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No longer the fall Guy

ALLAN MAKI

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 8:29 PM EDT 27/03/08

Carbonneau has come a long way to get Habs to top of the mountain ...Read the full article

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  1. Rene L from somewhere, Canada writes: Nice to see an article in the G&M about the Habs - good on you Maki. I second the coach of the year comment.
  2. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: I'm dissapointed in the G&M that they waited so long to start talking about the Habs. We spent the last 2 months talking about an overachieving 12th place team that has no future. I mean what's the difference between Stajan and Steen...they're both mediocre at best.

    They've covered Kovalev and Carbo thus far. I predict either Komisarek, Price or the Kostistyn brothers will be the subject of the next "Habs G&M column". They're like the CBC, they feel they have limited time to get their uneducated (i.e. leaf fans) readers informed about the #1 East seed.
  3. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: Two grinders, two defensive players, two captains chosen for leadership ability during their playing days now run the Habs.

    Both have gained experience late in their careers (or early in their new careers) elsewhere.

    Both wear their loyalty to the organization on their sleeve.

    Anyone else have a better business plan?
  4. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: MB...don't forget the assistant coaches....Muller and Jarvis who were also both molded in the Habs way at one time in their career.

    There are others throughout the league who would also answer the call if requested....Larry "Big Bird" Robinson, Doug Risebrough, Mario Tremblay......maybe even Jacques Lemaire, Kenny Dryden and a mellower St-Patrick down the road.

    The Habs have a way of building tight-knit families....it's a common occurrence with successful pro sports teams. (look at the Red Wings, Yanks, BoSox, most NFL teams...etc) unfortunately it's something that is missing in leaf land.
  5. Rene L from somewhere, Canada writes: Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: There are others throughout the league who would also answer the call if requested....Larry "Big Bird" Robinson, Doug Risebrough, Mario Tremblay......maybe even Jacques Lemaire, Kenny Dryden and a mellower St-Patrick down the road.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    "a mellower St-Patrick down the road. " - NO, NO, NO.... NEVER, PLEASE... NEVER!!!
  6. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: Carbo should get the 'Jack Adams' award
  7. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Carbonneau should be the coach of the year without any doubt...

    However, steer clear of the recent Patrick Roy fiasco, Mr. Carbonneau...

    Let the Quebec police do their investigations... The Habs need no potential distractions from their playoff drive...

    PS... Pat Billings from CDN -- Better late than Never for the G&M and HNIC on the CBC :)

    Cheers!
  8. Mike B from Canada writes: All you need to do is look at the success of the NJ Devils - they won their silver with former Habs. Seems their plan was to pick the best of those that learned in the Montreal Forum, then do what they had to do to get them.

    Now the Habs have a better plan. Keep them and win for themselves. Just a general comment about the Habs development success, not about Guy C. But as a lifetime Habs fan, I always noticed former Habs winning the Cup.
  9. Dennis O'Keefe from saskatoon, Canada writes: It's not that big of a surprise for the Canadiens' success this year, they would have made the playoffs last year if not for the influenza bout that decimated the team and with the young players having an extra year of experience it doesn't take Fellini to figure out that they would be better.
  10. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Mike B from Canada:

    Spot on! In fact, "disciples" of Sam Pollock and Scotty Bowman from the old Montreal Forum have taken over a number of winning teams around the NHL and QJMHL ...

    I still think Sam Pollock's quote on team building is one of the best pieces of advice that could be given to the management of MLS&E:

    "People build teams in certain ways. I've always traded for futures -- not pasts."
  11. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Pat Billings... obviously female..

    All you do is whine and complain.... and pretty good at it too.
  12. nigel martin from Canada writes: Scot Loukes;
    Obviously sexist and pretty good at it.
  13. sam themacman from Waterloo, Canada writes: Good article. Is there any more proof than this article and the subsequent comments that Montreal is the centre of the hockey universe? No disrespect to Toronto, but there is no comparison between the Habs and Laughs, and their respective fan base. Teamwise, the Habs have a legacy that passes on from generation to generation, and they treat their players like they are part of both a family and a fraternity. It is as if there is a DNA transfusion that takes place when you are part of the Habs. Yes, as other posters have said, former players have found success with the winning formula they learned while playing for the organization. All you need to do is look at the list already mentioned, from Lemaire, Risebrough, Robinson, and others. The Habs have reinforced the sense of family by how they have honoured past players and retired their jerseys. Just look at the gala affairs conducted this year alone for Hab greats. First class all the way. Contrast the quality of person and player with that of the Laughs. How do you compare retiring Robinson, Gainey and Dryden to Ty Domi? They don't deserve to be on the same planet! But as my dad used to say, " You aim low and you are sure to hit it!" Carbo has done a great job, as have all the assistants. I am particularly fond of Jarvis, who has been a family friend. I find Muller and Melanson are great coaches as well. They are all winners who have great character and chemistry. They all reflect the same character and determination of Gainey, who has been so patient in building a winner. He has embodied Pollock's mantra, to pick "futures" and not "pasts". This was why Gainey never bit on Hossa. The price was too high with no guarantees. Gainey did not want to disrupt the chemistry either. It looks now like a stroke of genius. Lets see how far they can go now. It would be great to win the remaining games of the season, as prep for the post season.
  14. garlick toast from Canada writes: les canadiens sont la!!
  15. J K GALBRAITH from Canada writes: There is no doubt the Canadians have had a great season and certainly a lot of credit should go to both Gainey and Carbonneau. I am still skeptical of how they will do in the playoffs because while they are speedy, they are not very physical and could get worn down in the second round. That being said there really is no clear cut favourite to win the Eastern conference. New Jersey and Ottawa have the most experienced playoff players but there inconistency makes it hard to support them.

    The big challenge for Gainey in the off season is whether to resign Kovalev. Yes, he has had a great season but he always does when it is a contract year. Do you take the risk that he will not show up next year or do you use the five or six million to keep some of your up and coming players. As well, can Michael Ryder rebound from his disastrous season or are his days numbered in Montreal.
  16. Sam T from Canada writes: K GALBRAITH from Canada writes: "...they are not very physical." Excuse me, not physical? Have you watched them this year? Not only do they have the #2 leader in hits with big Mike K, after a quick search only the Rangers have more players with 100 or or hits (Habs 7, NY 9). While hits alone do not determine whether a team is physical or not, it certainly has a lot of bearing on the matter.

    This is not the old "smurf" teams from years past, this one is fast and can play physical when it is required.

    Go Habs Go
  17. Sam T from Canada writes: J K GALBRAITH from Canada writes: "The big challenge for Gainey in the off season is whether to resign Kovalev. Yes, he has had a great season but he always does when it is a contract year."

    Yeah well since this is not a contract year for Alex what is your excuse for him playing the way he is? Of course it couldn't be that he took a long hard look at his play last year and was determined to improve - both mentally and physically. He is a changed player and all Habs fans are loving it. He will be resigned after next as well.
  18. Jude Hannaford from Canada writes: Greetings

    In regards to the lack of coverage, I kinda like it that way. It wasn't until maybe a week or two ago that we even heard about the Habs on sports radio out here in Cowtown. Although we as Habs fans who have watched this year know that our team is a team with little star power, grit, secondary scoring, and albeit young, solid goaltending. Even though fighting is frowned upon, they still stand up for one another reagarless of weight class; ask Mr Kostopolous. With the this lack of coverage our Habs are going to surprise some people come playoff time.

    Oh and it's a no brainer who wins the Jack Adams this year.

    Vive Les Canadiens
  19. Jude Hannaford from Canada writes: One more thing, here is a link to see exactly how much work Mr Gainey in fact has to do this summer. We as Habs fans should be delighted.

    http://www.nhlscap.com/capnumbers/montreal.htm
  20. J K GALBRAITH from Canada writes: Sam T.: My apologies for the error regarding Kovalev's contract status.
    How far do you think they can go in the Eastern conference? Is there any team in the East that can defeat the winner of the Western conference?
  21. Sam T from Canada writes: JK - no problem.

    I don't think there's any reason the Habs can't make it through the East. There no overly powerful teams so it is abit of a crap shoot. If the boys play the way they are capable and the goaltending holds up, which I think it will do, then there's no reason they can't make the Finals. (Of course I acknowledge my Tricolour glasses). As for beating the West, my only real hope is that the big 4 pound the crap out of each other and come limping to the Finals.

    It's the Stanley Cup playoffs, anything is possible.

    Go Habs Go!
  22. Jude Hannaford from Canada writes: J K

    What I am kinda afraid of is the officiating, if they "let them play" the east is going to have a very tough go, but if they call the game the way it is meant to I believe that NJ, Pit, and Mtl have a chance to beat a western team. It will be a brutal first 3 rounds for the west with them beating on each other. My guess is that Det would be the best team for the east to beat. It would be more of a skilled series than the rough and tumble that Ana would have to offer.
  23. Jude Hannaford from Canada writes: Sam T

    Funny, I see the world through Bleu, Blanche, et Rouge sunglasses as well.
  24. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Bleu, Blanche et Rouge sunglasses?

    I have no problem with that --

    I didn't even know that any other colours actually existed !

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