Three Amigos III

posted by Mike Boone at 11h49 EST on Feb 17

The original Canadiens party animals were Chris Chelios, Shayne Corson and Peter Svoboda.

Three Amigos the Sequel featured José Theodore, Pierre Dagenais and Mike Ribeiro.

Now Jean Perron is suggesting Carey Price, Christopher Higgins and Sergei Kostitsyn are the current incarnation of the Three Amigos.

Perron cites "reliable sources" and says he's gone public and outed the alleged bad boys because he blames Chelios et al for getting him fired and doesn't want the same fate to befall Guy Carbonneau.

Jacques Demers says the Canadiens are aware they have a problem and are dealing with it.

The post-practice scrums today should be a treat.

Comments

Submitted by J. Ambrose on Wed, 02/18/2009 - 02:24.

This has been fairly well-known amongst many in the city, me included, for awhile. The lads are frequent attendees at a certain St. Laurent resto-bar and have been known for partying late and hard (and it ain't just drinking, my friends). I figured it would come out eventually. Mtl is a small city, really. The Habs have been dealing with it, but it makes one wonder if Carbo wasn't sending a message to Price by leaving him in for the 7 goals last week. To you from falling hands, we throw the torch.

Submitted by BoomBoomMax on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 23:31.

I know it doesn't look smart to throw a one-liner like that but what the Hell! PERRON IS ABSOLUTE DOUCHE! ____________________________ "F*ck it Dude! Let's go bowl!"

Submitted by J. Ambrose on Wed, 02/18/2009 - 03:20.

He definitely is that. This was an internal affair that Gainey has had to deal with amongst everything else, and then this jerk decides to make it public out of spite or just to make himself look in-the-know. Classless! To you from failing hands, we throw the torch.

Submitted by Habbu on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 23:21.

Maybe it was just a Coke Zero?

Submitted by Hammer on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 21:29.

This entire topic is an embarrassment. This is no more than trash journalism and Boone and all are hiding behind "reliable sources". If the Habs were on a five game winning streak, there would be not a whisper. If you actually know something Mr. Boone et all, say it and name sources. If not go work for ET talk, National Enquirer as they too throw S**T using " reliable sources".

Submitted by Bahamut-Prime on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 18:13.

Lots of people of seen Sergei out (most often frequenting Buanotte) but I've heard much less about Price and Higgins besides some crazy rumors that should not be repeated. Price is supposed to be the good country boy but it's not too hard to imagine the good country boy being overwhelmed by the big city where he stakes his claim for money and fame.

Submitted by Willy the bum on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 17:44.

Hey guys, you know what?! With all that Schneider craze, why not bring back reliable defenseman Chelios back here? The Red Wings are not using him, and he got a couple of years left in his system, so he should have his career ends with a big bang... WHY NOT! MR. GAINEY, BRING CHELIOS HERE AGAIN! AND MAYBE CLAUDE LEMIEUX... :D ---------- "Old-time hockey?" - Steve Hanson (Slap Shot)

Submitted by hanky2 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 18:01.

i have a cop friend that saw higgens and price doing coke on the bar in the south shore

Submitted by TommyB on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 19:30.

What a prick-shot post. You know a guy, who knows a guy, who saw.....internet anonymity is a great thing, eh! And besides, like someone else has said here, why didn't this "cop friend" do his duty? You've been a "member" of this site for 2 whole hours......big surprise there.

Submitted by Yeats on Wed, 02/18/2009 - 00:24.

Tommy, who in God's name with an ounce of God-given skill would want to be drafted by this bum-*** franchise now? ***, I'd be prouder to be picked by the Leafs!

Submitted by Greg on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 19:10.

no offense, but is this one of those things where YOU have a cop friend? Or a guy you know has a cop friend that saw Higgy and Price doing coke on a bar? In a city where rumours about the Habs come from the ether, I think Higgins and Price are smart enough and know enough about the media to do cocaine at least in the bathroom, not on a bar in front of a bunch of people. Also, shouldn't your cop friend have arrested them for possession of narcotics? Unfounded rumours are pointless and tarnish reputations, unless they're about trades...which Higgins has in spades too.

Submitted by Bahamut-Prime on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 18:20.

The rumors about coke are what a were referring to when I said rumors that should not be repeated. We already had one big problem there with Theodore we can't have that happen again.

Submitted by mjames on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 16:12.

Mike Boone What is the point of your post? If these guys are a problem then get rid of them. Somehow I don't think they are. Maybe they want out of from Carbo. If we do get rid of them Carbo will come up with another three amigos to blame. Incidentally it would be nice if someone wrote something on the coaches. What is their role in the team's current performance ? Stubbs reports that Carbo says he is still employing the same system as he was at the beginning of the year. Can someone who has access to him please ask what is that system? One last thing, Carbo is a first class a-hole for blaming the Vancouver loss on Halak. I wish Gainey would step forward. I actually hope that Washington skates us out of the rink. It would like to bring this torture to an end. The team's current performance is not all the fault of the players. Yes they have role but it is not all their fault. It would be nice if Boone , Stubbs , Hickey said something about this. mjames

Submitted by Fant-HAB-ulous on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 16:04.

I'm all for a good party... But when you play affects your work, then there's a problem. And I like what Jacques Demeres said, and I totally agree...it pisses veterans off when their 20 year counterparts are partying so hard that it affects their play. NHL hockey is a job, just like mine – except sadly my employer doesn't want to pay me millions :) If I started sucking at my job, and my boss found out I was out all night, I think he'd be pissed. Right now, all three of those guys suck at their job.

Submitted by ross on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 16:51.

I assume it's a colloquialism, but what does "Sport du Lit" mean in that Demers article?

Submitted by Fant-HAB-ulous on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 17:01.

It's the name of a TV Show (or maybe radio show). So it doesn't really mean anything..it's just the title. I guess if you are asking the meaning of the title, I would say that it is implying that it is the final word on sports, "putting the issue to rest" ? But that's just my anglo guess :)

Submitted by solsub on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 16:19.

Very sensible post. Probably the best one in this thread. I agree %100.

Submitted by Fant-HAB-ulous on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 16:39.

Thanks :)

Submitted by Thomas Le Fan on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 15:49.

Why shoot the messenger? Peron isn't the one both behaving and playing badly, is he? They are adults and this is professional sports. They can do what they want but there's a price to pay for taking your eye off of the prize. You want to act like you're in a beer league while you're being paid millions to play a game, you'll find yourself in a beer league fast enough. Ask Derek Sanderson. I'd prefer it if there were some respected veteran players who could just kick their silly a$$es. This is MY team, ya little jerks! This is the Montréal Canadiens you're screwing up!

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 15:35.

Boone, out of sheer curiousity, what was Perron coaching in Israel?

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 15:33.

Perron's reliable sources is probably the same stripper that gave Price a lap dance 10 minutes before Perron. (I won't use the Avery's famous remark even if I really want to)

Submitted by mrhabby on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 15:35.

perron sounds like a bitter old dude, miserable.

Submitted by Sami on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 15:27.

I thought Geoffrion, Moore & Johnson were the "Original" Three Amigos.....

Submitted by Chuck on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 16:11.

True, but their partying didn't affect their play on the ice.

Submitted by TommyB on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 15:24.

Perron blames Chelios et al for getting him fired? As I remember it, back during the '86 run, Gainey and Robinson walked into Perron's office, sat him down and told him he didn't know how to coach the team. They offered him an alternative system to employ...that,and Patrick Roy, got Jean Perron his Cup ring. It wasn't his coaching ability. I noticed J.T. mentioned something similar earlier in her post on this topic. She says Perron asked Gainey and Robinson for help. I heard it this way. Either way, Perron should just gaze at his ring and shut up.

Submitted by smiler2729 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 15:20.

Who is this "Jean Perron" guy anyway? A coach in the vein of the Bernie Geoffrions, Bob Berrys and Mario Tremblays, coaches who couldn't hack it except Perron fluked out a Stanley Cup win (merci, Patrick Roy). Perron is the Steve Penny of Habs coaches.

Submitted by smiler2729 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 15:18.

I never forgave Serge Savard for trading away Chris Chelios for Denis Savard. Yeah, we won the Cup (Chicago lost in their Final appearance to the Pens) but so what, we lost that trade in the long run. And why was Chelly traded? Because he loved the Montreal nightlife (who doesn't?) Was his play terrible? No. Does Chicago have a bad nightlife? No. It was another dumb trade to appease a coach (Pat Burns)...

Submitted by montreal ace on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 15:08.

A man goes out and has some drinks and gets laid, does getting lucky mean something else in Montreal these days.

Submitted by Norm0770 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:47.

If the guys start doing the Derek Sanderson like drunken interviews, THEN there might be a problem.

Submitted by matrags on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:15.

jrmatheson....Remember Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Goodin In New York .Two young and Brilliant talents dropped in the middle of baseball crazy Newyork. The high flyers wore them around their neck like bling until the high life began to catch up to them and all its dirty habbits.A sport crazy city can eat a young kid up that way and the Canadien Brass might want to take note just in case the fast movers and shakers in this city are looking to up there profile by wearing some bling from the montreal canadiens.

Submitted by Steve in Kingston on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:09.

Um, why would a young player play in Montreal if he can't party? Why would a young Hab not go out, get wrecked, and get laid? Take the Montreal out of the Habs and you have Toronto, or even Salt Lake City. I advise everyone to zip-it and let lads be damn great lads.

Submitted by Gary320 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:35.

Exactly. It's just everywhere because the team is losing and one guy see's one player drinking and goes "OH HE SHOULD BE TRAINING BECAUSE HIS TEAM IS LOSING" Yet when the team is winning.. it's "OH GUESS WHO I SAW TODAY I SAW PRICE. HE'S SO AWESOME, ALL THE GIRLS WERE AROUND HIM" First off, Hockey isnt the only thing on these kids minds, and it shouldn't be.. there is just so much they can handle ESPECIALLY being a Canadiens player where Hockey is everywhere they go.. they are young, they have money.. they have EVERY right to drink if they feel like it, has long as they know the laws, they follow the curfew and the drinking, doesn't a personal problem, and that they don't get drunk before a game.. And to blame the slumps on the fact they've been drinking? COMMON! Ever heard of a lack of confidence, it happens Perron.. Second, if it is a reason why they are on a slump.. than is Higgins drunk every day? It's *** like this that makes players NOT wanna come to Montreal. IT's *** like this that might even make Price sign elsewhere once he can.. They have no freedom of criticism because what ever they do is considered BAD.. THEY ARE HUMANS. Not Robots.

Submitted by The Cat on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:21.

The players can party and drink, heck they can even play drunk if they want...But the tradeoff is you cant play like *** though.

Submitted by Habsrule1 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:15.

What's the deal with your pic? Is there something behind that logo? It's mighty ugly. Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy(Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy

Submitted by twocents on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:33.

Can you give it rest with the avatar? You have hounded this guy several times. You don't like it, who cares? State it once, move on.

Submitted by Habsrule1 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:38.

I'm just asking, dude. Relax. I'm curious if there is some sort of significance I'm missing. Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy(Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy

Submitted by twocents on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:56.

You have posted several comments like, 'I don't like your pic', 'it's ugly'... If you are merely interested in the significance, you could have simply asked that and nothing else. You may have gotten an answer by now. I'll take a stab at it for you, though. It represents a black and sad time in Habsland for this guy. It did used to include some Bruins colours and was first seen around the time of a loss to them. As our main rivals in the east now, it seems to make sense that they might be a sore point. Could mean other things or something altogether different, I don't know. It's certainly original and shows some talent in electronic graphic design. It's just that your being aggressive about a matter of personal taste. At least when SmartDog was being given a hard time, there was humour in it and he was responsive to the comments. This guy doesn't seem to want to discuss your opinion of it with you and he doesn't have to.

Submitted by Habsrule1 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 15:08.

As I said, relax. All I said is that it was ugly. If he was offended, he could have said so also. I don't think calling a made up avatar "ugly" can really be considered as rude. It's not like I was talking about the guy's Mom. Sheesh....this losing streak is really bringing out the worst in people. Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy(Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy

Submitted by Tharsis on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:51.

its not too complicated...instead of a happy habs logo, it is a sad habs logo. ---------------------------------- Fate leads the willing, and drags along the reluctant.

Submitted by Habsrule1 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:55.

LOL he changed it now. I was just curious...not sure why twocents lost it on me lol Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy(Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy

Submitted by Steve in Kingston on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 18:13.

Snow problem, mates! It's all good.

Submitted by Jay in PA on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:23.

Looks like it's the Habs' CH crest turned on its side and modified slightly.

Submitted by Natrous on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:43.

It is, but I believe it was also meant to look like a smiling Habs fan as well (eyes, mouth...) :D

Submitted by Jay in PA on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:45.

Yes, of course... The unibrow is a little off-putting, tho!

Submitted by Steve in Kingston on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 19:59.

Unibrow...too funny. Be thankful you haven't seen the blue mullet streaming down the back :-) The total look is called a "longueil", I believe. Or is it a "gatineau". I forget.

Submitted by Habsrule1 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:39.

It's no big deal...it's just the B looks like a Booins B...wondering about the significance. Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy(Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy

Submitted by sidhu on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:59.

Per TSN's Ice Chips - "Defenceman Ryan O'Byrne has been assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League."

Submitted by Natrous on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:34.

Aaaaaannnnnncieeeeeeennnnnt.

Submitted by Gary320 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:53.

They have ALWAYS partied. This is not an excuse for the slump because last year there was pictures leaking around of them partying (ESPECIALLY SERGEI).. But wait, NO ONE TALKED ABOUT IT LAST YEAR.. Oh why not? Cause the team was doing good. Perron is looking for a story but has nothing concrete. He's a man who brags about his one stanley cup, that he won because of his team and because of this one guy called Patrick Roy. What he said was on 110... 110%!!!!!! Anyone who thinks he's reliable needs to wake up..

Submitted by Wops on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:31.

Couldn't agree more, Perron is a joke. _______________________________________ CH is for Chris Higgins

Submitted by Jay in PA on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:49.

The one thing that strikes me as funny in the Perron article is that Perron cites sources who are way up in Montreal society and very knowledgeable. Maybe I'm missing something, but when three of the most recognizable faces in the city are getting trashed in city bars and clubs on a regular basis, it's unlikely to be a closely-guarded secret known only to well-connected luminaries in the upper crust of Montreal society. My guess is that you could talk to a few bouncers and zero in on the facts awfully quickly. That said, I guess this adds a new wrinkle to the team's collapse for me. I was beginning to think that a big part of it was due to an apparent lack of team cohesion which was due in turn to the formation of different cliques in the dressing-room. Now it sounds like there are extra-curricular factors as well that may or may not be related to the dressing-room politics. I wonder if Carbo is in over his head here, as I can't see any of the more mature veterans effectively assuming uncontested control over the dressing room and reining these guys in.

Submitted by bolder on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:45.

Who cares what the players do for entertainment on their spare time? As long as they are law abiding people they have the same right as others to party. The main focus should be how they perform on the ice and not what they do in their spare time.

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:28.

Who would ever listen to Jean Perron.

Submitted by Chorske on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:47.

It's kind of pathetic that he still carries enough of a grudge against the original amigos to use the latest kerfuffle to blab about his own experience. But I don't think it's just Perron raising this issue- these stories / pictures have been circulating for many days now. It's clearly one that pushes his buttons.

Submitted by Chorske on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:16.

Least surprising news ever. I don't care if they have a drink every now and then- but they are professionals, and part of the reason they are paid millions of dollars is that they are expected to make sacrifices in certain areas. For instance, they have to stay in shape. And they have to represent the team at all times. And they have to make sure that they arrive each game ready to play. I don't give a crap how young they are, and I don't give a crap that everyone likes to party sometimes. They are paid a lot of money to play a game, and I'm disappointed that they don't take their responsibilities more seriously.

Submitted by twocents on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:28.

While that is fair enough and true, it can take some individuals a few life lessons to learn these things. The disappointing figure in all this, if it's true at all, would clearly be Higgins. At his age he should have learned already. Thus, the trade rumours?

Submitted by montreal ace on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:13.

What a wonderful thread for the negative nancys to come out and complain about drinking on the team. I feel that from past experiences with players, we should give them a touch longer to sober up, before trading them.

Submitted by Chorske on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:17.

Apparently the apologists visit these threads too. ;)

Submitted by fun police on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:52.

boone,what is your take on all this?

Submitted by Mike Boone on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:42.

I am in agreement with my friend and colleague, Mr. Stubbs. I posted the item only because it's generating a lot of buzz around town today. Ever wonder why the only coaching job Jean Perron has had in 20 years was in Israel? And only during a slump do some fans decided that rich guys in their 20s should be in bed wearing stocking caps and watching The National at 10 o'clock every night.

Submitted by Norm0770 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:10.

Do the stocking caps match the pajama like jerseys they wore against the B's?

Submitted by The Cat on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:04.

Actually, he coached in the IHL and AHL. But I got to admit, without researching Id have never known it off hand.

Submitted by Chorske on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:57.

True, re: Perron. Not so sure about the stocking caps thing. There's a fine line somewhere, isn't there? I don't want them to be celibate teetotallers, but if I can lay off the booze the night before a big meeting, so can these dudes.

Submitted by HugeHabsFan on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:57.

I agree as well. A theory being discussed here at our paper by the few Habs fans we have (can't help we are in Ontario and have tasteless Leafs & Wings fans here, lol) is that the team may be working to rule because there are so many players that need to be signed and Bob Gainey won’t be talking to them about contracts until after the season. Personally, I'm not necessarily sure that is the case, but who knows?? Oh...and as long as they're watching The National and not the competition. ;o)) ........... "To you from failing hands we throw the torch. Be yours to hold it high." I STILL BELIEVE. I WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE.

Submitted by Natrous on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:17.

If working to rule equals maximizing your value for the biggest contract possible, that's a pretty idiotic idea that some player's agents should probably discourage.

Submitted by HugeHabsFan on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 15:06.

Totally agree Nat. Just water cooler talk. I'd like to believe it's "just" a funk and they will come out of it with flying colors. But that's me - I am forever the optimist. ;o) ........... "To you from failing hands we throw the torch. Be yours to hold it high." I STILL BELIEVE. I WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE.

Submitted by Dave Stubbs on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:52.

Loved Guy Lafleur's line in the recent CBC special on the Canadiens' centennial, talking about the team's party animals of the 1970s: "We loved to play guilty." And Jean Perron's motives about not wanting Carbo to suffer the same fate he did? Perron is so full of it, his eyes are brown. Dave Stubbs
Habs Inside/Out
Sports Columnist/Feature Writer, Montreal Gazette

Submitted by Big Bird on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 14:58.

As always, love your candour Dave.

Submitted by petemoss on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:40.

Hockey players party. In every city. They partied last year when they were winning, and they party this year when they are not. Why is this a problem now? This is a joke. Guys like Perron give MTL a bad name... This news will go around the league for sure. Higgins works hard most games. Are we supposed to believe this time is imploding because 3 guys are named as party animals? I was hoping HIO would avoid such sensationalism. I was disappointed to see MY hockey guru, Mike Boone post this.

Submitted by Natrous on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:28.

Back in the '70s and '80s I can see and understand the 'party' mentality of hockey players and the league in general, but since expansion and rule changes (which essentially increased the speed and intensity of the game), there is no longer any room for players who cannot maintain focus and stay out of the bars on the night before games. That, and the Habs of the '70s had *slightly* more talent than today's roster, who consider "playing guilty" as the act of giving up 2-3 times more shots against vs shots for.

Submitted by montreal ace on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:18.

The big buzz killer in all this partying, is going to be when these players enter into relationships,and then its going to be remember when.

Submitted by Yeats on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:47.

Maybe if the rest of the Habs had a little Captain Morgan in them, they could be excused as well!

Submitted by arcosenate on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:52.

Flash Gordon might make them a little faster.

Submitted by nick on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:44.

Ok, so that explains Sergei, Higgins, and Price, whats the rest of the teams excuse?

Submitted by Lafrich on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:43.

This story is insane. Going out late and getting drunk all the time would make a player sluggish and disinterested. Would it also make a player play his *** off every shift, but not score goals a-la-Higgins???? I DON'T THINK SO.

Submitted by HabsFan2 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:49.

"Would it also make a player play his *** off every shift, but not score goals a-la-Higgins????" Yeah, I remember last year to. sigh ---------------------------------------------- "I have come home." - Patrick Roy

Submitted by Yeats on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:43.

Warning to Boozy Habs: Don't drink and drive. You may spill some!

Submitted by Jay in PA on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:17.

That reminds me of PJ O'Rourke's suggestion that killing yourself via drug overdose is a bad idea because you might miscalculate the dose and just have a good time.

Submitted by arcosenate on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:40.

hockey players drinking? no way. i don't believe it. next thing they'll be saying hockey players drink at gentlemen's clubs. how far fetched can you get? now if jacques says the canadiens have a problem then perhaps there is more to it than meets the eye. but it would have to be a heck of alot of partying to warrant that kind of attention. anyway, if they are partying so much that it's affecting their stellar play of late then they should have their butts kicked for it. They make too much money not to deliver performance.

Submitted by Montrealer2 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:36.

What !!! Hockey Players drinking & partying......Say it isn't so . LoL. Hockey players make tons of dough & are in some of the wildest towns in the world on a relatively constant basis, & nowadays they are so wealthy,that going out is obvious,as long as they 'do their job' properly ,Who Cares,...I seem to Remember a #10 with his photo on the front page of Montreal Matin or Allo Police many years ago with a support pole from a chain link fence sticking right through the windshield of hi Caddy, ( while he was still asleep) & he was known to be a partyer ,I doubt he just fell asllep like they claimed, it was 4 am in Montreal (relatively eaarly) & he was hammered...but guess what when he came to the rink ,he played to win........These modern day players ,are not getting the job done on the ice,so everything they do on their own time ,will be under scrutiny....If the habs start winning & Price starts 'blocking ' the puck,..then nobody will give crap,if he stays out all night every night... ......but bottom line,.let's start seeing your job being done properly & then party

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:34.

You know reading these posts almost daily, it was agreed by many that Kovalev was to blame for the team (yes the entire team as most have said), that he is not a role model for the young guns, blah, blah, blah. But as soon as word gets out that Higgins is a boozer and is partying with the younger guys (being a terrible influence), there are excuses being thrown left, right, front, and center. Maybe Higgins is the bad seed, who knows. We all speculate, but be fair to the rest of the team and to the players. Call them out for what they do wrong, but don't call them out because they are not carrying the team this year like they did last year. The Kovy jabs are getting really old because it is apparent that HE is not the SOLE problem with this team. Higgins has to go, and this could be just another reason for it.

Submitted by Mattee. on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:26.

1) Carey Price & Gorges are best friends 2) Higgins & Komisarek are best friends 3) Sergei & Andrei K probably don't go anywhere without eachother. I couldn't see all these guys just leaving their buddies every night to go drink. On another note, are they pouring some down kovy's throat in his sleep?

Submitted by tony d on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:22.

the only one who's happy about this recent rumour is the "Octoplet Mom"...takes some of the spotlight off of her for a bit

Submitted by Chorske on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:23.

Haha, nice

Submitted by luxie on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:20.

oh and what about that rumour that Carey Price got a girl pregnant... ridiculous... and french media are wondering why free agent do not sign here...

Submitted by J.T. on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:18.

Gee...I always thought Perron was fired because he couldn't coach and had to ask Larry Robinson and Bob Gainey to step in and take control of the room before the 1986 playoffs. Whatever reason he's got for going public with his "sources," I think the one he gives is bogus. As for the party boys, I have no problem with them partying if they're discreet and it doesn't affect their on-ice performance. They're young, good-looking and rich and no one can expect them to be monks. You can, however, expect them to be adults and professionals and keep the partying under control when the season is on. If that's not happening, then there's a problem. However, it seems most of the team's previous amigos managed to grow up elsewhere as they got a bit older. Hopefully, the wise heads in charge of our team can get through to the boys without resorting to sending them away...if, indeed, there is even a real problem. http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com

Submitted by Scott in Montreal on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 13:04.

I have friends who party all night in the hot clubs around the lower Main and further south towards the old port. They see certain Habs constantly, and some - like Higgins - get completely wasted as a rule. Higgins is a happy drunk and quite approachable, I'm told. He will always give an honest answer without dissing his teammates or organization, much like in interviews, although he sways and slurs his words. This is nothing new. I remember seeing Manson, Recchi and Turner Stevenson (in suits) enjoying a few pints at an Irish pub near Crescent sometime in the November after Tremblay had gotten the boot. I'll never forget Manson telling me in a scratchy voice from the next urinal over how their relative success that season was mostly due to having a "real coach". But they didn't stay and get trashed. They had a game the next day and these pros were outta there by 11:00 pm. Now Pat Burns on the other hand...

Submitted by mrhabby on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:11.

"canadiens are aware they have a problem". is this just 3 of them going out for drinks every once in a while or is it party central every night???????. me not get this.

Submitted by James on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:17.

I don't think going out for drinks once in a while is considered a problem. But getting drunk the day before a game, not getting enough sleep, not showing up to optional practices, being out of shape due to lack of sleep/conditioning, THAT is a problem. If what Perron says is true, then some of the youngsters on the team are falling into that category. And before we all go bonanza on their collective arses, we have to realize that it was bound to happen. If the team isn't winning, they are likely to get depressed a bit and the natural human behavior is to try to hide from our problems with partying and drinking. At least it is, at this age. So yes, I'm willing to blame the young guys for being irresponsible, but I blame much more severely the Canadiens organization for not providing a personal coach/babysitter to these guys to ensure they are 'with the program'. They are not supervised at all outside of the arena, what do you expect from 20 year old guys who suddenly have MILLIONS of dollars to spend? Especially in a city with a nightlife like Montreal's...

Submitted by mrhabby on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:22.

damn, i wish i was them..money, hot babes, good food, hockey, the spotlight.

About Mike Boone

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Mike Boone

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I grew up in Park Extension, within walking distance of Dickie Moore's Dairy Queen on Jean Talon. Moore had a place on L'Acadie Blvd., and we used to see him driving around in his convertible with a Samoyed and a very dishy wife. While "studying" at McGill University during the 1960s, I used to attend games at the old Montreal Forum. My fellow undergraduate reprobates and I would scramble up the stairs to get centre-ice spots in the top standing room section, where aged ushers didn't know or care what we were smoking. I stood out in the cold for six hours to get tickets to the 1975 New Year's Eve game between the Canadiens and Central Red Army. With the exception of the birth of my daughter, the 3-3 tie was the greatest event I've ever seen in my life. The Canada-U.S. Gold medal game comes close .... but I wasn't there. I've been a professional journalist since 1974, when I joined the Montreal Star sports department. I've covered the 1976 Olympic Games, the 1979 Expos, pop music and MSO tours of Europe and Asia (classical musicians are WAY more fun to drink with than athletes). I wrote a TV & Radio column for 20 years and, since 2000, have written a City column for The Gazette. The best part of being a Habs Inside/Out contributor is attending games at the Bell Centre. I think it's a great building: noisy, raucous and packed to the rafters with Montrealers and visitors who live for hockey. And I still get goosebumps every time Michel Lacroix booms out "Accueillons nos Canadiens ..." Having seen the Boston Red Sox win two World Series and the Pittsburgh Steelers add a couple Super Bowl titles, I suppose I can die happy ... but not before another Stanley Cup parade. And I'd really like my daughter to see a historic New Year's Eve game. I like all the players. Covering baseball gives me a profound appreciation of pro athletes who aren't jerks. My weltanschauung was summarized by the late great Bill Hicks when he said "all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream and we are the imagination of ourselves." Have a nice day.

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Three Amigos III

posted by Mike Boone at 11h49 EST on Feb 17

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