Forget Dustin Penner …
Forget seeing Andrei Kostistyn tossing Russian beachballs to Maxime Lapierre . Scott Gomez on another planet ? Sorry George Jetson – ain ‘t gonna happen anytime soon. Do these non – moves hurt the heart of Montreal diehard fans ? In the words of Robert Deniro – ” Just a little bit … ”
Les Habitants or rather , Pierre Gauthier , did what everyone in Montreal has come to expect on the trade deadline – nothing.
Nil. Nada.
Oops , just a sec …am I bad ? Yes Monsieur Gauthier did make a move. He left Montreal for Atlanta. Not only that – he was ahead of the rest of the G. M s around the league. You see , Gauthier left for Atlanta on the 27th – one full day ahead of everyone else wearing a managerial NHL jacket. If he had not , do you think he would have been able to exchange Brett Festerling ( that lifelong Hab ) to the Thrashers for goaltender Drew MacIntyre ? Of course not. That is what makes Gauthier so brilliant . Now , the Goat must do one more thing to enable un Coupe Stanley to parade down the streets of Montreal. Fire coach Jacques Martin.
If Hab fans had a nickel for everytime that sentiment has been utilized in the past two months – all the roads in Montreal would be repaired in time for the parade along the usual route come June. Martin has done an able job and it has not been easy. The loss of Markov et al among the defence corps is ample enough reason to make even the smallest ears grow ten time larger. Thank You Jacques for keeping the boat above the French media – infested waters. Without you , the Habs would be chasing the Devils right about now , a fact that every hockey fan knows – is not a good thing. Thank you Jacques yet without you – the Canadiens would also be just below the Flyers and ahead of the Bruins in the Eastern Conference.
Do the math. The numbers do not add up and in the case of Gomez – they actually add down.
The Gomez affair is just one of Martin s shortcomings. When a player such as Scott ( hey – I am having fun ) Gomez is not playing up to his potential both on the ice and in the bank papers , a benching or demotion is supposed to be applied. These things are normally done not to solely boost the player s performance yet to also demonstrate to the other players on the team that a large contract does not mean preferred status. Gomez is not the pre – Mario Tremblay Patrick Roy. Heck – Gomez is not even the post Tremblay Roy. Number eleven s rear end should have been embedded on a bench in Hamilton just after November when it became apparent the puck was not Scott s friend.
Martin – Living in the Fridge
Martin has a problem.
He is convinced that his system works. Yes it keeps the team in every game. Sure it allows his teams to make the play – offs almost every year. The problem is that regardless of these astute and commendable points , there is one thing missing here. The Stanley Cup rings on Mr. Martin s fingertips.
Forget how he mishandles P. K Subban. Forget about the team losing a minimum of 18 points in the standings due to Jacques unwillingness to let the dogs loose on their opponents.
Forget seeing Captain Gionta tossing the Cup to Tomas Plekanec.
Scott Gomez on another planet ? My mistake , Hab fans witness that on a nightly basis. Call George Jetson and have him bring Mr. Spacely to a game. The Hab trainers may be able to alter the few letters on Jaroslav Spacek s sweater and give the Canadiens another defenceman for their play – off drive. George J. should also bring along the family dog – Astro. That way coach Martin would have another being around with bigger ears than he to take some of the heat if the team fails to either make the play – offs or not win the Championship. Not only that – Astro could replace Youppi as the team mascot. If Gomez is going to live in an interplanetary world – Astro would be great company.
Besides – the late Expos sportscaster Duke Snyder could use the company and Youppi would be unemployed.
Does the death of Duke Snyder hurt Montreal sports fans …? More than a little bit … much more …
Rest in peace Mr. Snyder and thanks for the memories from the time when a game was still a game …
Notes
Les Habitants are in Atlanta to take on them Thrashers ce soir … game time is 7 pm .
Check with Thrasher Backer and see the preview of the game.
Too Many Men on the Site as usual will lift your soles but not your souls.
Yes – yes – yes , I will be sporting a Leaf sweater in the following few days…