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About Mike Boone
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Mike Boone
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http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/columnists/mike_boone.html
About
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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Good thing for us Finnish Habsfans. Now when we have a Swede on the roster, our sport-cable tv probably shows more Habs´games. ESPN-360 Europe online could be useless next season!
To be honest, I have no problem with this new team. Only player who should go, i think, is Pleks.
Oh, the Irony of playing Washington in Olympic Stadium!
http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2009/7/14/948612/oh-the-irony-and-dang...
I can see it now, the Olympic Stadium roof collapsing, a steel beam taking out Alexander Ovechkin on a breakaway.
Some inebriated frenchman on the blueline shouts, "Ha, you capitalistic pig bastard, now we har heven. You have hour Hexpos, we take haway Hovechkin. Ha!"
You forgot to say, "I fart in your general direction!"
So apparently the NHL is planning to fail us yet again and is thinking of throwing Ovie into the Big O game, only in NOVEMBER instead of the actual Habs birthday, which would then throw the Bruins in at the Bell Center on December 5th (not the 4th). Apparently the NHL won't grace it's oldest fanchise a game on it's bloody own actual 100th birthday.
And still Bettman makes over 7-million to be NBC's puppet.
Your link doesn't work. :(
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/ovechkin-invited-to-big-o-bash/article1217158/
Apparently, Dale Tallon is out as GM in Chicago and replaced by Scotty Bowman's son, Stan Bowman. I thought Tallon did a wonderful job reviving the franchise through drafts and adequate signing. Despite getting Hossa, the fact that the Hawks are up agnst the Cap and might no have room to sign Toews and Kane might be a thought that lead to this decision. We can talk about it when it becomes official. Until then, Good Night!
Scotty is one of the greatest all time coach/GMs. Does he have what it takes in today's NHL? Who knows. As for pedigree (mentioned in the article), that's a bunch of hooey. Stanley Bowman might be very talented and knowledgeable. I don't know. But the fact that he is Scotty's son has nothing to do with it.
I'll give you coach but GM? I think not. The last time he was a GM was in Buffalo and that was going back more than 25 years ago and I say Shawn Anderson is all anyone needs to say.
and I'm hab itually feeling kind of blue
He was Detroit's GM before Holland took over...
... from James Mirtle - Bowman's plurge: Tallon get rid of Savard and then i'll get rid of you. ..... http://www.fromtherink.com/2009/7/14/948578/bowmans-take-over-in-chicago
Hey has anyone watched the Mara highlights on the habs official website? The hell with Schnieder - this guy has one hell of a slapshot. So many goals almost immediately off the faceoff - BAM -in. It makes me glad we signed him.
Does anyone else feel like the 09-10 Habs are going to surprise. Either going to be a stronger team and finish in 3rd or 4th in the conference, or totally tank and nosedive into oblivion.
~ Listen to the smart dog - he knows his poop!
i think they will surprise i am thinking 1st in the northeast 3rd in the east( but really about 5th in pts totals not looking at division leaders) i think boston will tank and the rest of the northeast is week. But this all does depend on Pricey if he can play the way we all know and hope he does we have a shot.
We forget there is Metropolit in our lineup now, and if you add Engvqistlkojoisoji that should make for an exciting matchup.....althought Metropolit has been quiet, but adding someone like Engvistlkjojoi and Cammaleri, we have a promising season, if we keep Price out of nets.
Without a paddy wagon full of injuries, I expect a .500 October, with gradual improvement during the season. If the chemistry comes together, the Habs could end up top 5 in the East. If they actually stick up for each other, they have a good shot at getting by 2 rounds. Call me optimistic.
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Beliveau is the best that ever was.
At least Bob gives the fans "hope". It is like buying 6/49. New coaches and new team.
I have the same feeling. Time for someone to run a complete season simulation with NHL 09.
Aurevoir Alex and Saku, thanks for the memories.
I feel that way too. Either we're going to be cup contenders or we'll be in the bottom of the conference. Hope it's the former.
Either way I'd be happy. Stanley Cup or 1st draft pick over-all! Anything in between would be a disaster! It's just a joke OK Bill J and citizenSanto. ;-)
Truthfully, I think we'll be contending and I see this team as playoff material.
lol :P
I agree btw - this team is playoff bound - how deep, depends on the chemistry the guys develop over the season.
... Yotes trade Lisin to Rangers for Korpikoski (source tsn) - Sather is setting up something (Zherdev ?).
i can't find it on tsn.ca can u show me the source page?
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Taylor Hall on the 2010-2011 roster
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=284663
boys this rumour sound true? i mean it makes sense schnieder would be a great captain.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/boards/thread.php?thread_id=66879&page=2
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Taylor Hall on the 2010-2011 roster
interesting that habs would be considering signing schneider that would leave us with log jams at defence and forward and even goalie with halak and price.... i smell trade !!!!
schneider's not going to be our captain for sure even if he signs...he hasn't even met with martin yet...and JM hasn't even decided if it's going to be him choosing, or if there's going to be a vote...
- thanks for everything, saku koivu.
so u think BG;s done signing ufa;s? and do u think pleks is getting traded?
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Taylor Hall on the 2010-2011 roster
i would say he's done signing UFAs...we have 11 forwards, (lapierre, latendresse, kostitsyn x 2, plekanec, moen, laraque, cam, gionta, gomez, metro), which leaves 3 spots (1 roster, 2 bench) for d'agostini, paccioretty, stewart, chipchura and anyone from the bulldogs to step up for forwards...and we have 6 dmen (markov, gill, hammer, spacek, mara, gorges) with 1 spot for o'byrne, subban, weber to take up...unless we go with 2 extra dmen and only 1 extra forward (which could make sense with the depth we have)
pleks might get traded if a big center is coming back in return...that's all i can imagine...otherwise we have to hope he comes up big (in all ways possible)
- thanks for everything, saku koivu.
Plex was my whipping boy for a while at the end and after the season. I'd still give him another go with J. Martin as coach. He's defensively sound, rarely gets injured (well, he plays a stay away from contact type of hockey) and can skate and score. He'll rebound this year and pot 30 goals. *hopes*
Our very own reliable Eklund reports that Has are looking to sign Schneider a reasonable amount. He is also convinced that Schneider is our next captain. Thoughts?
And can ANYONE shut up Julie who loves hockey?
Ditto. At least if she was worth looking at we could shut her up and watch but I just press stop.
Aurevoir Alex and Saku, thanks for the memories.
Either click pause or mute. She's so annoying.
lol julie's damn annoying,
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Taylor Hall on the 2010-2011 roster
When it comes to hating Julie Does Hockey, take a number. EVERYONE in my house hates her. She's loud and obnoxious, and sounds like a high school act.
As for Schneider, that would be awesome. I wanted them to sign him. He was a smart addition.But since Eklund said it, no way in hell it's true.
~ Listen to the smart dog - he knows his poop!
can someone link me to this julie does hockey? (it sounds like it'll end up being adult material any day now...probably starring sean avery.)
- thanks for everything, saku koivu.
Just go to hockeybuzz.com and wait to be assaulted by he irritating voice and stupid high-school act.
~ Listen to the smart dog - he knows his poop!
another dman? weber and subban are that far off?
i say no to signing schneider...which answers the second question :P
- thanks for everything, saku koivu.
Thanks to all for your kind words today, I really appreciate it.
Franklin the Beagle, 7/1/2002-7/13/2009
He looks like he was a true friend. Hang in there.
Eventhough I'm not fond of dogs at all, I'd also like to offer my condolences. Looks like he was a real special one.
Aurevoir Alex and Saku, thanks for the memories.
In doggie heaven, there's a fire hydrant every three feet.
My condolences to you and your family. Stay strong.
My - our - condolences on the passing of your pup Franklin. I hope he meets up with our late Bernese Mountain Dog Johann in the afterlife. As it should be, all dogs go to heaven!
http://www.nhlnumbers.com/compare.php?season=0910
This is how we stack up with the Salary Cap to other teams.
Interesting problem San Jose has...
16 players signed with just under 2 Million $ to fill those last 4-5 spots....
a trade imminent for San Jose - with many players heading to SJ... preferably low salaries (Chipchura + Plekanec + Hamrlik + Draft Pick for Joe Thornton ?)
Wishful thinking. Very unlikely they'd take Hamrlik's contract as they are well stocked with competent Dmen. Take out Hamrlik and that might be enough for Patrick Marleau if he waives his ntc clause.
just watched sportscenter, They had a clip on Lucic. He had a jersey that looked like a hab jersey to me, for some sort of fundraiser in vancouver. Does anyone know what jersey he wore for juniors? Komo probably got scared if he was watcing tsn.
just watched it again on tsn.ca. It is a hab jersey but with ea sports logo in the front. He looks good in those colors
This kid has the potential to be a proven goal scorer. He has very good hands around the net and is a force when he carries the puck by taking right for the net.
I think this kid may crack the lineup in Oct. We'll see what happens at camp & during preseason games. He seems to have a good wrister and nose for the net. And, his weight will increase as he fills out and bulks up more in the next couple of years. Nevertheless, hockey is a very different beast in the NHL compared with the Swedish Elite League. Biggest challenge will be to play a North American physical game and take a lot of hits while trying to keep a scoring touch. Time will tell.
I see some are actually predicting where the Habs will finish next season. While you're at it, how well do you think they will do in the 2028-2029 season? I think they will finish somewhere between 4th and 9th unless Lecavalier's son is injured.
And they will beat the Bruins in the first round. Actually, that last one will probably come true.
there won't be a 2028-2029 season...i'm afraid..world is going to end December 20th 2012!
- thanks for everything, saku koivu.
C'mon likehoy, everybody knows it's the 21st.
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Beliveau is the best that ever was.
woops! i'd be the only one on the 20th freaking out with my 2012 hat! while everyone is busy preparing for the 21st...thanks for the heads up!
(it'd be epic if we had a game on the 21st against the leafs! and they call it the final showdown or something like that)
- thanks for everything, saku koivu.
The Habs will be reminiscing in 2012 still with Gainey and his 1000 year rebuild of the Habs, only to be eclipsed by the Laffs wishing they could win a cup by the year 2020......and we'll marvel as Gainey will continue to sign almost good players and wonder why he can't win with pint sized centremen....heck in the next life we'll watch Gainey again, tinkle with pint sized centremen and still wonder why he can't win a cup in Stanley Cup Heaven! Oh the Gods of Hockey have frowned on us and given us the Molson/Gainey curse!
You know this is one of the most relevant posts I have seen in quite a time. A stone age tribe, noted for ripping the beating hearts out of human sacrifices, predicts the one dimensional rotation of the sun around the galaxy on the premise that the universe revolves around them, with a fixed start and end point, and somehow it equates to predicting the Habs season finish.
Probably better method than anything recited to here up to now:) To heck with the cap and CBA figures, as long as we can get past the end of time we should be ok. Say, is Carbo busy...where did I last see my obsidian knife...only another 26000 years to a Cup. Give or take.
Thanks for the fun. Gosh I miss the good old Y2K stuff.
You don't look Mayan!
Franklin the Beagle, 7/1/2002-7/13/2009
He's gone here and he'll wait for you.
http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm
http://moeymusings.blogspot.com/
Good dogs go to heaven too !! bro
ALL pets (and other animals too) go to heaven.
Ali B.
thats why i act like an animal.
Why don't you let people do what they want on this site? If they (me included) want to predict the standings, let em! You don't have to be a smart *** about it. It's not like we're doing anything wrong. It's all opinions.
Was I being a smart ***? Or is that another of your predictions.
you need a dog avatar. wtf is up with all these guys with dog photos anyway? and to the other poster here....sorry about the loss of your beagle but i mean...good grief
Its a dog eat dog world, and the Habs when they signed Bob Gainey, the Habs literally went to the dogs, isn't it funny that their farm team is well, the bulldogs....and next they'll change the name of the Brossard facility to the kennel!
I don't have to be psychic to know that you're an asswipe.
Another prediction. You can't stop yourself.
Looks like fun. Here let me try one... I predict you will reply to this with another juvenile comment.
Habs win 40th cup in 4 game sweep of the Albaquerque Javalina's.
Franklin the Beagle, 7/1/2002-7/13/2009
A bit of Future History: The Javalina's, also known as Bettman's Piglets had previously been the Toronto Maple Leafs, however, in 2017, Lord High Commisioner Bettman tricked the Toronto franchise into accepting the move to New Mexico by convincing them that Montreal really wanted to be the ones to move. Toronto, having an extreme Habs envy jumped to keep the Habs from getting what they wanted, leaving Montreal as the last Canadian hold out.
Franklin the Beagle, 7/1/2002-7/13/2009
Condolences, Rugger. He looks like he was a great dog.
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Beliveau is the best that ever was.
I think Habs are really status quo right now. If we have gotten the chemistry right with all the players, we could be a great team next year. Plus if Price and Halak (Price especially) play well next year, then along with good chemistry, we could really be great; probably in the top 5 teams of Eastern Conference. Now if it doesn't go so well, we'll probably finish 9th or 10th. To me, it's really hard to say how the Habs will be next year, which is one of the reasons I'm so excited to see the season to begin. But things look real good right now. So I think Habs will finish between 4th and 6th place in the Eastern Conference. We can hope as always that we make it far in the playoffs if we get there.
A RH center that goes to the net? Another astute pick up. This summer is getting better and better.
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Beliveau is the best that ever was.
i think that forward Andreas Engqvist looks good on the youtube footage i wonder how far away hell be for joining the bulldogs or even the habs this year even though i dont think hell be good enough to join the habs this year
Hello Habbies,
It's been a while that I've written here, but I wanted to mention a few things:
- I think the team is more expensive this year than last, and is much weaker! The Tanguay-Koivu-Kovy line is stronger than whatever #1 line is thrown together.
- I don't know what Bob meant by the "big impact forward" that he sought when he courted Mats last year.
- I understand that the $7 mill + for Gomez was used to court other players, but in my mind, why not throw that much money to a Gobrik, Hossa, Havlat? A real impact forward?
- I've had the opportunity of watching Cammy over the past season in Calgary. He worked well with Iggy, but I just don't see the team having another 35+ goal scorer.
- As much as this has been beaten to death already, I would have really liked to see Kovy back in a Habs uni. While some of you will say that Bob was wise in holding off until the end of the season, he had LOTS of opportunity to talk to Kovy and Komo in the month of June. I think Kovy will have an 80+ point season working with Alfy and Spezza...
- I think Schneider's shot and experience could help the team and PP, especially if Bob can sign him cheap ($1 - 2 million).
- Hats off to Mathieu Dandenault, a classy man who gave it his all and didn't complain about his limited ice time.
- I think Higgins will be a 15-20 goal scorer. Koivu carried him in a Habs uniform.
- Finally, Koivu's departure is one that I don't mind: during the long February losing streak, I really felt that the team hit a low. I don't question the amount that Saku has done for the organization or city, but I look back to the early 90s; Serges pulled a big trade that shipped Brent Gilchrist and Shayne Corson for Vinnie D. Just a few years later, the Cup came home.
- It will be interesting to see what type of chemistry this team has. Does the team have a top 10 elite forward? I don't think so. Perhaps a top 25 or 30 with Cammy. Will the brothers break out of their funk? Will Pleks rebound after a disappointing season? Will Maxime have another repeat successful campaign? How successful will the PP be? and who will be the playing SH? Will Price be able to rebound after a very mediocre year?
It should be an interesting season. Expectations are low this season. IMHO, they are not a top 4 or 8 team as they have lost some speed, size and talent.
do us all a favour and stay in Calgary.
Just one question how much of an impact could Havlat or Gaborik make when they are injured most of the season and as far as Hossa, it has really showed how much he help the Penguins in 08 and the Redwings in 09, Hossa is overated and useless. But hey, they would make an impact alright...in the wrong direction.
"To you from failing hands we throw the torch. Be it yours to hold high."
Sorry, I agree that Hossa was a huge disappointment in the 09 playoffs. But he was incredible during the Pens run in 08. In fact I thought he was the best of the Pens that year. Then he gets to Detroit and scores all his 6 goals of the playoffs in 3 games. Lights out.
I'm only going to say one thing because you are entirely entitled to your opinion, and I don't want to cut it down. If you lived here last year, and experienced the mess that was the HABS season, you really had to expect exactly this. I'm not saying you guys from out of the city don't get it, I'm not saying that at all - but if you were in Montreal during last years debacle, you really felt the negativity pulsating from the core of the city about the HABS. It was an awful seaon, an embarassing season for players and fans alike. The only thing I'm surprised about is that we have Scott Gomez on our team..lol
I could not agree more!
let the dam season start already i wanna watch some cammilleri one timers!!!!
His release is as almost quick as Shutt's. Let's hope that it's as prolific, too!
Montreal will make the playoffs next year, but they won't make it past the first round. Philidelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh, New Jersey and Boston are all tougher and more skilled than the Canadiens. Better hope Carey Price turns out to be a Patrick Roy clone, because the Canadiens have remained stationary as a two-bit team just trying to make the playoffs.
Even if the Habs surprised everyone and had a dominating regular season they don't have the horses to pull themselves through multiple playoff rounds. And they won't for years as they have a bunch of smurfs tied up to long term contracts that only idiots would trade for (Like Scott Gomez, who in their right mind would trade for him?).
New Jersey? The just signed Lemaire and Tremblay as coaches. They aint going anywhere. Brodeur is showing too much rust.
hmmm Mario eh???? Brodeur should be available right about xmas time then....interesting indeed.
must be a laffs fan!
i wouldn't say washington and pittsburgh are tougher teams...but are more skilled for sure...
but we could beat them depending on our coaching...sometimes great coaches and systems go a long way
- thanks for everything, saku koivu.
OH MY,!
I just have to tell you people what I just heard on the N.Y. news station. Nothing to do with hockey but in New York a university grad was asked two questions.
The 1st- what countries boarder the USA-- answer Australia and Hawaii.
2nd- what does the D.C. stand for in Washington D.C., has to be a french fella, answer, DA Capital.
Sure glad I only went to grade 6 and not his University.
I read somewhere that over a third of US college students cannot explain why a year has 365 days.
I should add that I've taught university-level courses on both sides of the border and students are pretty much the same in Canada and the USA in terms of what they know- or don't know. Just in case anyone tries to make this a "stupid USA" thing. For instance, a McGill student once asked me if insects were animals, or just, you know, insects. Another once asked me what clouds were made of.