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About Mike Boone
Full Name
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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I can't believe that Thorton chokes anytime there is any semblance of a game that actually means something. He always seems to perform better when there is no pressure. Guess that is why he is playing in California.
Don't let him come to Montreal, he will end up in Hamilton in no time or whatever is below Hamilton.
And yet, I'd take Big Joe a hundred times on my team before I'd take you, Kirki. And you might be great!
Dastardly yet quietly,
L.B. Potter, esq. Vice-Chairman of the Horde of Butterers at Flannelcom's Accountability Office and Senior Exponent of Relative Theory at Habsbros Investigative Services: http://habsbros.blogspot.com/
Well I have won the Stanley cup so I may be a little more usefull than Big Joe. Actually scored the cup winning goal.
What has Joe won ???
Anyone know if they have that stupid delay of game penalty for shooting the puck over the glass in the Olympics?
---Hope Springs Eternal---
Why? What are you planning for exactly?
Dastardly yet quietly,
L.B. Potter, esq. Vice-Chairman of the Horde of Butterers at Flannelcom's Accountability Office and Senior Exponent of Relative Theory at Habsbros Investigative Services: http://habsbros.blogspot.com/
canada going for gold on ctv, ski cross
edit: make that 6 gold medals!
Moan the podium my big fat behind. That's #6!
Oddly enough, one of the players I've followed the most at these Olympics has been Yannik Webber. And, I really can't stress enough how this guys career seems to have gone straight down the toilet. He is having such a terrible tournament, he's a turnover machine, takes bad penalities, and is showing none of the offensive abilities the Habs are convincing us that he has...
I really hope he can turn things around, because at this point his trade value is worth less than a plunger at Dollarama.
"These head movies make my eyes rain" -Simple Jack
I think folks have unrealistic expectations of Webber. They were looking for a Streit replacement. Webber hasn't shown any of that yet at the higher levels. Perhaps later.
And he's a shrimp,also
Keith and SEAbrook where the only D to play +20 min. last game
CB - That has to make the Black Hawks happy. If the goaltending holds up, they should be a good bet to make it to the final.
A Washington - Chicago Stanley Cup final would really be entertaining. I admire Crosby but the Caps are an exciting team that would be a great match for the young talent in Chicago.
Scary ! Roenick comment in Chicago that Halak could be the goalie that they need for a run at the cup,as well Habs recall Robert mayer 16-7-1, 2.65 av. from cinccinati farm team
Goaltending on both teams make that more of a dream than a reality right now. Varlamov is good, bt Theo isn't. Huet is wildly inconsistent during the playoffs. It's pretty much the last piece both teams need. They may get it done, but if I were Washington, Gigiuere might have been the guy to get.
Good point, Gilbert. Maybe New Jersey will have the edge seeing that Brodeur may now come back from the Olympics well rested:-)
I'm automatically disqualifying any team from the Finals if they play their goalie 70 games this year, those goalies always are worn to hell for playoff time and can't get the wins for their team. It's only happened once this decade and that was with a 30-year old Martin Brodeur and a prime of his career Scott Niedermayer.
Chicago will likely make a goalie move before/on March 3rd, Varlamov has to be Washington's man for a Cup.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
It's 3 P.M.!
Swiss vs Belarus.....a hockey game that actually matters!
Should be a good one.
"These head movies make my eyes rain" -Simple Jack
Note to Thornton and Marleau: The ice dancing competition ended last night...
Those two could not even handle 10 ends of a curling match. I would suggest the two man luge, let the two slugs lie on each other while going 90 miles an hour down the slide on a sled.
I remember not so long ago people were picketting to have Stevie Y as the Habs GM and Babcock as coach...funny how the winds shift. It appears BG, PG and JM are not the only ones that make mistakes after all...interesting and eye opening!
I'd say that the mistakes aren't so much keeping Carter and Green off of the team so much as they are having Boyle and a handful of the forwards(Perry,Morrow,Bergeron) on the team. That's Stevie Y. Babcock is treating Iginla and Brodeur like garbage and I don't think that's the guy you want around a team with a mix of vets and kids. If it's just kids then you're ok but not players in the twilight of their careers. Brodeur didn't play well against the U.S. but Babcock should know better than to put the loss on him. You don't win too many games when your third goal comes with under 5 minutes left in the game. And you do not bench your emotional leader and biggest energy guy in Iginla. If Mike Keenan can't find a reason to bench Iginla, how can Babcock?
well iginla didn't score a hatrick against the suisse or the US... so ya he deserves to be benched in my eyes.:-p
brodeur... well ya he stunk, deal with it ,go have a pizza with mr souray in rdp.(by the way the pizza there rocks lol)
I don't think Babcock was wrong in the way he handled Brodeur. A reporter asked him a question, and he answered truthfully by saying that they needed better in nets AND that they're defence needed to be better during that game, which we can all admit.
In all faireness...Brodeur sucked in the last game. Any of our other goalies Fluery or Loungo would have won that game.
Our D was bad yes, but they only gave up 23 (or close to it) shots which is pretty good.
He got called out....so what, he makes millions of dollars to play hockey. I get called out on my job when I screw up...why shouldn't he.
I tell you won thing, I am not worried about Jersey winning the cup this year
On HIO we tend to hang the suspect and then hold the trial afterwards
:-)
Yes as they say in the old west ,"Give them a fair trial, then Hang them"
I think I would rather wait until Team Canada plays it's LAST game before assessing the success of these two people.
Ultimately their mandate was to win the GOLD, so anything less will be a failure.
Habs brass is held equally accountable...I suppose. Just my commentary on how we always feel the grass is greener until we actually take a step on the lawn.
A fresh take on Team Canada's loss to Team USA: http://www.habsradio.com/2010/02/23/top-5-reasons-why-we-should-be-happy-team-canada-lost-to-team-usa/
=========================================================================== Check out www.HabsRadio.com for a fresh take on all things Habs. Blogs, Discussions, and of course, the Podcast!
Very well reasoned and written article. I agree completely. Thanks for posting the link HR
So how many of you knew that they were already breaking up Crosby and Nash? I just read the article and it is dated last night on TSN...based on the posts I read here I thought it was Crosby-Nash-Staal they were going with...they are going with Iginla-Crosby-Staal......I take back my whole rant about splitting up Crosby and Nash......why did noone stop me and tell me they already were?http://www.ctvolympics.ca/hockey/news/newsid=49721.html?cid=rsstsn.
I still have my doubts with Staal but splitting Crosby and Nash is the first step...if the game gets lopsided I think we'll see some other experiments too.....maybe even the dreaded splitting of the shark line?
Crosby has an uncanny ability to see the entire ice and is the premier setup guy. Why Babcock does not put him with a pure sniper like Heatley drives me nuts. Nash likes to carry the puck himself and that takes the puck away from Crosby. NOT what you want.
What Crosby needs is a guy that hides from the main play and sneaks into the open ice. HEATLEY! Iginla is a similar player with a better work ethic combined with a mean streak. But Heatley is a far superior sniper in my opinion because he stays away from the action. Heatley ONLY looks to score and that is his greatest strength or weakness depending on your point of view.
his weakness is driving
what an idiotic comment!
LOL.....
I'd say put Thornton on the 4th line for a while til he realizes he needs to actually play hockey to win the gold.
Pair up Crosby with Heatley and Morrow or something. I'd call that a pretty badass line. Playmaking with shooting and physical go-to-the-net play.
I like your line better than Babcock's for the exact reasons you have stated. I say leave Thorton in the Olympic Village to wash the real players jocks.
LMAO, Joe Thornton.
Oh, boy. There just aren't enough words in the english vocabulary to describe him as a player.
"These head movies make my eyes rain" -Simple Jack
Eklund Rumors:
Been chasing the Montreal Rumor for several days now. an here is what I have.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:These players/deals are not intended to be complete in any way and are based on a few sources who have their ear to the ground in a few cities.
On the Montreal/Edmonton/Dallas...
To Montreal: Cogliano, Brunnstrom, Smid and Dallas #2 2010, #1 2011.
To Dallas: Grebeshkov, Horcoff, another prospect player from Edmonton and Montreal's 3 in 2010.
To Edmonton: Price. Richards, a Habs Prospect, a Stars #2 next season.
On Montreal, Toronto, NJ and Peter Mueller...
On a much smaller level...The Canadiens also have great interest in Mueller.
Not too thrilled with the first trade, but would take Peter Mueller
Check out RDS trade rumors as well as Espn,Huet Crawford and versteeg for Vakon Seidenberg and Leopold
I like how Dallas gives up Brad Richards, Brunnstrom, 2nd pick in 2010, 2nd pick in 2011, 1st pick in 2011, and in exchange they get Grebeshkov, Horcoff(who's contract is just as bad as Gomez), a prospect, and a 3rd round pick.
Even better is how Edmonton gives up Cogliano, Horcoff, Grebeshkov, and a prospect and gets Brad Richards AND Carey Price, plus a habs prospect, plus 2nd round pick.
Eklund has serious acceptance issues.
Eklund has serious reality issues
Edit: it's worse than I thought. If I'm reading this right, Montreal traded it's 2010 3rd round pick for Robert Lang. So Eklund has them trading a pick they don't have.
Halák je veľké dieťa, ktoré ešte saje matkiných cecku. Oh yeah? Carey Price je veľrybí tuk, ktorý kričí ako opilec
you sure it was for lang? atlanta has that pick at the moment according to http://nhlyoungguns.com/NHL-2010-Entry-Draft-List-Top-210/ . i might be mistaken but i think it was a part of the schneider trade cant remember and the point is moot since both were rentals.
You may be right, I only wrote down what picks were in and out not which players. Either way, Eklund has us trading non-existant assets which kinda shoots his credibility in the foot IMO.
By the way, I love the fact that we have Toronto's 2nd round pick this year, so the leafs have no ist or 2nd of their own. LMAO.
Halák je veľké dieťa, ktoré ešte saje matkiných cecku. Oh yeah? Carey Price je veľrybí tuk, ktorý kričí ako opilec
I wonder how he figured Montreal stays under the cap with those players. Not just this year but next year too. Well, I guess there's one born every minute. The likelihood of that trade or anything similar to it happening is comparable to Latvia winning the Gold in Men's hockey.
Tonight's game: Canada shreds the Germans and their sour-crout. 9-1. Statement game for the Rooskies.
Tomorrow: 1-1 after the 1st period. Then, early in the 2nd period Webber goes to line up Ovechkin for an open ice hit, and Ovie lifts his stick and cross-checks Shea in the face. Ovie get's kicked out of the game, Canada takes it 5-2 with an empty netter.
This can, and will happen. Why? Because if it doesn't, we have to watch hockey for a week without cheering for one of our favorite teams (Canada and the Habs). Then, once the NHL resumes, we will get welcomed back to hockey with Benoit Brunet.....that's just a horrible scenario.
"These head movies make my eyes rain" -Simple Jack
........benoit brunet *shivers*
somehow.... if weber tries to run ovechkin i think he will be the one who ends up on his a$$ lol.
and we will see how pronger reacts when the russians crank up the speed and physical play :)
------------------
"enough said" is never enough said
Ovechkin is solid as a rock. But, even a rock can be broken.
Chevrolet Trucks were said to be "Like A Rock"....we all know what happens to them, lol.
"These head movies make my eyes rain" -Simple Jack
And Markov will have put himself back on the DL by then!
(SARCASM!!!)
Well, we will also be welcomed back by Pouliot and AK46 :)
GO JOANNIE!!!!!!!!!!!!
How many times have Hab fans wittnessed goalies, esp. ones from Quebec, come into the Bell Center, with it's atmosphere and live fans, and stand on their heads, for that one game, then, revert to their old form the next game. There's something about playing the Habs, in Montreal, that helps to raise the level of teams/players, and goalies. (Will we ever be able to forget when M. Biron STOLE the playoff series for Philly two seasons ago. Then he STUNK the place out against, letting in soft goal after soft goal, against the Penguins in the next series? The Habs outplayed, out shot, out hit Philly in that series, even with Price's struggles, Biron was the difference, end of story). The same can be said for players. We've all watched players like St. Louis, and Vinnie L. play their BEST games of the year when they play the Habs? If Vinnie and St. Louis played against every team the way they play against the Habs, Tampa would be in first place!
That is exactly what just transpired with Team C...Hiller played the game of a life-time, Striet (never should have let him go...hear that BG?) plays his best hockey during the Olympics, esp. against Team C. (Can't say the same for Webber, he was in way over his head, but I digress) Then there's Miller, looking like St. Patrick in his prime, against Canada. Does anybody really think team USA played a better game that Team C, or, that their players as a group, are better than ours? BUT, a hot goalie, as Hab fans can attest, is a killer. Lets see if Miller can sustain that level. I doubt it, beating Canada was/is their Gold Medal Game! (Kind of like the Bruins always lose the next series after they eliminate the Habs from the playoffs. That is THEIR Stanley Cup!) Teams raise their level of play against Canada...eventually the cream rises... which WILL happen in this case too. Don't look past the Germans...can it happen again?...Naw!!? Just too bad we have to play the Russians BEFORE the final, instead of IN the finals. Believe me, theyr'e pissed too.
Canada has not played Badly, other than not relaxing and playing to their strengths. Broadure has been the weak link...lets face facts, he has feasted off that crappy style of play that serves the Devils so well. He's a good goalie no doubt, but the GREATEST! That's a stretch if you are going to be objective about it. In a word...Overrated. Pronger and Niedermayer look out of place with the speed of the game. These are guys were obviously also selected on past reputation, that has to stop. That said, it would appear there is some substance to the thinking that Thorton is NOT a money player. Looks tentative for sure.
Since were talking about deserving players, M A Fluery should get the next start over Luongo. What has Luongo accomplished? Fluery is battle proven. He was THE difference in the Pens defeat over the Wings last year!
Play the young guys on D, Boyle, Keith, Seabrook, Webber...Dowdy's amazing at 20 years!!
Despite the players who aren't, or can't carry their weight, there's enough talent on the rest of this team to carry Canada to the Gold. Go Canada!!
Boyle isn't exactly young... and it's Doughty.
I'm with you on the goaltending shelackings we get when native boys come to play and it's a shame because all these tenders should play those types of games all of the time.
Price was victimized by R.J. Hamburger too.
As far as who should play for Canada, I really believe it's Luongo.
Fleury and Brodeur have been held together by their respective teams this year.
Vancouver's defence is far from the best. Luongo can steal games by himself.
Maybe it's because you don't get to watch him enough on the East coast. I despise the Canucks but Luongo is the only reason I watch their games when I can. He is absolutely spectacular when he gets through his annual beginning of the season slumps.
I'm rooting for him 100% and I believe he can stone the Russians.
To me, Luongo is a more seasoned and bigger version of Halak. Can you go wrong with that?
Ya Doughty, thanks, probably should have looked that up....I don't have a problem with Luongo, your'e right we don't see enough of the guy here in the East...I'm just saying the older guys playing on Canada, based on their past reputation, are hurting this teams' chances, right now, that could change, these guys are pros...There's no point crying over who SHOULD have been selected, just working with the guys that are there now. Luongo has a reputation, and, he's not excactly old either, for sure, but, what's he really done? Vancouver's a prety good team this year, he could be beniffiting from that also. In any case, were going to find out cause Luongo is definitely starting.
My point is, this is far from over...I still believe Canada wins it all
If Team Canada looks past the Germans it would be a big mistake. I don't expect the Germans to be able to compete, but I'd really like to see the Canadian team look after the details to get this done, and done right. If Germany wins, I'd laugh my butt off and watch the crucifixion of Yzerman and Co., just like Turin.
However, I will still stand by my thought that Russia has more of everything required to win a short winner takes all tournament. I'd love for Team Canada to prove me wrong, starting tomorrow night. But, like I stated earlier, one game at a time.
Honestly, we can debate all we want about the line combinations and goaltending situation, but I think the real issue with Team Canada has been pride.
Team USA looked like a really proud group playing for their country. Canada, and even Russia for that matter, haven't looked like that. Every American player looks like they would lose a tooth or two to win a game, can't say that about our guys so far. A nation's pride for the crest on the sweatter can beat talent and skill anyday.
Hope something can spark a jolt in pride for the remainder of Canada's games.
"These head movies make my eyes rain" -Simple Jack
I think the Americans looked scared and very relieved, hence the jumping all over oneanother after each lucky break and the final result. As good as they are, they remain outclassed and can't be too proud of that unless they're, ....oh wait they are american!
I hate to say it but the game that "should" occur between the U.S. and Czech Republic will very likely be the most entertaining game of the tournament because of the pride you just spoke of.
it's kinda funny saying that luongo will have a big game tonight. like in all honesty would brodeur lose this game if he were playing? doubtful... This is a warm up for luongo. Surprised no one is talking about potential back to back games and talking about how the goalies will be tired lol.
People are blaming this on the game against the US which we knew all along was daunting...we all knwew that Miller could do what he did...no surprise. where our mistakes were made were against the Swiss...too much cute passing, no extra effort, too much line mixing IMO and now we have to meet the Russians in the quarters....I am not sure and perhaps someone who knows more will correct me but if we had not lost that extra point the Russians would not be our quarterfinal matchup would they?
if Canada only beats Germany, then loses to Russia, we get shutout of any possible medal? wow!
I honestly believe Canada will beat Germany, but I can't see any way Canada will beat Russia with all their firepower such as Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Malkin, Datsyuk, Markov. just can't see Thornton and Marleau getting the job done.
This is all on Yzerman. you picked the wrong players! didn't he notice that Thornton and Marleau have always been invisible in the playoffs a few years in a row ? why do you think SJ never gets past the 1st round?
It's incredulous how stupid Stevie was in picking these no shows.
The same Russia team that lost to Slovakia?
How come they aren't washed up, no heart, no leadership, no skill, they lost because they didn't take so-and-so over so-and-so, etc etc.
in all fairness it's not like Canada did any better against Switzerland.
russia lost in the 7th round in the shootout, Canada beat Switzerland in the 6th round (??) agasint a team with zero skilled forwards
------------------
"enough said" is never enough said
I have no problems admitting Canada has struggled, my point was more towards the people who seem to think that Russia has been perfect all tournament long and will destroy anybody they play.
oh kk... i totally agree.
for a team with such good goal scorers, you would think they would have a bit more finish
------------------
"enough said" is never enough said
If we beat Germany, we play Russia in a semi final. If we lose that one, we still play for bronze.
Semifinals – Friday, February 26
Semi #1
United States/Swizerland/Belarus winner
vs.
Finland vs. Czech/Lativa winner
Semi #2
Russia vs. Canada/Germany winner
vs.
Sweden/Slovakia/Norway winner
Bronze Medal Game – Saturday, February 27
Semifinal #1 loser vs. Semifinal #2 loser
Goal Medal Game – Sunday, February 28
Semifinal #1 winner vs. Semifinal #2 winner
But we will beat Russia.
if we lose to russia, we play for busfare
You're right. I misread the Russia vs Canada/Germany winner.
Damn.
Tonight's game is a preliminary round playoff. The game against Russia is a quarter-final. If we lose, we are out. The four winners from the quarter-finals will then advance to the semi-finals.
russia...give me a break. They'll fall. we're going to hit them and wear them down. I haven't been impressed with russia in the opening round. Canada will come out with 2 big wins. And by the way thorton would be on every other olympic team
btw... if you start hitting Russia, I dunno who will come out worst for wear.
Russia has some pretty big hitters in Ovechkin, Volchenkov, Tyutin, Grebeshkov,and others.
even the smaller forwards like radulov and semin play more physical.
while you guys have pricness like thornton and marleau, and crsoby never hits.
------------------
"enough said" is never enough said
i would rather ovi focuses on hitting us lol his strength is scoring not hitting
Can somebody please explain to me why people are down on Rick Nash? I see a guy driving the net and chasing down loose pucks like Fat Albert chased down hot dogs. This guy doesn't know the meaning of the word quit and for my money has been creating more scoring chances than any other forward on our Canadian roster. He hasn't scored a goal but his line is scoring and he's a big reason for it. If we had 19 skaters playing just like him there would be no controversy surrounding this team.
Nash is supposed to be a goal scorer. In 10 Olympic games he has zero goals. Working hard is great but unless he puts pucks in the net I consider him a fail.
Is Mike Cammalleri a failure if he comes back from injury after the deadline and plays 10 games without a goal with two new linemates?
I don't really understand the comparison? Is Nash coming back from a long layoff due to an injury? Did Cammy have Crosby as his linemate?
This is the OLYMPICS dude, put up or go home. Nash is on the team to score goals not to be a mucker in the corners. Nash is supposed to be an elite sniper and so far his Olympic experience has been a FAIL. Sorry if he is your fav player but stats don't lie.
You don't understand that comparison....fine. How about if Mike Cammalleri goes 10 games with 2 new linemates without a goal? Failure? And not coming off of injury. It's the NHL dude, put up or go home. Like I said before, scoring isn't a switch you turn on and off regardless of who you are. Every skater on that team can be a 30-40 goal scorer on their respective teams except Bergeron and Morrow. There are players on that team that the coaching staff looks to for goals, sure. However, Team Canada is supposed to be built on any player being able to step up and do what's needed. If scoring is needed, where are Marleau and Perry? Staal and Getzlaf? Nash's play deserves 20 minute/night icetime and it doesn't matter how many goals he scores for that to be true.
If Thornton or Marleau were playing the way Nash is I'd be calling for them to play 20 minutes/night too. My opinion on this matter isn't clouded by favourites.
Nash: work add, be a force physically, create chance after chance, but don't score = fail.
Heatley: float and don't work, but be the team's leading scorer = fail.
As long as you have something to complain about, you're happy, right?
Nash = fail
Heatley = doing what we expect him to do
Thank you for having some sense malreg, we are truly in the minority. People that haven't played the game don't understand that when scoring isn't happening for you, you have to work to do other things effectively. Scoring isn't a switch you turn on and off. And when those 20 footers aren't finding the twine, you do things like drive the net to manufacture goals. You don't have to work in hockey malreg, you just have it or you don't and scoring is easy, no goal scorer in the history of the nhl or internation competition has ever had a slump. At least the guy's playing his damn heart out which is less than what can be said for a lot of the other players in that lineup.
I have played hockey since the age of 7 and continue to do so. The truly elite players perform on the BIG stage with NO excuses. Nash has underperformed due to the fact he has NEVER scored in an Olympic game. Every player on Team Canada was picked to fill a specific role and Nash was put on the roster to score. If Josh Georges was on the team he would work and play his heart out and leave nothing on the ice. Big deal.
Oh, and if they had picked players that "just score" Stamkos and Cammalleri and Carter would be on that team. Perhaps there's more to a hockey game than the puck going in the net. Weird.
It's true that "there's more to a hockey game than the puck going in the net". Unfortunately, that's seems to have been the Habs philosophy over the past 10 years or so.
By that logic Thornton, Marleau, Heatley, Getzlaf, Perry, Staal, Morrow, Richards, Bergeron, Weber, Doughty, Luongo, Niedermeyer and Keith have all underperformed. Nash is performing. There is more to this game than scoring goals and if you had played you would understand that.
Ummmm...I believe I said that I have played the game for years. I also said each player was chosen for specific roles and for their strengths in particular areas. Nash is supposed to be a goal scorer and under that criteria is NOT performing.
Comparing Nash to players who play different positions is a bit of a stretch.
ps what is your hockey background as to be so dismissive of everyone else?
First of all, you say stats don't lie. Stats don't measure a player's worth. Would Dallas have won a cup without Jere Lehtinen or Anaheim without Sam Pahlsson? How much of a contributing factor has Glen Metropolit been to Montreal's wins? Mathieu Darche? It doesn't matter why a player was brought on board. Here is the difference. Nash isn't scoring, granted! But he is doing other things to compensate for the lack of scoring that make him a valuable asset to the team and justify him playing, and remaining on the top line. Thornton and Marleau, Getzlaf included were also brought to team Canada to generate scoring and they are not, not at times that make a difference anyway. What are they doing to compensate for their lack of scoring? NOTHING! They aren't making up for it in anyway whatsoever. To answer your last question I played hockey competetively for 20 years and have coached for 10 years, scouted for 8.
Babcock has taken Nash off the Crosby line. So I guess the coaching staff does not share your enthusiasm for the play of Nash.
Unfortunately they have not put Heatley with Crosby, as I am certain Heatley would be a scoring machine with Crosby.