is Koivu going to be around...

flowerpower · Veteran Member

is Koivu going to be around...

barry33 · Guru

As I said in the game thread, this team is in dire need of a heart transplant. I have been around enough hockey teams to recognize when there is a problem in the dressing room and I see it here unfortunately. This cannot and will not be fixed by the coach. It needs to be addressed by the team captains and leaders like Koivu and Rivet. If Ribiero is a problem, then the players need to straighten it out.

It is interesting. When Michel Therrien was fired he said something interesting. "one of the problems I had in Montreal, and all coaches have there, is that I did not have ALL the say in my lineup. I was being told to play certain players that I would have loved to sit. It is tough to be a good coach when someone else calls the shots" (Hockey News)

I hope that is not the case now but I know it is. Sad because what happens is that the guy being told to play certain players (the head coach) will be the one who gets canned, not the guy doing the telling.

Nil d · Guru

barry33 wrote:

When Michel Therrien was fired he said something interesting. "one of the problems I had in Montreal, and all coaches have there, is that I did not have ALL the say in my lineup. I was being told to play certain players that I would have loved to sit. It is tough to be a good coach when someone else calls the shots" (Hockey News) I hope that is not the case now but I know it is. Sad because what happens is that the guy being told to play certain players (the head coach) will be the one who gets canned, not the guy doing the telling.

Wow! That's a bit of a bombshell there, barry! Ask your friend Claude about it sometime.

Figaro · Guru

It's funny because I've had that thought myself. When you see the young star leading their teams and some past stars sitting out, you have to wonder why Montreal is different. Our young stars sit and the "could-have-beens" play. And we lose.

barry33 · Guru

Figaro wrote:

It's funny because I've had that thought myself. When you see the young star leading their teams and some past stars sitting out, you have to wonder why Montreal is different. Our young stars sit and the "could-have-beens" play. And we lose.

Actually this has been known for sometime. Therrien just happened to be the one to voice it. When Ribs was drafted as you recall, the french media had crowned him as the "Next French Canadian Captain of Les Habitants". When Theo and Garon were drafted the organization was elated to have a couple Quebec goalies back in the fold. I have a degree in Marketing and it is what I do for a living. I am telling you that marketing has a TON to do with the lineup being put on the ice in Montreal, more so than any other city in the league. I feel badly for Claude because, although he has not come right out and told me this is the case, he has indicated a certain "persuasion" to play certain players. I will leave it at that for now.

Muller93 · Guru

Nail on the head there Barry33. What Montreal'ers have to recognize is that the 70's are gome. Back then the habs had a monoply on French Canadians. Of course those teams will be great.

Flash forward and its slim pickins for the next French Canadian superstar. Ironically the pride of the province of Quebec could be presenting the biggest hurdle for any future Montreal contender. I mean Ribero???? come on people, he looks like my sister in drag...except she would have more guts.

It's simple. The best players play. period. Like anything else, the best people should be the ones doing the job. Regardless of sex, color,age,disability or language spoken.

Nil d · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

Nail on the head there Barry33. What Montreal'ers have to recognize is that the 70's are gome. Back then the habs had a monoply on French Canadians. Of course those teams will be great. Flash forward and its slim pickins for the next French Canadian superstar. Ironically the pride of the province of Quebec could be presenting the biggest hurdle for any future Montreal contender. I mean Ribero???? come on people, he looks like my sister in drag...except she would have more guts. It's simple. The best players play. period. Like anything else, the best people should be the ones doing the job. Regardless of sex, color,age,disability or language spoken.

Make that the 60's and before, Muller. I don't remember the year it changed but I know Guy Lafleur had to be drafted (what finagelling that took!), and that was 1971. So the 70's powerhouses were largely drafted players (though they had some holdovers from the old system - Cournoyer, Richard, and a few others).

AB Habman · Guru

flowerpower wrote:

Judging from our performance without him in the lineup - we need to keep him. Koivu is one of my favourite habs. Pay this guy and lock him up for 2-3 years. Let the other bums go and sign some good free agents. I hope Koivu decides to stay as well - I have a feeling he won't though. In my opinion the longer we keep ribiero on the team the worse it is. I think he is a big problem in the dressing room - he is a pretty boy that does not focus on his play and I think it reflects on other players.

keep in mind that this team started tanking it when we lost Kovy with Saks in the line up!

Just a thought but maybe Kovy is more valuable!

Muller93 · Guru

Thanks Nil'd. I knew the 70's powerhouse teams were largely built on the "old system". Just was not sure when the change happened. It would be great to have that old system back eh? Lecavlier, Luongo,St. louis, Lemiux, etc. But if the leafs had the same deal in Ontario I am afraid we would be crushed. Don't you think?

How is that for a concept. Atlantic provinces and up North vs Quebec vs Ontario vs the western provinces. Kinda like how the Russian select juniors play the various major junior leagues. What geographical area would win?

Nil d · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

Thanks Nil'd. I knew the 70's powerhouse teams were largely built on the "old system". Just was not sure when the change happened. It would be great to have that old system back eh? Lecavlier, Luongo,St. louis, Lemiux, etc. But if the leafs had the same deal in Ontario I am afraid we would be crushed. Don't you think? How is that for a concept. Atlantic provinces and up North vs Quebec vs Ontario vs the western provinces. Kinda like how the Russian select juniors play the various major junior leagues. What geographical area would win?

Well, the Atlantic, with 2 million people, would definitely be at a disvantage. But we'd have Sidney Crosby! (As well as Brad Richards, Glen Murray, and a few others.) My guess is that it would be a toss-up between Ontario and the West, with Quebec not far behind.

barry33 · Guru

Nilsey- would that mean that I would need to quit oldtimers and play goal for Team Atlantic?hehe. You guys think Theo goes down alot?! When I go down I stay down cause I am too fat and out of shape to get back up.