If defence wins championships , the Canadiens will win not one yet two Stanley Cups this year. Unfortunately , championships are not won by scores of 0 – 0.
The Habs scored a major coup by landing twenty – six year old defence man James Wisniewski from the Islanders in exchange for a compensatory secondround pick in 2011 and a conditional pick in 2012. Wisniewski had three goals and eighteen assists for twenty – one points in thirty two games with the Isles.In 286 NHL games with the Ducks, Blackhawks and Isles – the Canton, Missouri native collected 118 points – twenty of which were goals. He is also a plus one in his career, a total which would be higher if he had not played for the Islanders where he wasanegative 18. The peanut venders in Long island were negative so these totals are more of a reflection of his former team than James’ abilities.
According to former team mate Saku Koivu in Anaheim, the defenceman has a mean streak to go along with his offensive abilities. ” A clone of Chris Chelios’ is what Kovu had to say about his fellow Duck. ” The type of player that has the ability to transform from defence to offense very effortlessly. Wisniewski will definately make the team ( Montreal ) much better. Especially since they are having trouble scoring goals. ”
Trouble scoring goals is an understatement on a team where three of their top scorers disappear longer that Jimmy Hoffa. Kostisyn, Plekanec and Pouliot must have a wad of Airmile points in the drawers for the amount of time they have flown the Canadiens nest. Add Gomez, a player who is on track to collect twelve goals and Gionta , this brings the total of five absentees to the team. How does this happen year after year in Montreal ? No matter who the organization acquires to put pucks in the net , their totals deteriorate to the point of being banished to ther cities where , more times than not – that player flourishes. How else can you describe an organization that boasts Mats Naslund as their final 100 plus point player ? In 1985 – 86 no less ?
The Molsons own the team once more. Geoffrey and his family must take a look in the mirror and discover a way to remove the blemishes of Habs past from their faces. Use some sort of a cleansing product to shed the past and to also find a loop hole in the NHL’s rule books governing the way the team can handle the press. Banishing the gossip mongers , aka the French press , would be an excellent idea. Maybe the team would have fun again and not feel that their every move is being scrutinized closer than a director in a porno. George Steinbrenner did it in Yankee nation when the Bronx Bombers became a parody of themselves. The Montreal Canadiens do not have fun playing hockey and when they do have fun , they are chastized for it. Between a rock and a hard place is an understatement for this once glorious organization. Thank God for the Leafs. They take the microscope away from Montreal when fans need to discover a fall from grace example.