Post Mortum

barry33 · Guru

Post Mortum

Ando · Guru

ANYONE who supports Koivu as Captain and leader of this team needs to seriously question what is going on behind the scenes in my opinion!

This guy has been just plain brutal. Is he sulking because Theo is sitting? Is he hurt again? What gives???

The guy sure doesn't look like someone who whats a big juicy contract!

...I'm gonna have a real hard time watching these guys go off to Italy next month for some R&R!

Nil d · Guru

barry33 wrote:

"They had a power play five or six minutes in that really disrupted what we were trying to accomplish in the first period," Canadiens coach Bob Gainey said. "In the second period, we were in the box five times I think for anything from clipping toe nails to anything else they were calling." For those looking for answers, the statement above by the new coach speaks volumes. Instead of calling a spade a spade, he prefers to have the audacity to try to blame officials. No wonder this team is so pathetic. The players have no accountability because the coach is not holding them accountable!! Cmon Bobby. That game had absolutely NOTHING to do with officiating. Were theer a couple questionable calls? Of course. But the bottom line is that your team was lazy and most of the calls were lazy penalties.

Funny how he fired the coach the last time he team went into a team-wide funk. Guess he won't be doing that this time, eh? It must have been the refs' fault...................

wright · Veteran Member

The fact that the Canadiens and Koviu have not gotten together on a contract extension speaks volumes as to the captains future with the team. There is no future, Koviu willl file for free agency and sign elsewhere next year. it is disheartening to watch his lackluster play on the ice, but he is far from the only one. This team has only marginal talent. Perhaps more damaging is a lack of pride and work ethic. A major rebuild ing project is required again... It won't happen quickly because a majority of free agents do not want to play in Montreal, so drafting prospect becomes the only way to fill the holes,and even if you have a good draft it takes years before those players have an impact on the team.

barry33 · Guru

wright wrote:

The fact that the Canadiens and Koviu have not gotten together on a contract extension speaks volumes as to the captains future with the team. There is no future, Koviu willl file for free agency and sign elsewhere next year. it is disheartening to watch his lackluster play on the ice, but he is far from the only one. This team has only marginal talent. Perhaps more damaging is a lack of pride and work ethic. A major rebuild ing project is required again... It won't happen quickly because a majority of free agents do not want to play in Montreal, so drafting prospect becomes the only way to fill the holes,and even if you have a good draft it takes years before those players have an impact on the team.

I agree he is far from, the only one. He has alot of company in Zednick, Kovalev, Theo, Souray etc. But as the Captain I have seen enough. He has been there through 6 coaches. His statements and inaction during this season have spoken volumes as to his leadership ability. I was willing to cut him some slack because he was giving an effort. Now I do not see even that. As Demers said last night., there is no passion on this team and passion begins with the Captain. What do we do now? Fire another coach? No.

Jonny G · Senior Member

I hope that what BG told the media was quite different than what he told the players behind closed doors!

AB Habman · Guru

Ando wrote:

ANYONE who supports Koivu as Captain and leader of this team needs to seriously question what is going on behind the scenes in my opinion! This guy has been just plain brutal. Is he sulking because Theo is sitting? Is he hurt again? What gives??? The guy sure doesn't look like someone who whats a big juicy contract! ...I'm gonna have a real hard time watching these guys go off to Italy next month for some R&R!

Just to add to that, many think Sundin is worse than Saks. Sundin is in the middle of big time trade rumours! He faces the music and the media! Admitting that his team plus himself are struggling!

When was the last time you heard Saks face the music to his fans?

plouf · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

Ando wrote:
ANYONE who supports Koivu as Captain and leader of this team needs to seriously question what is going on behind the scenes in my opinion! This guy has been just plain brutal. Is he sulking because Theo is sitting? Is he hurt again? What gives??? The guy sure doesn't look like someone who whats a big juicy contract! ...I'm gonna have a real hard time watching these guys go off to Italy next month for some R&R!

Just to add to that, many think Sundin is worse than Saks. Sundin is in the middle of big time trade rumours! He faces the music and the media! Admitting that his team plus himself are struggling!
When was the last time you heard Saks face the music to his fans?

In the past 5 years, Koivu has faced the fans on many an occasion.

The irritating thing is that if Koivu was playing well, we'd be hearing about his upcoming free agency. He's in a lose-lose situation with you guys.

This is just getting to be pure ad hominem demonizing. So lame.

Ando · Guru

...when was the last time you heard ANYTHING from Saku's fans?

plouf · Guru

I don't know what you mean "Saku's fans".
I'm one. You're hearing from me aren't you?

JohnM · Guru

No point in saying anything to the whiners and complainers on this board. The negative energy you guys put off is enough to kill a dead rat.

Suck it up boys. You aren't playing the game. You don't know what's happening behind the scenes. Let's let the season unfold and BG do what is needed.

The main reason Saku wouldn't sign here is fans like you. Actually most players don't want to come here because of that.

barry33 · Guru

plouf wrote:

I don't know what you mean "Saku's fans". I'm one. You're hearing from me aren't you?

Look I am not here to poop on Saks. he has given too much to the organization and I have way too much respect for him as a player and a human being. But I strongly feel that for the good of the team, and, just as importantly, for the good of Saku, it is time for a change. Just like it was time for a coaching change. Everyone laughed at Boston when they traded Thornton (who, like Saks, was said to be the "heart and sould of the Bruins") But now the new players are finally fitting in and they are turning things around (as is San Jose).

What is VERY clear to me now that Gainey has taken control and we have seen 7 games, is that the dressing room needs a major shakeup. Koivu will probably appreciate the change and fresh start as well and I will wish him well and thank him.

plouf · Guru

JohnM wrote:

No point in saying anything to the whiners and complainers on this board. The negative energy you guys put off is enough to kill a dead rat.
Suck it up boys. You aren't playing the game. You don't know what's happening behind the scenes. Let's let the season unfold and BG do what is needed.
The main reason Saku wouldn't sign here is fans like you. Actually most players don't want to come here because of that.

Yup. There's some serious denial on the part of many Habs fans about the problem that players don't want to play here any more. Montreal's a great place to live. The dollar is no longer an issue. The franchise has a great history and a reputation for building winners. But the press and the fans have not dealt well with the post-expansion NHL reality, where every team gets a chance. They've become bitter and petulant and quick to twist the knife.

JohnM · Guru

Barry, every player on this team would love to be off it right now. The whole point is to get the positives back into the game.

If BG decides it's time to rebuild "again" it will be in the offseason. The ship will go down with what it has on it this season.

barry33 · Guru

JohnM wrote:

Barry, every player on this team would love to be off it right now. The whole point is to get the positives back into the game. If BG decides it's time to rebuild "again" it will be in the offseason. The ship will go down with what it has on it this season.

Good points Johnny. My point is that I respect Koivu and what he has done for the team and I also trust Gainey to indetify and make the changes he deems neccessary. Because I feel that both the habs and Saku would benefit in a positive way by parting ways, in no way makes me negative towards him or what he has done for this organization. That is wher i want the distinction drawn. I am not being negative nor am I disrespecting or pooping on Saku Koivu. On the contrary. Like everyone on this board and Bob Gainey, I am searching for solutions and my gut feeling, experience in the game, and observations on what I have seen, tell me this may be what is needed.

JohnM · Guru

I understand what you are saying but I think you need to build a winner based on people who want to play for your team. Not just who you trade for.