Did Kovy want Julien gone?

JohnM · Guru

Did Kovy want Julien gone?

AB Habman · Guru

JohnM wrote:

What do you think about these statements from Kovy? Habs forward Alex Kovalev said Gainey's style and insistence on moving the puck forward at all times was a welcome change from former coach Claude Julien. "I don't know what Claude was telling the defence, but it looked like they were confused out there and didn't know what to do," Kovalev said. "But the simplest thing is what we've talked about, just move the puck up the ice and move everything forward. "And that was Bob's focus (Saturday), whenever you have the puck move forward, never move back. That made a big difference." Kovalev said that change in philosophy was a major reason his Russian compatriot Andrei Markov broke out with a four-point night just hours after Gainey told reporters that Markov could play better. "I've said many times, ever since I got traded to Montreal, to give that guy room and give him a chance to play so he can show how good he is," Kovalev said. "That's what happened. You can see the talent, you just have to let it go."

It kind of sounds like it John from his comments. Sounds of relief! That blows the theory that it was all Ribs fault! It was everyone who underachieved that cost him his job including Kovy! Men with childish attitudes!

Now page two.....lets hope that Kovy plays with more consistency now that the system is much easier for him and his buddy to understand!

This guy frustrates me to no end! He can float to get a couple points while others like Saks have to work their tale off every single game to try to keep up in production! I quess that's why they call it pure talent! I'm tolerant though because he is a big game player! Take us to the dance Kovy and all your lazy play will be forgiven!

Jay1982 · Guru

Personally I'm not going to take every comment for the next little while seriously, the media right now is in a frenzy, and when someone says something they can play word games and put words in someone's mouth, so I take everything with a grain of salt, unless I hear a statement with my own ears, I dismiss the negative as just the media doing its thing.

barry33 · Guru

Could be John- maybe that explains why the guy has been almost invisible this year? But hey no worries fror Alex. He still draws his 4 million whether he tries or not. As much as I disagree with Therrien's statements about hi steam I do agree with one thing he said. I wonder how some of these guys like Kovalev, who only play 50% of the time would feel if they only got 50% of their salaries? It comes down to what I said before about one of the biggest problems in por sports today. We have abunch of spoiled millionaire athletes who accept no responsibility for a poor performance. It is always the coach's fault, the trainer's fault, your linemate, defenceman, your massage therapist..but never the player. For once I would like to see an underachiving and overpaid hockey player like Kovalev say something like "Well I am sad to see the coach go. I certainly have not played up to my potential". But no. Let's face the media with more of the coach did not do his job rhetoric. In all of the post firing comments I heard, Sheldon SOuray is the only one who made a comment resembling accepting some responsibility. He said that the coach cannot strap the skates on and play. Koivu's reaction was unacceptable as a captain (and puhlllease do not give me the "he is negotiating a contract and needs to be careful what he says". He is supposed to be the team captain and team leader. He is supposed to make the team accountable for their performance. He did not. Koivu is a leader and good captain because of his performance and work ethic on the ice. I need to question his leadership off the ice (ironic how is buddy Rivet basically mirrored Saks' comments when asked about the firing.

Before you go putting down the coach Alex I suggest you go to Walmart and buy a mirror. You know the old saying. Those living in glass houses should not be throwing stones.

-- Edited by barry33 at 07:56, 2006-01-16

-- Edited by barry33 at 08:13, 2006-01-16

Jay1982 · Guru

barry33 wrote:

Could be John- maybe that explains why the guy has been almost invisible this year? But hey no worries fror Alex. He still draws his 4 million whether he tries or not. As much as I disagree with Therrien's statements about hi steam I do agree with one thing he said. I wonder how some of these guys like Kovalev, who only play 50% of the time would feel if they only got 50% of their salaries? It comes down to what I said before about one of the biggest problems in por sports today. We have abunch of spoiled millionaire athletes who accept no responsibility for a poor performance. It is always the coach's fault, the trainer's fault, your linemate, defenceman, your massage therapist..but never the player. For once I would like to see an underachiving and overpaid hockey player like Kovalev say something like "Well I am sad to see the coach go. I certainly have not played up to my potential". But no. Let's face the media with more of the coach did not do his job rhetoric. In all of the post firing comments I heard, Sheldon SOuray is the only one who made a comment resembling accepting some responsibility. He said that the coach cannot strap the skates on and play. Koivu's reaction was unacceptable as a captain (and puhlllease do not give me the "he is negotiating a contract and needs to be careful what he says". He is supposed to be the team captain and team leader. He is supposed to make the team accountable for their performance. He did not. Koivu is a leader and good captain because of his performance and work ethic on the ice. I need to question his leadership off the ice (ironic how is buddy Rivet basically mirrored Saks' comments when asked about the firing. Before you go putting down the coach Alex I suggest you go to Walmart and buy a mirror. You know the old saying. Those living in glass houses should not be throwing stones.-- Edited by barry33 at 07:56, 2006-01-16 -- Edited by barry33 at 08:13, 2006-01-16

I actually have to disagree with you here Barry, Kovalev has a passion for the game in montreal. And he showed it by coming back early, something you mentioned before Julien was fired. Before his surgery Kovalev was far from invisible, and led the team in points. He has only been back a little under a month and has still had very good games, remember he is human and can, and will go into slumps.

Habhead · Veteran Member

I think it's a real stretch to say Kovy wanted Julien out just by that statement. If anything it was a condemnation of Green's work.

But, people will read into certain things and think what they want to . . .

24 Rings · Guru

"A team can't function unless its key players give their maximum." - Bob Gainey 2006/01/14.

This is the Hab's fundamental problem. I would say that with the exception of Begin (who has been factastic this year in my opinion - first half MVP) and maybe Higgins and Bulis lately, NO ONE on this team will ever be accused of giving 110% this season. This applies even more so to their "key guys" - Souray, Ribs, Koivs and Ryder.

Maybe Gainey can change all of this?

-- Edited by 24 Rings at 12:14, 2006-01-16

Nil d · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

"A team can't function unless its key players give their maximum." - Bob Gainey 2006/01/14. This is the Hab's fundamental problem. I would say that with the exception of Begin (who has been factastic this year in my opinion - first half MVP) and maybe Higgins and Bulis lately, NO ONE on this team will ever be accused of giving 110% this season. This applies even more so to their "key guys" - Souray, Ribs, Koivs and Ryder. Maybe Gainey can change all of this?-- Edited by 24 Rings at 12:14, 2006-01-16

I only disagree on Koivu (but that topic has been beaten to death on this forum); the rest take too many nights off.

This has to stop (as it did last game) if the Habs are to get back on track.

24 Rings · Guru

I'd give you the Koivu point, although he appears to take the odd night off (but we've already beaten that horse...).

Time for the boys to show that this IS a play-off team.

plouf · Guru

Jay1982 wrote:

Personally I'm not going to take every comment for the next little while seriously, the media right now is in a frenzy, and when someone says something they can play word games and put words in someone's mouth, so I take everything with a grain of salt, unless I hear a statement with my own ears, I dismiss the negative as just the media doing its thing.

Best post of the week.

Jay1982 · Guru

lol thanks, I made that post early in the morning when I had 1 hour of sleep in 42 hours lol, I thought that all my posts weren't gonna make sense

davidb · Guru

many times I posted that Kovy played like he was not interested. He looked like a step or two behind the play all the time. Ribs appears to have started playing better with the new coach. It just looks funny because if his talent was there weeks ago he should have played better , as far as I am concerned the jury is still out on Kovy