The Sky is Falling

barry33 · Guru

The Sky is Falling

NorthwindNS · Veteran Member

barry33 wrote:

As I said in the post game post, I am getting to the point that I do not want to go read the posts on this site (even after a win) because to be frank (or barry in my case) I am just getting plain depressed. For once I would like for someone to come on here and post some positives. Oh sure, now and then you guys realize that your rants are starting to sound like a bad country song (I lost my wife, my job, my truck broke down and I have been drunk for a week) and you throw in the token positive comment. But overall it is horrible. I honestly expect that is why we seldom see the young Johab on here anymore. He usually had upbeat and positive things to say.
Nil'd you asked me if CJ ever went to any of these sites and read the comments. My answer would be I do not know but I expect not. He is faced with enough negatives from the Montreal media (at least 5o NHL head coach's in disguise as reporters) that he would probably become suicidal if he read some of the posts on here. We talk about lack of effort. I do not see that. You do not consistently outshoot opponents with lack of effort. What we have is what my newly installed hardwood floor has right now. Lack of finish (well except for Saku). We fired 41 shots at Biron last night. That is not lack of effort. Most nights that should be enough to win you a hockey game when you get decent tending like Danis gave them last night. Do we have laspes in effort during games? Of course we do. But in the new NHL EVERY team in the league does. Although these guys are highly conditioned athletes, to ask them to go straight out for 60 minutes for 80 plus games a year is unrealistic. (Just as I expect most of you do not go straight out for your 8 hour shifts at your jobs). Every NHL team I have seen play this year (including Ottawa) has lapses in effort or execution during games. The difference is, that the Ottawa's of this league are deep and talented enough to overcome it. When Ottawa decides it needs to step it up a notch they do as does Montreal. The difference is that when Ottawa does it they capitalize. The Habs do not have the snipers to do so.
We have needs that need addressed by Gainey no question. We have overachieved to date given the talent and age of our team. That does not mean it is the end of the world. It means that we, as fans, need to adjust our expectations a bit. Have a tall glass of reality here. But boys and girls, try your best to get off of the poop train here. In 2 weeks the tone has gone from "Wow we are contenders" to "Wait til next year?!???". 20 some games into the season? I fully expect that if we were to beat Toronto 10-0 tonite that the comments I would read here tomorrow would be "ya but did you see Theo ALMOST let in that goal in the 3rd".
On a lighter note, I am off to My company Christmas party tonite so will not be able to watch the game in it's entirety, however I will be staggering to my hotel room when I can for a smash of the Captain and to check on the score. I ask for your prayers that I do not do anything tonite that necessitates company management placing me on waivers Monday morning (last year I took my Habs tie and put it around my head like a bandana and grabbed the Microphone from the DJ and started hollering Go Habs Go. Nice Barry, Nice. Thank God I work for a french Canadian company.

I think your batching this whole boards post. Two or three posters talked about next year, and I know, I am one of them. But to complain about this whole board. Come on! Respect peoples opinions and don't always think your always right. Talk about negative posts - read your post! Thats negative.

macneil · Guru

i along with others on this board have no problem if we lose and the effort is there , but just because we had 41 shots doesnt mean we played well , those shots were from the outside ,on a bad angle or from a distance , i would like to see how many rebound shots we had ,or screened shots, id bet we could count them on 1 hand .ill say it once again we did not compete last night dispite outshooting them , we outshot washington 2-1 but we did not compete in that game either in between we played better against atlanta . so if they could give a consistant effort we would be happy win or lose.

Muller93 · Guru

Geesh Barry 33, sure you were not into the "dark Captain" already? I for one find most posts very good with some very insightful comments. Most if not ALL my posts single out one glaring weakness on this team because I am convinced if it were addressed, things would be better. Yep...second line center. Sorry if it's negative. But sometimes the truth is a bit negative. Sugar coat...I don't think so

plouf · Guru

I agree with barry on this one.

But I think we are just typical Habs fans. A bit panicky and impatient with not being dominant. It's the problem with being used to being one of the top 5 teams for about 50 years.

NorthwindNS · Veteran Member

plouf wrote:

But I think we are just typical Habs fans. A bit panicky and impatient with not being dominant. It's the problem with being used to being one of the top 5 teams for about 50 years.

Well put.

davidb · Guru

I agree with u Muller 93 in total

AB Habman · Guru

Why apologize for any of our posts whether they are negative or not! This board is about a democracy to base our opinions!

The person that should apologize is the person generalizing and self righteously patronizing every poster!

Barry, as you say, if they are too negative for your coaching or goaltending ears then don't read them!

But keep in mind, I for one read your posts even if they are long and appreciate them like the others!

barry33 · Guru

Uhmmm relax Ab

davidb · Guru

I think in the future if somone does not agree with your post, they can state their opinion. I respect that. It is when you make a post and someone disagrees with it,they reply like they are talking to a 2year old. They have no consideration that you have been a habs fan for 10 20 30 plus years.

-- Edited by davidb at 21:57, 2005-11-26

JohnM · Guru

By the way, incase anybody hasn't noticed, the SKY IS FALLING. We've lost 6 of our last 8 games. The early start and 1 goal wins are all but behind us. We are past the quarter point in the season and starting to slip in the standings. I don't mind losing when we play well but to lose to WAS and BUF, there's no excuse for that.

davidb · Guru

Well Johnm look this week Ottawa Buffalo again and LA bad week coming up. I hate to say it but we may be 500 soon.

AB Habman · Guru

davidb wrote:

I think in the future if somone does not agree with your post, they can state their opinion. I respect that. It is when you make a post and someone disagrees with it,they reply like they are talking to a 2year old. They have no consideration that you have been a habs fan for 10 20 30 plus years. -- Edited by davidb at 21:57, 2005-11-26

I have been a fan for 30 years and will continue to post on any topic negative or positive!

I don't need to be patronized or told to relax!

davidb · Guru

I agree with you habman. I have always tried to state my opinion. If I did not agree with a post, I would restate my opinion. I would never post like I have total disregard for someone else. I love to read everyones opinions about the team, the games and what ever else is on their mind. I never have, and never will think I know more than anyone else on this board.

AB Habman · Guru

davidb wrote:

I agree with you habman. I have always tried to state my opinion. If I did not agree with a post, I would restate my opinion. I would never post like I have total disregard for someone else. I love to read everyones opinions about the team, the games and what ever else is on their mind. I never have, and never will think I know more than anyone else on this board.

Thanks! I appreciate your posts also!

NorthwindNS · Veteran Member

AB Habman wrote:

davidb wrote:
I think in the future if somone does not agree with your post, they can state their opinion. I respect that. It is when you make a post and someone disagrees with it,they reply like they are talking to a 2year old. They have no consideration that you have been a habs fan for 10 20 30 plus years. -- Edited by davidb at 21:57, 2005-11-26

I have been a fan for 30 years and will continue to post on any topic negative or positive!
I don't need to be patronized or told to relax!

Thanks man! Your totally right, this board is about the negatives and positives, and now we have mostly negatives.

NorthwindNS · Veteran Member

JohnM wrote:

By the way, incase anybody hasn't noticed, the SKY IS FALLING. We've lost 6 of our last 8 games. The early start and 1 goal wins are all but behind us. We are past the quarter point in the season and starting to slip in the standings. I don't mind losing when we play well but to lose to WAS and BUF, there's no excuse for that.

....and it will continue to fall until we get our act together!

Habtastic · Guru

Come'on guys, most of you are sounding like a bunch of pre-schoolers who have been scolded and stuck in a corner... I'm surprised none of you called Barry33 a stupid-head or something. Suck it up! The point is is that although we are going through a rough-patch, we are banged up, have young team that tends to panic a bit, have a couple of players that will be moved when the right deal can be found, BUT we are well in the play-off hunt, we are an exciting young team with loads of potential (just look at our farm!) and we will be a strong club for many years to come. So RELAX, grab an EXLAX or whatever it is you need and just enjoy the beginnings of a great young team that will have its share of hardships. Let's bond together to support our Habs, not split off into factions. Here's an idea and a challenge, for eveything negative you put in a post, you should also add something positive... and positives can always outnumber the negatives... try it for 30 days or your money back!

Habtastic

barry33 · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

Why apologize for any of our posts whether they are negative or not! This board is about a democracy to base our opinions! The person that should apologize is the person generalizing and self righteously patronizing every poster! Barry, as you say, if they are too negative for your coaching or goaltending ears then don't read them! But keep in mind, I for one read your posts even if they are long and appreciate them like the others!

Ab- I for one did not ask anyone to apologize for any comments they made as I will not apologize for my opinion. As for self-righteous and patronizing I do not know where that came from. Like everyone else here, I have an opinion and I respect every one else's. The purpose of my rant was just to wake us ALL up and have us try to get off the negative bandwagon. And yes at times I too can be negative (as that post was very negative). But I really do not feel the need for people to get personal here (ie "your goalie or coaching ears"). I simply made the point that I felt that we were all being too negative on the board lately and needed to look at some positives. If the methodology came across the wrong way I apologize. That was not my intention. GO HABS

brooklynhabfan · Guru

Wow! if only the habs had this sorta fight in them...

But seriously, there's probably always going to be a slightly negative tinge to a board like this because having a negative reaction is going to make you want to vent just a little more.

When things are going great there's no room for you, me and the postman to prove that our coaching insights are the ones that are going to correct the inept course of the pros that have been hired to do the job

I think a lot of it boils down to whether or not the post is an old retread(Theo sucks! Ribs is dogbutt!) without any new insights, or a carefully crafted, genius work of art (see any of my posts for further illustration of the latter)

plouf · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

davidb wrote: I think in the future if somone does not agree with your post, they can state their opinion. I respect that. It is when you make a post and someone disagrees with it,they reply like they are talking to a 2year old. They have no consideration that you have been a habs fan for 10 20 30 plus years. -- Edited by davidb at 21:57, 2005-11-26 I have been a fan for 30 years and will continue to post on any topic negative or positive! I don't need to be patronized or told to relax!

Hey guys, are you writing your posts for yourself to read, or for others to read?

If it's for others, then realize that some people are going to tell you your posts are lame, patronize you, whatever....that's the way it goes. If you stick something in a public forum, don't think you won't have your opinions disagreed with, sometimes in a dismissive way. If you're ranting in your living room, nobody cares. But if you're going to post on this board, prepare to get patronized or told to relax once in a while, especially if you post a lot. As brooklynhabfan said, if the posts got some content (and it's not the same old same old) then great. I like the debates and arguments on this board (only reason it's any fun at all).

I'm saying this as someone who enjoys your posts, btw. Just want to stick up for barry33 on this one.

NorthwindNS · Veteran Member

plouf wrote:

AB Habman wrote:
davidb wrote: I think in the future if somone does not agree with your post, they can state their opinion. I respect that. It is when you make a post and someone disagrees with it,they reply like they are talking to a 2year old. They have no consideration that you have been a habs fan for 10 20 30 plus years. -- Edited by davidb at 21:57, 2005-11-26 I have been a fan for 30 years and will continue to post on any topic negative or positive! I don't need to be patronized or told to relax!

Hey guys, are you writing your posts for yourself to read, or for others to read?
If it's for others, then realize that some people are going to tell you your posts are lame, patronize you, whatever....that's the way it goes. If you stick something in a public forum, don't think you won't have your opinions disagreed with, sometimes in a dismissive way. If you're ranting in your living room, nobody cares. But if you're going to post on this board, prepare to get patronized or told to relax once in a while, especially if you post a lot. As brooklynhabfan said, if the posts got some content (and it's not the same old same old) then great. I like the debates and arguments on this board (only reason it's any fun at all).
I'm saying this as someone who enjoys your posts, btw. Just want to stick up for barry33 on this one.

Well put plouf!

Johab · Guru

Barry your almost right about my absence. The reason i barely post is because the topics on this board are just repeats of previous ones with different wordings. Theo is terrible, Saku is too small, Ribeiro is a pussy, Souray is over-rated, the team is turning on Claude. I just dont see half the things this board sees and i watch every game. Something im sure most of the people on this board dont do yet they are the first to critisize. I've stuck up for my opinion on things as has everyone else but because im Pro-Theo or Pro-Saku im wrong. We have one of the best captains in the league. The guy gives it his ALL every game. Must your captain score 2-3 points a game to get some of your respect? Must your captain be 6 foot 5 skate like the wind and hand out a crushing blow to every single person on the ice from the opposing team before he gets your respect? Must your goalie stop 49 of 50 shots before he earns your respect? To some on this board thats what it seems to be. What really made me question this board is when someone said the team is turing on CJ. What piece of evidence is that based on? Claude is out there yelling WITH his team shaking his head in disgust and yelling at the refs breaking his ass for his team. And his team listens to him. Notice how our team DOESNT give up. How many last 5 mins or last min or even last second goals do we have? How many times have we come back from a deficit to force overtime in some games we just dont deserve to be in. eg. Ottawa, Toronto, Buffalo. And this sudden fall in the standings really isnt that big of a deal. To someone who actually KNOWS hockey. Anyone in their right minds KNOWS that we arent good enough to hold 1st place in the conference all year. Just be happy we were able to hold it longer than the first week of the season. The best this team will finish this year is 4th. And THAT IS reachable. Thanks to seeding that is where we will sit. Get use to it. If we fall down to 5th, 6th, 7th who cares, at least we are making the playoffs. And we all know we are capable of taking any team in our conference out if we are on our game. This team always steps it up in the playoffs. We have never really been out of a game ALL year. Even that 5-1 thumping from Washington wasnt that bad, look at the goals in that game, they arent exactly the nicest. A couple bad bounces and we're down 3-0 in the first period. You cant expect much from a team when your down that much that early in a game. We are habs fans, we expect the best from our team and dont settle for anything less. Thats what makes us so passionate about our team. Good or bad i love this team, as all the rest of you do. But Barry made a really good point. As negative as this board sometimes is, its nice to hear some good about this team to remind us what it is we love about them. Im sure thats all he was trying to say.

plouf · Guru

Whew.! Long dense post.

But I agree with absolutely everything you just said. This team is OVERACHIEVING, and has a 14-6-4 record with lots of young players and already injuries to Bulis, Bonk, Souray, Kovalev, Zednik, etc...Effort has never been the issue, although execution has. I think maybe Bonk and Zednik, for example, will take some time to get going because of injuries.

I'm predicting 5th-6th place and an upset of someone in the playoffs, and a lot of excellent experience for this really talented bunch of kids. Plus by the end of the season either Ribeiro and Souray will have stepped it up, or they will be dealt in the off-season.

NorthwindNS · Veteran Member

plouf wrote:

Whew.! Long dense post.
But I agree with absolutely everything you just said. This team is OVERACHIEVING, and has a 14-6-4 record with lots of young players and already injuries to Bulis, Bonk, Souray, Kovalev, Zednik, etc...Effort has never been the issue, although execution has. I think maybe Bonk and Zednik, for example, will take some time to get going because of injuries.
I'm predicting 5th-6th place and an upset of someone in the playoffs, and a lot of excellent experience for this really talented bunch of kids. Plus by the end of the season either Ribeiro and Souray will have stepped it up, or they will be dealt in the off-season.

Agreed, but you talk about how effort has never been the issue. A main topic on the board has been that the Habs aren't playing a full 60 minutes. I didn't get to watch the game at TOR, but I did the see the BUF game. We played an excellent first 5 minutes of the first period, then we died down and BUF dominated. We then came back in the second but not for long. Then we dominated the end of the third. I know we can't dominate the entire game, but at some points the boys seemed either lazy or tired. Is this a lack of effort? I dont really know. All of these players have talent. I cant wait for Souray to step it up!

-- Edited by NorthwindNS at 15:30, 2005-11-27

davidb · Guru

If we must wait for Kovy to return to get the team motivated, well so be it I hope however they are better than that and can rebound. I have watched them play this wide open play now for games and come up a loser. Injuries are part of the game and unfortunately we are going through our cycle early in the year. Kovy needs to return and Souray not only needs to return but he needs to get out of slow motion mode