Every week that’s gone by has been an extra layer of frustration added to Montreal Canadiens fans, and it’s only going to get worse if management lets it.
The Montreal Canadiens probably have one of the most passionate fan bases in the league. When things are going well, you’ll know about it. However, when things aren’t going well, you’ll definitely know about it.
Voicing their displeasure with the team’s performance at games or online is one thing, but what happened with the statues outside of Bell Centre is a new level. The Habs have four of them to commemorate the legends who played for the team in the past. Currently, fans can see Maurice Richard, Guy Lafleur, Howie Morenz, and Jean Beliveau before entering the arena.
Pictures were floating around Twitter and Instagram of the Richard and Beliveau statues sporting paper bags with Habs logos on them.
Usually, fans where those themselves to voice their embarrassment or disappointment with the team, but whoever did it thought it would be more impactful on the statue. Or it was a prank, and they thought it would be funny, either way, people were talking about it.
It’s easy to think all of this was because of the state of the team. It is, and it isn’t. No one wants to see the Montreal Canadiens play as poorly as they have. However, I think it’s more about the struggle between what fans have heard and what they’re seeing.
When all the season previews started to come out over the summer, there was a lack of confidence surrounding the Habs. Again, this is the passionate fan were talking about here, so although they may not have agreed with some of the moves made, they were still willing to believe in what management was saying.
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They heard Marc Bergevin say that the blueline was better than last year’s and that he doesn’t believe in windows. The fans were patient as the Habs sat on north of $7 million in cap space without a single sign that it would be used. Most importantly, they wanted to believe that this team could challenge for a Stanley Cup.
The first game back at home against San Jose may be even worse. The team could be victim to more boos and paper bags if things don’t change. There’s also the chance that someone throws a jersey on the ice, but you’d hate to think it gets to that point.
Management can’t do much themselves to affect the team, that’s up to the players on the ice. Nevertheless, supplying the fans with a clear motive for the rest of the season may help.
As much as organizations don’t take to social media to read complaints (that we know of), the paper bag over the Beliveau statue can’t be something they take lightly.
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What are your thoughts on the paper bag situation? Do you agree that it’s a lack of direction that his doing it for Habs fans? Let us know down in the comments.