Three cliques - major problem or hyperbole?

Nil d · Guru

Three cliques - major problem or hyperbole?

Muller93 · Guru

Nil d wrote:

So now we have identified the three factions in the Habs' dressing room. To repeat: 1. Ribeiro, Theodore, Dagenais, etc - the Francophone clique 2. Koivu/Rivet (possibly others) - mutual admiration society 3. Markov, Kovalev, etc. - the Russian connection. The question now is: Is this such a bad thing? Or should it be dealt with by the new regime, and one big happy family emerge? I remember when I played semi-organized hockey (intra-mural in university and gentlemen's leagues, but that's all I have to go by), we all had our friends in the dressing room. I usually sat next to the same guys, and some of them I would hang around with outside the rink, others not. I frankly didn't see that as being a problem. If, however, some of the factions show animosity towards the others and there's actual ill feelings towards the others, then it affects chemistry on the ice, and we do have a problem. Which wil it be?

Speaking from experience. It depends on the level of jackass-dom coming from the main trouble maker (Ribero). In any sitauation that there are oppossing sides, you usually have one side that is correct. I'll pick Rivet and Koivu thank you very much...

As for Markov, Kovalev, I'm sure as Russians they just find the whole French-English thing tiresome like the rest of us. Ever wonder why Kovalev and Begin ended up fighting?? I'd throw Begin into the francophone group IMO.

Some twits can be straightened out and if that is the case, all will work out. But if Ribero is on the side of an incurable loony toon---my gut tells me he goes. Like I said before, he has 5-6 games before the new regime makes a choice...game one goes to Ribero...

Muller93 · Guru

By the way, if there is any question about who Gainey and Carbo see as the main twits, have a look at recent history:

1. Who took the opening faceoff last night?

2 Who was sent packing to Hamilton?

3 Who played on the fourth line initially last night?

barry33 · Guru

Nilsey- You are right in a sense. There are groups within every team that are closer due to a variety of reasons. But this is where your team leadership (And no, before the Saks love in starts again I am NOT pointing the finger at him, heaven forbid) comes into play. What you need to remember is that the coach is only part of the team in a part-time basis. He is not a buddy or a friend. He does not go out with the boys on the road for a beer. Most times he does not go to the player parties (I do not recally seeing Claudes bald head in the Halloween video). The team chemistry and bonding is looked after by the players themselves. Usually little spats (and yes the best teams have them) are handled as men handle them. So it is up to your team leaders and capains to look after things, not the coach.

Carbonneau and Gainey cannot go in that dressing room and say "ok now..we are all on the same team boys..now little Kovy you play fair and share your Perogies with Stevey Begin". They can, however, identify and remove the worst offenders. Claude tried to do that but was unsuccesful.

AB Habman · Guru

Nil d wrote:

So now we have identified the three factions in the Habs' dressing room. To repeat: 1. Ribeiro, Theodore, Dagenais, etc - the Francophone clique 2. Koivu/Rivet (possibly others) - mutual admiration society 3. Markov, Kovalev, etc. - the Russian connection. The question now is: Is this such a bad thing? Or should it be dealt with by the new regime, and one big happy family emerge? I remember when I played semi-organized hockey (intra-mural in university and gentlemen's leagues, but that's all I have to go by), we all had our friends in the dressing room. I usually sat next to the same guys, and some of them I would hang around with outside the rink, others not. I frankly didn't see that as being a problem. If, however, some of the factions show animosity towards the others and there's actual ill feelings towards the others, then it affects chemistry on the ice, and we do have a problem. Which wil it be?

Nil, you post a quality post that I will answer..I think there is animosity there! That has been the problem all season and it has spilled onto the ice!

Unlike the typical Muller response...blame Ribs...I think every player is responsible and has to put bitterness aside and be professional if this team wants to ever be successfull!

Calling players main twits is crazy! It won't solve anything and I hope that Saks who also shares this mentallity with you grabs some professionalism and as a Captain finally get's this team unified!

As for as who had the opening faceoff, I hope it was Saks as he at least gets paid to do those things. It shouldn't be beyond his role! Who played on the fourth line?....I hope it was Ribs as that is indicative of his play this season but did you notice he earned more ice time than Saks in the third! My point is, GM decisions are also based on pay relative to where a player should fit into the roster and then how they play! This all has nothing to do with Nil's question!

What I will agree with Muller, is that someone started it and it could of been Ribs or Rivet but who cares? When does the Captain rise above it all for the good of the team?

Power · Veteran Member

Everyone of you made some good points. One thing i don´t get, why it´s so damn hard these players to get along. I know that Koivu is good captain and leader, he has proven that so many times in national team, TPS and even few times in Montreal. So what went wrong this time i don´t know. Crying out loud they are crown up men it shouldn´t be so hard.

My point is. Situation there sounds to be too infected to fix without trades. So BG should trade Koivu as long as he is healthy, because he has highest market value of these troublemakers. That could also mean that Rivet must be also traded, because he and Koivu are inseparable. Then BG should choose how you guys say Francophonic captain not Ribs or Dags though. Maybe then would media in there give team a break and they could pick the pieces and try to fix the puzzle. Maybe i am crazy but i like that idea

barry33 · Guru

Power wrote:

Everyone of you made some good points. One thing i don´t get, why it´s so damn hard these players to get along. I know that Koivu is good captain and leader, he has proven that so many times in national team, TPS and even few times in Montreal. So what went wrong this time i don´t know. Crying out loud they are crown up men it shouldn´t be so hard. My point is. Situation there sounds to be too infected to fix without trades. So BG should trade Koivu as long as he is healthy, because he has highest market value of these troublemakers. That could also mean that Rivet must be also traded, because he and Koivu are inseparable. Then BG should choose how you guys say Francophonic captain not Ribs or Dags though. Maybe then would media in there give team a break and they could pick the pieces and try to fix the puzzle. Maybe i am crazy but i like that idea

Power- having rode the buses for alot of years with alot of teams I can tell you that it gets tough to get along. It is like being married to 20 guys (ughhhh I HATE that analogy). You are cooped up in hotels, on a bus/plane, sweaty dressing rooms, restaurants with each other. Little things get magnified 100000 times over the course of a year.People choose sides, and it goes from there. I am not an advocate of trading Saks, but it will really depend on his contract status. If he cannot sign him to a decent deal that makes sense before March , I would look at trading him. But Gainey will find out what the dressing room is like and make the changes that he feels are needed. Koivu and Rivet are pretty close buddies. Is that affecting team chemistry? maybe. Is it the other side with Ribs and Theo? Who knows.

JohnM · Guru

It seems that Kovy might be happy with the new coaching regime. He was interviewed after practice today and feels good about the new coaching staff and they way they ran practice today.

Nil d · Guru

JohnM wrote:

It seems that Kovy might be happy with the new coaching regime. He was interviewed after practice today and feels good about the new coaching staff and they way they ran practice today.

So does this now mean that he's going to put out a 100% effort every night now?

Funny how Koivu gets so much heat from all corners (not from you, John!) but not much is ever said about Kovalev. The guy reminds me of Vladimir Malakhov. Malakhov looked like Bobby Orr one night and like Bobby Schmautz the next. Kovalev gets three spectacular points ones night then takes the next two off. It all looks good to have a point-a-game average, but a little consistency would be nice!

JohnM · Guru

Yup, seems like Kovy gets no pressure. I just hope he doesn't go the way he was in NY cause then the fans will turn...

barry33 · Guru

JohnM wrote:

It seems that Kovy might be happy with the new coaching regime. He was interviewed after practice today and feels good about the new coaching staff and they way they ran practice today.

Yes..and it is very important that w emake sure little Alex is happy (sarcasm dripping off keyboard)