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Canadiens Rumors: How To Know What To Believe

By Lissa Albert

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The Montreal Canadiens, as with other NHL teams I’m sure, suffers its fair share of rumor mongering. Let’s face it, fans on social media pick up the ball and run whenever there’s a lull in action, a summer break – sometimes, just a commercial break.

It picks up significantly at the trade deadline. I think Bob McKenzie’s Twitter account has been faked so many times, even he isn’t sure which one is his!

In all seriousness, though, that’s what happens. The trade deadline approaches, and suddenly, parody accounts, or people posting as themselves, just begin throwing out some of the most outlandish rumors. And the problem is that with social media, news travels so fast, those rumors become viral and people react instantly, propagating and expanding upon them.

Back when the Habs were looking for a new coach, there were people who actually swore to it that Patrick Roy was signed. Not interviewing (we all knew the worst-kept secrets about Roy meeting with the top brass), but signed, sealed, and delivered.

They had sources, we were told. They had connections. They knew.

Of course, all that was false.

Now we’re in the summer lull. Hockey has ended for every team, the draft is approaching, and then comes Free Agency. Another frenzy in which players, free to talk with and sign with any team their agents can arrange.

Leading up to it – especially for teams who were not in the playoffs, or eliminated early on – we see rumors start to take hold because people are hungry for news of their teams.

I cannot speak for other fan bases, but Habs fans sure do love to project. I’ve seen projections during the season that deal with everything from desired lines to desired healthy scratches.

I’ve seen people project based on the team’s budget – some really going all out to role-play general manager – and come up with contract scenarios. It’s entertaining and can be informative.

I’ve seen people out and out make stuff up. Sometimes it’s flat out ridiculous (trade Carey Price? Seriously?). Sometimes it’s plausible.

But it provides conversation and buzz when hockey fans are starved for hockey.

There are a few I’ve seen lately. One is the Phil Kessel rumor.

Now, I think he’d be a phenomenal addition to the team, purely for his goal scoring. There are people who love the idea, or hate it – no in-between. (Those who hate it are basing it either on the team he’s on, or the stories of his attitude; on skill alone, the guy would probably be great for the Habs)

And Renaud Lavoie recently tweeted to quash those rumors:

Closer to home, I have seen – not just recently, but throughout the years – rumors of a trade involving Tomas Plekanec. No trade details, though – it changes with the tide. But every once in a while, Plekanec’s name is bandied about as trade bait.

In a great interview with reporter Dave Stubbs, Plekanec addressed it:

"I’ve been part of those rumors every summer. I’ve been traded so many times, it doesn’t bother me. But this is the first summer I’ve spent most of the summer here in Montreal and now, when people meet me in the street, they say, ‘we hope you stay with us.’ It’s kinda funny, the first time I’ve experienced rumors going around and I’m here for people to tell me about them. I’ve heard from friends who say, ‘we’ve heard you’re going here or there, is it true?’ Honestly, I don’t know. We’ll see. It doesn’t bother me."

Here’s my take on rumors: they are pastimes. Nothing more. The only people who, in reality, are privy to any information when it comes to the Montreal Canadiens are the Montreal Canadiens.

Despite usually being among the first to break any news, even the media is not part of that inner circle. They have sources they know as credible. But the general public does not.

This is as it should be. The Habs are still a business, and as with any business, nothing should be released until it is fit for public consumption.

That includes buzz, hype, hypotheticals, chatter, and gossip.

Speculation is rampant – and it can be fun when the facts are in place. But playing the “if…then” game is just a way to pass the time, and holds no merit in reality.

This is not an indictment of those who engage in it – we all have, at one time or another. That’s what editorials are all about.

It’s when these rumor mills become viral-as-fact and the sources have no credibility.

My advice is this: unless it has been reported as fact – with credible sources cited – take everything with a grain of salt.

It should also be noted that opinions are not facts. Here at A Winning Habit, as with many other sites where opinions are expressed, we always cite our sources. If it is news, it will be labeled as such, with original sources linked. Editorials are also duly labeled. Sites that do the same are trustworthy and worth your time.

But there are other sites – especially accounts on social media – that revel in “reporting” what isn’t verified.

Twitter accounts – besides that of the Montreal Canadiens – that can be trusted are those belonging to hockey analysts associated with media outlets. Bob McKenzie, Elliote Friedman, Renaud Lavoie,

Use common sense. And when in doubt: check the Canadiens’ web site.

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