The good ol' hockey game

Really excited to see this Final series kick off. Yeah, I think I agree that Tampa from outside has the edge, but Montreal has been the underdogs this whole time, really. A full seven game series would be great to see (if it might cause me to pull out all my remaining hair all the same). I am really hoping the Habs at least start off with a strong push. It's been a long time. I mean, okay not as long as for the Leafs, lol, but all the same. I am sure I'll get more than a few puzzled glances walking around London in my jersey today.

Seattle draft is going to be really interesting to watch, too, agreed.

Let's drop this puck guys, can't wait!

 

So I am guessing since no one posted at the final, there aren't many Tampa fans here?

Really disappointed Montreal exposed Price. Seattle would be pretty silly to ignore him, and especially after taking the Habs to the Cup final - a bold and fairly insulting move. Not surprised in the least of course that he was willing to waive his no-trade clause; why wouldn't he if your management moans your contract is too much, and they need to protect the 'lesser goalie.' Really a shitty move all around. I know everyone is talking about the cap hit, but c'mon, with his natural ties to the NW, the obvious [though I might want to wish it weren't so] benefit of getting out of a high pressure market like Montreal, and the chance as well to have a real kick at earning a Cup in the next couple years, why would Price do any different? So I will be really sad if/when he leaves for Seattle, but it's a no brainer really, and Bergeron et al. once again shot themselves in the foot.... for really no gain. Dang.

Well, will be interesting to see this new Seattle team in any event.

P.S. - I am not seeing Suzuki's name on the list (either available or protected) the CBC put out, but would be an extra huge mistake to not foster the young talent which shone through the '21 playoff series'.

 

Yeah that was a bit interesting. There were a few reports/hints at Weber's condition (and I think between his injury history and this season you could surmise it) so that one did not come as any surprise to me. I can imagine a likely retirement honestly, after a career anyone would be proud of. Price would be a hard loss for a whole season, not to say the Habs couldn't still make it; they definitely had strong periods through other goalies when Price was down (e.g. Halak) but have certainly had slumps without him backstopping as well (e.g. Condon). I hope it is not major surgery in any case.

I was thinking much the same thing, Seattle grabbed quite a few names I was unfamiliar with, and so some surprises, but that is not at all to say they weren't the right ones. I could really see them coming out and building a young powerhouse team with strong skilled up-and-comers. Think what just a couple rookies did for franchises like Edmonton. True, I don't think they will have Vegas' success necessarily right out of the gate, but I think that was probably more the exception. It is interesting when you can essentially build an [almost] dream team from scratch and get all the right pieces on the board together, without having to be handcuffed by a couple really long and/or expensive contracts for star players. Bring on the Kraken, I am looking forward to it!

 

PS - While we are here, I really so enjoyed the new divisions [Coronavirus aside]. I doubt it will be the case, but I would really love to see a return to this, or an adapted version thereof, for the coming seasons. Personally I never bought in to the 'forced' rivalries Bettman et al. were trying to initiate by playing the same "local" team over and over across a season. And by local, I mean Tampa and Montreal, lol. Made a heck of a lot more sense in a final than throughout the season.

 

Totally agreed. The NHL schedule is intense, and way too demanding on players these days. There is no question the increased contact and physicality in the modern NHL is a direct lead-in to the high number of injuries (and surgeries) players are seeing. I would be very welcoming of a shorter season, more flexibility for the players, and possibly even extending their already short and exhausting careers. I get salaries can be high, but that is no reason to physically punish them and expect people to take it. And there is really no benefit either, except to duke the stats. Other sports probably roll their eyes when they look towards professional hockey. No one I think would defend this as a better idea, or ask for even more games; and I think there is no argument to be made (as with a lot of the league's decisions) that this is increasing viewership or fanbase. IF anything, I would say the very high number of games played drives down interest in single competitions, and waning across a long season. People can easily be fairweather fans, or drop in and out as they wish throughout a year, and there are always more games to follow. I'd love to see it cut back to a reasonable number, have a slightly shorter or just more spread out season, and drive home the importance of wins (okay, but not to the NFL level maybe... there is definitely a very easy happy medium).

 

Mourning the loss of one of the greats of the game today, Tony Esposito passes away at the age of 78 after battling pancreatic cancer. A Canadien legend-that-wasn't, Esposito's incredible style defending that patch of ice in front of the net will be fondly remembered by many. Beyond Chicago, he of course played such an integral part in the '72 Summit Series. The team of legends on the next plane has drafted another excellent goalie.





RIP Tony O.

 

Are you sure you don't mean a pool, Andy? This global warming is no joke.

Looks like Price might actually be back for training camp, or shortly thereafter, which is actually some decent news for a change. Hopefully the surgery sorted out whatever the issues were, but I think it's also really important everyone (athletes included) doesn't rush these things; give it the proper time to heal, and get to 100%... or it can exacerbate and you'll never get there.

 

And it's officially happened, too. Bummed to lose Kotkaniemi, was a fan of his play and think he could have really offered Montreal a lot as he developed in the organisation. Not surprised MB didn't try to keep him, yes the contract offer was huge (and higher than any should be, really) but beyond that Bergeron has shown through all his years there is never any master plan or future team building play here, it is all about the contemporary booksheet.

 

I can't after all this time Montreal has finally shown Bergevin the the door. While at the same time I am a bit surprised it took this long. Whatever the inside reasons, I welcome it. They may have gotten to the final last season (and yes, I am still happy that they did) I don't think it was necessarily anything that had his fingerprints on it. Looks like Roy might be a lead candidate, which could prove interesting. Managing and playing are definitely far from the same thing, just like coaching - time and time again that has proven out; but at least a different head up in the office and maybe one not so business focused might be a welcome change. If nothing else new blood and ideas will hopefully bring some life to the organisation.

 

Mourning the loss of another hockey legend. Guy Lafleur has passed away at the age of 70. While I am not a celebrity chaser by any standards, one of the highlights I can always recall is when a younger me was fortunate enough to sit behind him on a plane. And it all came about due to odd circumstances (being bumped to that flight and another seat). Seeing him walk in and just set himself down, there, so close to me, was a real 'idol' moment. Course I just sat there in silence and let the many get on with his life (as I think you should always do), but it is still a good memory for me. I was sorry to hear about his health problems more recently in life, and now he has left us too soon.



Quebec hero led a Montreal dynasty in the 1970s with four straight Stanley Cup titles

We salute you back, Guy. May you rest in peace.