneau / Jacques Lemaire: I was divided here. Pleks plays two roles at a time. He's positional and sly. Sly enough to make opposition players pay for their mistakes. Give him two brilliant wingers and his stats will catapult to more stratospheric heights. ( Shadow. You only realize what he's done, after he has done it.)

Mike Komisarek - Craig Ludwig: Feared but rarely a focal point. Not as ugly or as Ludwig, nor as angled and awkward, Komi is as punishing a player should a rival be suddenly distracted. Both players make daring forwards pay the price. ( Crash. A bull in a china shop.)



Carey Price - Doug Wickenheiser: I blinked here. I too easily could have obviously said Dryden or Roy. I`m not comparing the players or persons involved here. As a longtime fan, I gather that expectations were the inclination behind spitting out Wickenheiser's name. I can't read anything else into this - and don't you! ( Snake oil. I've heard some rumblings about this guy that are too good to be true. What's the deal?)

Ryan O'Byrne - Gilles Lupien / Robert Picard: Tall awkward defenseman with a ton of upside. (Who?)

Mark Streit - Jimmy Roberts: A previous blogpost comparing both made this one too simple. Each player had value in more than one position. Beyond that, for now, I cannot expand on Streit's upside. (French painter. Skinny moustache, sheepish grin.)



Andrei Kostitsyn - Pete Mahovlich / Bobby Smith: Alternately great passers and puck eaters. I've seen both former stars earn boos hanging onto to pucks too long. Ironically, like Kostitsyn, when a goal scoring opportunity finally arises, it is then that they contrarily opt to pass. ( Smooth. Looks very sleek from the bits seen late last year.)

Guillaume Latendresse - Frank Mahovlich: Seemingly slow and deceptive. Becomes impassioned when purpose presents itself. ( A workbench on skates.)



Bryan Smolinski - I drew a blanc here! ( Was he that bald headed Senator?)

Kyle Chipchura - Bob Gainey: A one game assessment. Positional and composed on the ice. ( Who?)

Patrice Brisebois - Patrice Brisebois / Terry Harper: As a lark, first thing to come to mind is he is already, due to injury, reminding me of his former self. At one time he was under valued just as Harper was. That was long ago. (Fuck, is he back! )

Steve Begin - Brian Skrudland: A martyr for the team, willing to throw his smile in front of a shot if it helps win a game. Limited skill wise, but with unlimited dedication. (Warrior. Without consequence to grand outcome of things.)

Cristobal Huet - Ken Dryden: Big, calm, and composed. The two goalies that came from nowhere to win starters jobs from heralded goalies. ( Big. Boring. One quotable, the other silent. )



There you have it. My initial answers are hardly in sync with how I have generally assessed certain players over time. Some of my own intuitions actually surprised me.

In truth, all of these players cannot compare until their names are etched on Stanley Cups.

As young and unacomplished as most of these names are - only time will tell.

Now Doctor, the Habs are 1-2 in exhibition, where's that straightjacket?

Price Will Be Ready When Called - Melanson

Transcribed from Le Journal de Montreal, May 25, 2007.

Montreal Canadiens goalie coach Roland Melanson isn't in need of a reality check. He knows that the entirety of the Montreal hockey media is comparing his newest protege Carey Price's professional debut to that of Patrick Roy twenty years ago.

To recap for those too young for the recollection, after his junior days with the Granby Bisons were over, Roy along with winger and teammate Stephane Richer were invited to join the rans of the Canadiens farm team, then situated in Sherbrooke.

Similar to Price in the Western Hockey League, Roy never played on a very good team. Beginning the Moment he hit Sherbrooke, his career took off to stratospheric heights.

















The Calder Cup took a stroll down Sherbrooke's King St. two months later, in testament to Roy's outstanding performance.

One year later, Roy and Richer, along with five other Sherbrooke teammates, namely Brian Skrudland, Mike Lalor, Gaston Gingras, Serge Boivert, and John Kordic repeated the exploit, this time down St. Catherines St, with the biggest of prizes - the Stanley Cup.

Melanson, who was then a member of the Los Angeles Kings, has the details of the story at his fingertips. Quickly, he places facts into perspective.

"I don't want to suggest that there is a bad team in Montreal at the present time, but the team that won the 1986 Cup was superior and had way more experience."


















Melanson is right, but it's funny how time changes perceptions.

At the time, the Canadiens were considered lucky to have won the Cup, and that it was accomplished mainly on Roy's shoulders.

"The team had five leaders with captaincy in their characters", adds Melanson.

There was Bob Gainey, who was captain at the time, and Guy Carbonneau and Chris Chelios, two youngsters who would become the teams next co-captains. There was also Larry Robinson, who had worn the "C" for half a season while Gainey was on the injured list. He may not have projected the same authority in the Gainey manner, but he was a well respected leader by his teammates. Finally, there was Skrudland, the first Florida Panthers captain who helped his team to the Stanley Cup final in only their third year of existance.

On defense, Robinson was paired with the steady Rick Green, while Chelios had bruiser Craig Ludwig as his partner. Up front was another rookie, one Claude Lemieux, who had the dastardly habit of scoring some very key goals while irritating every opponant he crossed.





















All of this takes nothing away from Roy, quite to the contrary. It's just that Price isn't as likely to be so well surrounded once he reaches the NHL himself.

"Price has everyone excited, including me", says Melanson, with a laugh. "His talent level is undeniable, but he must be given the time to develope.When he's ready to be in Montreal, he will need to be very much at ease."

Melanson wouldn't want to see Price thrown into a lion's den.

"We paid a price for five years. We can't have Carey facing 40 or 50 shots a night the way Jose Theodore had to in those times."

Melanson speaks of a rare jewel, a diamond in the rough, in regards to Price.

"He must be well groomed, guarded with caution, and surrounded with care.

Melanson will be in charge of watching over Price and assures that "when he is called up, you can be sure that it will be because he's ready."

Doan Fudge With Frog Media

You might have read all you care to read about the nonsensical Shane Doan controversy, and how out of proportion the entire fiasco got blown into. In the hockey microscope that Canada sometimes sees itself through, the story easily parlays itself into tragic comedy and burlesque routines. The players (not hockey players, mind you!) who willingly took part in this sorry act, have been resoundingly shamed by its own populace.

The story became a drama because of timing, and for all the dreadfully wrong reasons.
It had everything to do with the game of politics and journalism, and little to do with the game of hockey. It showed that some of our country's best skaters are on Parliament Hill. Others are employed by large newspaper chains.

These stickhandlers of truth deke better than some of our game's best shooters, and they unfortunately brought a wagonload of media along for the ride.

To recap the festering wound, the story boiled down to an alleged racist remark made by Doan two seasons back when his Phoenix Coyotes played a rare contest in Montreal against the Canadiens. After a controversial call against the Coyotes, players milled about, complaining of the call. As a scrum ensued between Phoenix players and game officials, a racial slur was seemingly heard, and a post game report was filled.

Linesman Michel Cormier attested afterwards that Coyote's captain Doan uttered the term "f-ing frogs" when disputing the call. In was brought to public attention at the time when the official's report was filled with the NHL. Upon investigation, all claims were dropped.

The reasons for this become more unclear as the days pass.

The story gained further life when a Quebec provincial MP named Denis Coderre saw opportunity and seized it.

After speaking with Cormier, Coderre decided on Doan as a target for his separatist angst and and political gain. He made public comments on the seemingly dead issue and provoked Doan to the extreme of filling a lawsuit. The inevitable countersuit followed and is still before the courts.

Fast forward to 2007, and the issue was on low simmer until Doan was named to Team Canada. It became a hot topic as Doan was named captain of the team.

The righteous francophone press groaned a simultaneous "How dare they!"

An opportunity such as this, in Quebec separatist political circles, can be seen like a breakaway in sudden death overtime.

Instantly, and without hesitation, Quebec played the racism card. The controversy came to a head with more thrust than ever as the french media of the province saw a light. One day after the press pounced on the controvery, members of Canadian Parliament were looking for an inquiry.

The fools were lining themselves up for ridicule without a clue.


Regardless of the Canadian political party in power, it is a foregone conclusion that they will occasionally bow to kiss some Quebecois butts. In this instance, all parties in opposition to the current government in power, lined up to play the fool. With Quebec always amounting to what is in essense the "swing vote" of political gain, politicians who knew better were lured into showing their stripes.

The ruling Conservative party were blindsided by the amount of media coverage, and gave in to opposition party demands that Hockey Canada, a Canadian government sponsored body, answer as to why Doan, anti- francophone as he was painted, would be named as the team's captain.

The Conservatives had few options to do little else, with votes in Quebec always at stake. The heads of Hockey Canada were brought before the House Of Commons.

What followed shifted perception one hundred and eighty degrees.

Before even suggesting that government mind it's own business, Hockey Canada head Bob Nicholson read a resume of Doan's captain's credentials. They were outstanding, and without blemish. Doan's leadership capabilities, character, and morals were read aloud for all to ponder.

Even IIHF President Rene Fassel weighed in with his wisdom that politicians have no business straying into sports issues.

The people of Canada quickly weighed in, suggesting that all politicians better have more pressing concerns.

The backhanded wallop was felt all the way through the province of Quebec, where columnists and editorialists danced a hypocritical tango seldom seen in La Belle Province.

After pushing the issue, their hypocritical response sifted into the majority, questioning agenda's that were uniquely their own to start with.

What's that old line about folding faster than Superman at the laundromat?

I for one, thought it all a joke initially. I didn't think it would even go that far.

I've always felt that as a bilingual citizen of the country I had a partial beat on how the linguistic sides saw each other. For that, I've always felt blessed. Having been born with what appears to some as a physical handicap, I am no stranger to what can be termed derogatory comments.

The alledged "frog" reference tossed by Doan has been directed at me and never made a dent. I have never been anything less than proud of my French heritage. Upon being called such, a laugh would be all I could muster.

What Doan may have been getting at with his alledged comment, had way more to do with a bias, than a prejudice.

There is a big difference, especially to those not living within the confines of Quebec repression and reaction.

In short, the separatist movement in Quebec thrives on the misunderstanding that its citizens are maligned cross country. It's a partial truth that they themselves have fed. It is also an old ploy to vote garnering that has worked for decades. It uses racism as a catapult for their extreme cause, futile as it has become.

The Doan case was their latest wick to a long fuse in search of a spark. Simply put the hypocrites exposed themselves, all by themselves.

Many unsought out defendants rose to Doan's defense. They trumpeted his Christian values and leadership qualities enough to quench any question of doubt of his role as a leader of men in red and white. And get this, no of them have ever heard him utter a swear word.

The truth be, um, er, damned, shall I suggest.

In the end, it came down to Doan attempting to calm a teammate with the words "Four french officials in Montreal, you figure it out!"

Wow, ain't that a doozy, a player hinting a bias!

I give kudos to Doan for admitting he even said such a thing. That alone could light the fire all over again.

I get it, that the NHL investigation concluded why an official would be so rankled, upon hearing such a daggered jab. It makes me understand why that official would be so ticked as to file a complaint. It questioned Cormier's integrity, and brought up questions about the leagues policies as well.

Placing four french Canadian officials at the Bell Centre, almost deserves its own inquiry. In the past when such situation arose, the french officials seemed to go out of their way to disprove any such bias, often to the detriment of the Canadiens.

The players who are standing up for Doan say, that in frustration, his worst curse comes out as "fudge".

Well ain't that sweet!

This entire footnote was appropriatly swept under a compliant rug by the NHL investigation ages ago, only to be revived again by the Canadian House Of Commons.

My biggest pickle in all of this, is a personal one. It involves journalists that I'd long well respected, who cover the Montreal hockey scene with great knowledge and insight. My advice to them would echo Rene Fassel's words, avoiding the political agenda's entangling sports.

My main beef involves Hall Of Fame scribe Bertrand Raymond of Le Journal De Montreal, who coiled on his own pursuit of the controversy once facts arose. Raymond needed not pursue the issue, his hockey knowledge being well enshrined. One must believe he climbed aboard by reason of personal beliefs. Other Quebec journalists took his lead, as usual.


Raymond on the right, presenting his journalistic award.

It is regrettable. When even the Quebec public showed its disapproval for such nonsense, Raymond stood firm in his racist fallout shelter and maintained his stand.

Sadly, he refuses to aknowledge the difference between a prejudice and a perceived bias.

As the dust of the Doan controversy began to settle, a perfectly choreographed media backstep ensued, with Raymond leading the way. While showing exasperation with how Doan was now being branded a virtual choir boy, he tosses off that former Hab Claude Lemieux had a lexicon of anti-everything slurs that would put anyone to shame.

His thinly veiled absolving of Doan hardly flies - it was almost tongue in cheek. Where Raymond backsteps and slips in his overall view of the entire overreaction, is on an old banana peel named Patrice Brisbois.

A few years back, Brisebois became fed up with being likened to the hopping green reptile species and blew the whistle on an unsuspecting Vaclav Prospal, then of the Senators for uttering the term. Prospal was questioned by the NHL without being fined. His explanation was fairly placid in his defense. Prospal simply stated that he was repeating a saying that was so common place that he'd heard it hundreds of times since he arrived in the NHL without ever even understanding its meaning.

At the time, I laughed in accordance with that view. Raymond brought it up nonetheless, neatly forgetting how the scenario played out.

The unanimous reaction to Brisebois' blathering came from a bevy of french Canadian NHL oldtimers, who essentially suggested that Patrice needed a thicker skin.

Before that story gained momentum, the oldtimers swipe snuffed it out.

Raymond and the french press corps obviously missed that lesson and continue to insist that being termed a frog is derogatory and racist. It's not in the term they insist, it's in the intent.
Well boo-hoo-hoo!

To me, it simply remains a schoolyard alliteration for mocking eight year olds. The children disguised as journalists and politicians have yet to clue in that recess is over.

I don't think I can read Raymond the same way anymore.

May he, and all those who wrote pieces on Doan only to perform journalistic flipflops, go fudge themselves!

In their language of choice!

If you'd like to read Raymond's rants, and you're a f-ing frog like me, here are four articles that document his diatribe. Hop on over and check them out!

Few Former Habs Go On To Win Stanley

When round one of this seasons playoffs wraps up, there could be as many as 10 former Montreal Canadiens left playing in this seasons Cup Quest. As of today, April 20th, here is the list of the 13 remaining below.

Danuis Zubrus BUF
Marcel Hossa* NYR
Craig Rivet* SJ
Francois Beauchemin ANA
Craig Conroy CAL
Mike Ribeiro* DAL
Stephane Robidas DAL
Chris Chelios DET
Matthieu Schneider DET
Jan Bulis VAN
Trevor Linden VAN
Rory Fitzpatrick VAN
Jason Ward TB

* Players traded directly from Montreal to current team.

I recall hearing one time, though there was were no official stats, that very few Montreal Canadiens moved on to other teams and won the Cup with that organization. I remember doing some research on that thought several years back, and it turned out to be true, for the most part.

In recent years, with the amount of players and teams in the league due to multiple expansions, I would have assumed that even more former Canadiens would have fallen into this category.

What I discovered with further research is quite interesting. Since 1955 ( over 50 years back - I had to have a cut-off point somewhere!), only six players traded from the Canadiens went on to win Cups with the teams they were traded to. Considering that the Habs must have dealt close to 300 assets since the 1960's, that is an incredible stat.

Of the six players, four would familiar to fans today, though none remain in the league. The most common trade, that of Patrick Roy, along with Mike Keane to Colorado, accounts for two of the six players. Roy and Keane would win the 1996 Stanley Cup together in Denver, the same season of the trade. Keane would win again with Dallas in 1999, before Roy won his fourth in total in 2001.

In 1990, Montreal dealt Claude Lemieux to New Jersey. Lemieux would win a Cup with the Devils in 1995, be part of a three-way trade to Colorado where he'd win a Stanley Cup the following year in 1996, before ending up back in Jersey to win a third away from Montreal in 2000.

Stephane Richer, a former two-time 50 goal man with Montreal, was shipped to Jersey also, in 1991. Richer would be part of the 1996 Devils win, before returning to Montreal for a short, and less successful spell. The Richer to Jersey-deal brought Kirk Muller to the Habs, abig part of Montreal's 1993 Stanley Cup win - call that one even.





















The other two Canadiens players to depart directly from Montreal, are somewhat more obscure. Dave Lumley was a forward in the Canadiens organizations from 1974 to 1979. While he was a decent prospect at the time, Lumley only played 3 games with the Canadiens before being sent to the Edmonton Oilers where he would win the Cup in 1984. Lumley was originally dealt to the Oilers in what was termed in the day, a gentleman agreement. He was traded for no returns, other than an Oiler promise not to choose a different player in an expansion draft for WHA teams at the time. The Oilers would send him to the Hartford Whalers the following season, only to reaquire him in time for their 1985 Cup win.









From 1984, we must go all the way back to 1961 to find the last of the six players. Dollard St. Laurent, a stay at home defenseman, was sent to the Chicago Black Hawks in 1958, while the Canadiens were in the midst of winning five straight Stanley Cups. St. Laurent would still be with Hawks in 1961, helping them to win their for Cup in ages.

Another statistic that is equally interesting is that in the 51 seasons since 1955, only 14 other former Montreal Canadiens have gone on to win the Stanley Cup, after moving from teams that the Habs traded them to. Other than the names of Mark Recchi (2006 Carolina), Guy Carbonneau (Dallas 1999), and Chris Chelios (Detroit 2002), most of the players were bit parts in the Canadiens schemes.

Other than Brian Skrudland in 1986, none of these 14 players would reach the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens. More than half of these names would barely account for a full season in the NHL with Montreal.

If history has any say, things do no look good for the playoff chances of Rivet, Ribeiro, and Hossa.

Mark Recchi - Carolina 2006
Turner Stevenson - New Jersey 2003
Chris Chelios - Detroit 2002
Patrick Roy* - Colorado 2001
Claude Lemieux - New Jersey 2000
Guy Carbonneau - Dallas 1999
Mike Keane - Dallas 1999
Brian Skrudland - Dallas 1999
Patrick Roy* - Colorado 1996
Mike Keane* - Colorado 1996
Claude Lemieux - Colorado 1996
Claude Lemieux* - New Jersey 1995
Stephane Richer* - New Jersey 1995
Gordie Roberts - Pittsburgh 1992
Gordie Roberts - Pittsburgh 1991
Rick Wamsley - Calgary 1989
Ric Nattress - Calgary 1989
Mark Hunter - Calgary 1989
Keith Acton - Edmonton 1988
Dave Hunter - Edmonton 1987
Dave Lumley - Edmonton 1985
Dave Hunter - Edmonton 1985
Pat Hughes - Edmonton 1985
Dave Hunter - Edmonton 1984
Dave Lumley* - Edmonton 1984
Carol Vadnais - Boston 1972
Eddie Johnston - Boston 1972
Eddie Johnston - Boston 1970

Canadiens And Penguins - A Rivalry In The Making?

Some termed it passionate hockey at it's best. Anyone watching the Habs and Pittsburgh over the last two meetings would be hard pressed to disagree. The atmosphere was pure playoff hockey in Febuary.

These games had it all. Comebacks, controversy, great plays, great goaltending, and Sidney Crosby at his best and worst.

Add in that the duo of former Habs GM and coach, Andre Savard and Michel Therrien man the Pens bench, and it doesn't take a crystal ball to see where all this steam could erupt if a playoff matchup were in the cards.
In just the space of a little more than 120 minutes of hockey, there have been enough highlights of the controversial variety to fill several separate columns and stand alone pieces.

From the drop of the puck Thursday night, there was the Crosby - Maxim Lapierre "Was it is really a butt end?" incident. Lapierre, it has been noted, has long been a thorn in Crosby's side. Two seasons back, in the QMJHL, Lapierre was employed to shadow and irritate Sid the Kid, and came out on the good end of a hat trick. There's a history between the two that appears far from over.

Off the faceoff, Lapierre shoved Crosby to ice after losing the draw. Crosby's much talked about "excellent, low center of gravity" didn't help much as Lapierre caught him off balance. Crosby attempted to make it look as though he'd been butted, but a second camera angle defied his claim. A player spiked in such a manner would bend forward initially and not fall backwards. Hockey's new Lawrence Olivier, was not born yesterday when it comes to drawing penalties.

The act is beginning to wear thin. In an incident from Saturday's game, Crosby was accidently high sticked by the shaft of Francis Bouillon's graphite forward hacker, and he dropped like Wyle E. Coyote's anvil. While a call would have been totally legitimate here, Crosby's antics are fostering doubt among the black and white stripe set. It seems that when Sid adds the ketchup and mustard to the hotdog, the refs are less and less inclined to point skyward.

Crosby nets many comparisons to Lemieux for his on ice skill and ability, but this is more in the vein of Claude Lemieux, the former Hab and Devil most often associated with faking injuries. Lemieux, Claude, employed this schtick beyond exhaustion and effectiveness, leading to Pat Burns, his former coach, pre-empting the teams very trainers from participating in the folly.

Crosby actually got trash talked down on the subject by one-goal man, Aaron Downey. Yapping from the benches ends, the two exchanged grocery shopping secrets, according to Downey, who admitted that his rant pointed to Crosby's premier player status, and how such behavior chipped away at such esteem. I'll never likely get to suggest this ever again, but may Sidney learn this lesson from the mouth of a one goal man, for the best interests of hockey fans everywhere.

According to Downey, the conversation went like this:

"We were having a few words - (Recchi) was telling me his philosophy on life, and I was telling him mine," Downey said, setting off in his unique orbit.

"It seemed to work. I think I had a better world view than he did. He was more materialistic and I had a deeper sense of what was happening. He didn't like that, with his comeback, so I gave it to him a little more and Sidney tried to defend him.

"A lot of words were used, like nullified and patriotism. I ain't gonna lie to you, I had a lot of fun out there. I haven't played in a month, and for the first couple shifts, it was like: 'Holy smoke, this is fast hockey.' "

Sidney, we all want to keep on loving you, so ditch the act. It's unbecoming of you.

Colby Armstrong on the other hand, developed the first case of Habsfearflu. He simply did not show up due to some mysterious injury. How convenient!

As soon as coach Guy Carbonneau suggested that Armstrong would surely be playing with his head up on Sunday, the Penguins forward did what he did in his fight with Souray - he wimped out.

It's likely that coach Therrien smartly removed the element of retribution from the game. He is guiding a young team in full dynasty metamorphosis, and surely doesn't relish the distraction. He's also wise enough to understand about playing into the whole mess in the magnified hockey microscope that is the city of Montreal. Having coached in Montreal, and being the first QMJHL bench boss to take his team to a Memorial Cup in twenty-five years, Therrien is nobody's fool. In his junior apprenticeship, he was in fact viewed as the gooniest of hard-ass coaches, hell bent on winning in the allies as much as on the ice. His silence and "no comment" spoke volumes on the lessons learned.

Crosby, in a sideline story, did leave behind one very classy gesture in Montreal. After having been interviewed between periods on RDS, he realized that there was something important that he wanted to say. He asked team mate Mark Recchi to relay a message on air for him before changing his mind and doing it himself during the second period intermission. Appearing right after the Recchi interview, Crosby popped in to say hello to friends and fans from the Rimouski area. A nice touch.

Much has been written on the Jekyl and Hydeness of the Canadiens of late. Which team shows up is too often being determined by the percieved calibre of the opponants. It has been discussed that lack of emotion has been at the rotting core of some very dismal showings. The heart of the team is questioned at times, leadership as well. The term "stupid penalties" enters the argument at every turn.

All are valid points, but I must open the wound that is penalty calls.

You can term it "taking stupid penalties" in one regard, but too often it is a case dumb calls being made. The Canadiens in this view are absolutely the most fouled against team when it gets down how officials have been calling their games. Look no further than last Thursday's call against Ryder and the Souray fiasco that followed. There is an obvious bias playing out in some games, with certain officials. In Saturday's game, the calls tilted in favor of the Penguins by a huge margin.

I often find that when the Habs are off their mark, these officiating inconsistancies are at the heart of it. They are duped by it into to playing a timid brand of hockey that is not theirs. They look off balance and out of sync, they stop hitting and pursuing the puck with the same grit, and the lines are all skewred for timing and become incompatible.

But lo and behold, the Canadiens are the best third period team in the league. They have registered 18 points ( 7 wins and 4 SO/OT losses ) when trailing after two periods, almost a third of their seasons total so far. What accounts for this abnormality?

Simply, it is the long standing but unwritten league policy of putting the whistles away in the third period.

If I were an NHL GM, I'd hire a full time scout or two, just to get a handle on the calling tendencies of certain officials games. A few days before the team has to deal with the evolving hybrid of make-it-up-as-they-go-alongness, a team meeting could be held to say that so and so has a habit of extremely chintzy calls in the hooking department. Such informational strategies might actually become the norm should officiating continue to be so atroscious.