Log in & Sign up
You are not logged in.
About Dave Stubbs
Full Name
Dave Stubbs
Web site
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/columnists/dave_stubbs.html
About
Dave Stubbs has been a sportswriter since 1976, which was roughly a decade after he wore the first of many holes through the knees of his jeans playing nets in road hockey (using a modified butterfly popularized by Hall of Famer Glenn Hall). He still has the welts to show on his shins from that rotten, frozen orange ball.
Stubbs kept thick hockey scrapbooks filled with game summaries and Gazette and Montreal Star stories, collected dozens of Bee Hive Corn Syrup photos and put a fortune of hockey cards through the spokes of his bikes. First book ever owned: Scrubs On Skates, the classic by Scott Young (Neil's dad).
Stubbs's fantasy is to travel back in time to the 1950s and watch the great Canadiens dynasty that won five consecutive Stanley Cups. Or a decade earlier, to watch Elmer Lach centre Rocket Richard and Toe Blake on the fearsome Punch Line. Or at least to get Rogie Vachon into the Hockey Hall of Fame – where he belongs.
Boone's Online Eeee-mail
Share the agony and ecstasy of Habs fandom and read live blogs from every game with Gazette columnist Mike Boone.
The Puckcast
Weekly commentary and inside info about the Canadiens straight from the Gazette's experts.
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Follow Habs Inside/Out on Twitter, featuring live updates from Gazette feature writer Dave Stubbs.The Other Wing
The Other Wing features regular Habs commentary by some bloggers we like.
The Rules
Habs Inside/Out encourages lively debate, but there is a zero-tolerance policy regarding racism, profanity and behaviour that we deem to be offensive. We will, without warning, ban those who do not abide by this simple rule, so as to maximize the enjoyment of readers and participants of both sexes and all ages.
Habs Inside/Out main RSS feed
Mike Boone's RSS feed
PuckCast RSS feed
Other Wing RSS feed
Site concept and design by User Generation
Most Commented
Most commented posts from the last 7 days:
Resources
Player info: League info:Habs Inside/Out: Absolutely everything about the Montreal Canadiens For editorial inquiries, contact Gazette sports editor Stu Cowan (scowan@thegazette.canwest.com). For advertising inquiries, please contact your Gazette sales representative (gazadv@thegazette.canwest.com). ©2008 The Gazette, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. Terms and Conditions Privacy Statement
Does anyone know where you can watch the game online... CBC sports insnt showing it, and ATDHE link isnt working
if atdhe isnt working yet, it should be soon
RIP 2009/2010
I think Halak can steal it tonight, hes good at stopping the bleeding, habs been bleeding for 3 games.
I hope so. I want to see that pissed off Caps fan on Sportscentre again.
here's some audio for you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D6JMg1e4DM i wanna know which HIO member this is lol my guess is that its Gerry cause it sound like hes talking in bold italics
What are the odds that Saku is brought back next season and reclaims his capitaincy? Personally, I really hope this happens. He comes back where he belongs, Markov finally gets a good defensive partner in Subban, Obyrne becomes a physical beast...the cup will be ours.
As for tonight, Halak will rob the caps and the forwards will light Varlamov up like a christmas tree, en route to our eliminating the caps in 7. GO HABS GO!
Gomez, Plekanec, Koivu are too similar...Habs need some variety at centre.
I wonder how much bashing will go on tomorrow with a big Halak win tonite???
"Size Matters Not. Yoda"
I don't know about others, but unless Halak pulls 3 consecutive shutouts (or 1 goal games). I doubt people's opinion of Management & Coaches will change much with ONE win.
Only way Montreal wins is if Jaro goes on a tear, against the best team in the league, who happens to be on fire right now.
The summer of 2010 could potentially be a memorable one. Here are some of my fantasy-GM moves:
Gone via free agency: Mara, MAB, Metro. 3.5mil off the books.
Re-signed: Pleks for 4 years and 20 million (has to be done before July 1, otherwise we'll lose him via a bidding war). Price signed for 2 years at 5mil. Moore signed for another year at 1mil. Costs for those three go up from 6mil this past year to 8.5mil. Still 1mil out there.
And then here it comes, the big draft weekend deal: Kostitsyn brothers, Hamrlik, Halak and our third rounder to FLA for Nathan Horton, Tomas Vokoun, D prospect Michael Caruso and the Panthers' third rounder. FLA makes the trade so they can get younger and cheaper in goal, another veteran D who comes off the books the next summer/becomes an attractive target for contending teams at next year's trade deadline, and two talented wingers who have yet to reach their full potential and could blossom outside of the pressure cooker of Montreal. The Cats would still have some cash to go after a free agent or two. 10.3mil comes off our books in return for their 9.7mil, 5.7 of which (Vokoun) would be gone in the summer of 2011, freeing up more cash for 2011 RFA raises and/or contract extensions. We would be set up with a goaltending situation not unlike Toronto's, where a veteran (albeit a slightly expensive one for a platoon) comes in to help mentor the younger gun, in this case Price. In Horton, we get a big-bodied power forward who can play centre or wing and shoots right. With Hammer out of the picture, a spot is opened up on the back end for Subban.
Laps and Pouliot can get modest raises from the leftover 1.6mil, leaving us with:
Cammy-Pleks-Horton
Pouliot-Gomez-Gionta(C)
Moen-Moore-Lapierre-Pyatt, and two spots opened up for kids- Pacioretty and White would be my top two, but maybe someone like Kristo could surprise with a strong camp. White would be a fourth liner, MaxPac probably on the third.
Markov(A)-O'Byrne
Spacek-Subban
Gill(A)-Gorges
Price
Vokoun
2010-2011 might be our first divisional title since '07-'08. Subban could be a Calder candidate, Price and Vokoun provide excellent goaltending (if one goes down, the other is capable of taking the reins as a number one), and the forwards (as long as they stay healthy) are a little bigger, a little tougher, and a little stronger at both ends. Let me know what you think.
The Kostitsyns and Halak for a 20 goal scorer and a 33 year old backup goalie who led the league in losses this year. Dream? Don't give up your day job.
By that logic, you probably don't think Price is a good goaltender, nor do you check injury reports. Horton is a 30 goal, 70 point guy when healthy. Vokoun had how many shutouts this year?
Sweet. Fax it over to Gauthier when you get the chance.
USA beat Sweden to win the U18 tournament to go along with the win in the WJHC. How did that team Carbo is coaching do by the way? LOL
LMAO,no kidding. Ah well,at least when these kids are asked "who was the worst coach they ever had?" They will all have the same answer.
We have to face the fact that the US might be in the process of overtaking Canada in hockey: world juniors, U18. And their young team at the Olympics gave us a lot of trouble.
Canada's population: 34 mill.
US population: 304 mill. ..and we still own them in hockey.
We're going to keep falling behind further as long as a province of 7 million people continues to languish and fail to have good junior hockey programs and development. WHL and OHL so badly outclass the Q it is somewhat tragic now.
The best French Canadian skater in the NHL is Martin St. Louis and there's not another in his weight class with Lecavalier's injury-plagued career and performance issues in perspective. How many French Canadians measure up to St. Louis? None that I can name. Quebec must restore their hockey programs to help Canada keep our hold on the dominant hockey power in the world.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
Torey Mitchell and Claude Giroux
Claude Giroux might put up 90 pts in a season in the future but Torrey Mitchell? no chance.
I don't disagree. It is just so annoying that they are progressing so much when most of the US could care less. If Canada can't dominate the World in hockey then what do we have? LOL
I agree that the Under 18 loss is legit and troubling, but I'm not overly concerned about our World Juniors taking them to OT without Doughty, Myers, Stamkos, Duchene, Tavares & Kane. I think the addition of those 6 would have improved our lineup somewhat.
lol somewhat. They would've stomped them.
Prudent bankers.
JM's decision to go with Halak will seal his fate as he will be canned after tonight's game. A bonehead move on his part because he's too stupid to realize that Halak simply doesn't have the balls to carry this team and perform in pressure situations.
What kind of message is he sending to Price? That it was his fault we lost game 4? JM is a joke of a coach and I can't wait until his sorry ass is gone. Idiot.
Enjoying your crow for breakfast this morning ? Leo G.
Price who?
Price is the backup. get used to it.
I find the idea that Halak can't win big games or perform in pressure situations to be rather incredible.
A. This season, it was Halak's late-season win streak that secured us a playoff spot. Those were all big games.
B. Last season, it was Halak's late-season performances that secured us a playoff spot. Those were all big games.
C. Last playoffs, it was Halak who (in game two I think) came in to a third period under huge stress and let in zero goals against the Bruins. That was a big moment.
D. For the last season, every game has been big for Halak personally, since he was battling for the #1 goalie position. And he won that battle fair and square.
E. Not to mention the Olympics....
And speaking of Price:
F. Price tanked at the end of last season.
G. Price totally tanked in the playoffs last season.
H. It has been a very long time since Price won any big game whatsoever.
When was Price's last win?
Both Price and Halak have 1 win in their last 6 GP
The last time Price won was like 2 months ago. How is it a bad decision to play Halak?
I didn't say it was a bad decision. Halak deserves the start.. But people keep talking about Price's last win. I just thought it was relevant to point out that they both only have 1 win in their last 6 starts.
In other words playing Price would have guaranteed a win?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Cammy's audio is actually Ovie's ... a rude surprise lol
Bring the Cup home Boys! I Will Always Believe
We're toast!
Everyone keeps saying JM will eventually be moved upstairs to make room for GB.
Is he even good at that job?
lol I found your post interesting because it could totally be read two ways.
JM - SUCKS at Coaching & GM. Ottawa stank till JM left. Florida is now having to RE-RE-BUILD now that JM is gone (who btw I've heard FLA was going to fire him from his GM job when BG swept in to save JM)
GB - ROCKS as a Head Coach ;) the other way your post could have been read lol
He turned Ottawa around in 1996 when he took over. They stank until he got there.
They had never qualified for the plyaoffs, in fact had never won more than 18 games in a season until he took over.
They made the playoffs each of his 8 years there, and were one of the best teams in the league during that time.
His record in Ottawa was 332-212-92.
His post-season record was less good I admit. As was his record down in FLA.
But to suggest that Ottawa stank until he left is revisionism at best.
Sorry - I guess I should have expressed it more clearly, but in the end you did address it.
I was referring to the playoffs.
And revisionism is giving JM credit for the tanking that was happening prior to his arrival, kinda like giving Dan Bylsma credit for winning last years cup winning team. Except with JM it's worse, he never DID achieve that, or anything close to that.
Because is that NOT why we do not tank here in Montreal ?
Because we MUST make the playoffs & perform ?
I think JM was doomed to fail in Montreal. I would much prefer make way for Boucher who has the best chance of helping our young players who need "guidance"
Boucher IS after-all a Sports Psychologist.
He does not have to be good at the front office job - he was a terrible GM in Florida - because Gainey gave him 4 freakin years any way.
that's called "long term" thinking - the Gainey version.
He was a horrible GM in Florida. If he ever becomes GM of Montreal, I will start a riot outside the Bell center.
I somehow believe you would not be alone, and the numbers would far higher then the "RE-SIGN KOVALEV" Protests from last summer.
Only way Price plays tonight is if Halak is injured or if we'd won the othr night. Can't put him in there with the season on the line after the coach spent the entire season yo-yoing this kid in and out of the lineup. Although the same is true of halak, in essence they made him number one after the Olympics so they have to ride the horse they brought to the rodeo. This team will not live and die with halak in the future, but this year..........
Oh and it would be real nice if we knocked a few Capitals on their azzes as they're busy hanging around the crease drinking a beer and waiting for a pass orr a rebound.
After game one when all of you were praising JM and BG for the great team they had put together I predicted on this very blog that (1) we would still lose the series and (2) that the minute we started to lose the "JM is a moron" meme would reassert itself.
As to why JM was hired, my best guess is that Gainey wanted someone with enough experience to withstand the onslaught from the moronic hockey fans and some local media that the Habs are unfortunately saddled with. After trying rookie coaches for almost a decade they figured it was time to go with experience. Bob knew JM from Team Canada, and I am sure his Ottawa buddies also put in a good word for him. My bet is it was between him and the other Jacques. Hard to say who would have been better.
Is JM a great coach who managed to get an injury riddled talent-challenged team to the playoffs? Is he a poor coach who couldn't manage to get the most out of this team and messed up our young players? Who knows? Possibly the truth is somewhere in between. He can certainly be criticized for some of his decisions, and ultimately for the outcome of the season.
But when you have a bunch of ignorant pub bores on a talkboard saying that JM lost us the series 'cuz he didn't play Ryan Freaking O'Byrne, and he didn't yell at the refs, and he didn't call a time out at some point, and he doesn't know hockey and only got the job because he's French, I have to object.
I presume JM will eventually move upstairs to make way for Boucher and I look forward to that day. Less appealing is the inevitable "Boucher is a moron" jerk-fest that will undoubtedly grace these pages one day.
Martin's mediocre coaching was made impressive by stellar goaltending and the incredible record in overtime. The miserable showing five on five and lack of wins in regulation indicate his true measure as a coach.
You see my friend, in all fairness you need to visit some different pubs. Clearly the one you visit either has 1 television, or only shows Habs games....
I am fortunate enough to have the NHL Center Ice package. I am also fortunate enough that my gf understands that in order for her lover to function properly, he must watch hockey games every night (that's right, top notch gf I have). So I make it a point to watch minimum one game per night...
So many coaches use different ways and styles of managing their teams. Some are sucessful, others aren't. But the biggest difference between JM and all those other coaches is this; intensity. Now I'm not talking about breaking sticks, screaming at the refs, etc.....Intensity for a coach is different. Intensity for a coach is is when he senses that his team desperately needs a shakeup during a game, and he does that for them instead of hoping it happens on the ice. Intensity is knowing your players, how they react, and doing your best to accomodate their skills. A few examples:
-Intensity is what Bruce Boudreau had when he switched Theo for Varly and this series turned around.
-It's what Peter Laviolette had when he called a timeout in game 4 of their series with NJ. The Flyers were winning the game 3-1, and the series 2-1 at the time. With 12, yes 12 minutes left in the game he calls a timeout to set up a PP properly. WHY? They had the lead! Well, they set it up, scored to make it 4-1, and broke any hope of NJ coming back in that game. So, they took a 3-1 series lead and finished it off last night. That's intensity.
Coaching decisions like those are what define coaches when they are gone. Jacques Demers is remembered for the stick measurement, and other coaches for other reasons. JM had his chances to be remembered with a defining moment when he had great teams in Ottawa, but he stood in neutral behind that bench like he has been doing in this series vs Washington. Coaches will often try and pull crazy things. Often they don't work, but when they do they are remembered. I am not asking for it to be remembered, I'm just asking for him to try and be remembered.....
"These head movies make my eyes rain" -Simple Jack
sorry - I think any coach would have switched Theo for Varlamov - theo was terrible!
Yeah if only we'd had one of those "intense" coaches like John Tortorella or, Pat Quinn, or Ron Wilson.
Way to go out on a limb and predict the Habs would lose this series. What's the future like?
If one thing is for sure it's JM is a much better coach than Guy "let's go bowling" Carbonneau.
This is a free Country ,that is why we are all entitled to our own oppinions.With all do respect,I disagree with you on Carboneau. When the Caps (esp in game 1 and 2) were constantly and penalty less for ramming Halak in his crease,Martin remained emotionless.Carbo would of had a fit.(you have to admit ,there were 3 or 4 guys in the crease sometimes ,sfter Halak had stopped it,and the damn refs wouldnt whistle!)
Carbo got fired,I presume for one reason.he did not play Gaineys" Favorite enough(Price)
Halak was on a roll,and was probably told to put Proce back in the nets.(In Gainey"s words "the future face of the Canadians")Personally after 3 yrs I dont have anything against the guy,but if it comes to a choice this summer,I hope they are smart enough to keep Halak.(numbers dont lie)
But back to Carboneau.How many games did Gainey win after he said "We needed a change on Ice level"????
we got stumped in 4 by the bruins.Among others.
Carbo had heart and passion.Im not saying Martin does not,but he sure isnt showing it.I also miss Koivu as captain.When there was a problem with the refs ,he was there.
As it is ,there is no leader during games behind the bench or during the games.
Again ,I dont understand your dislike for Carbonneau,but I respect your oppinion.
when the Habs were running well at the all star break last year -
Gainey was asked what his greatest move was since he became GM??
Gainey replied: "hiring Guy Carbonneau has been my greates move as GM of the Habs".
2.5 months later - Gainey fired his old friend, and took over behind the bench.
that's 'long term" thinking a la Bob Gainey.
The rumour was always that Carbo got caught in a compromising position ...
Not that one would need such a justification to fire him, he had clearly lost control of the ship.
Thanks Friedrich - appreciate your input.
Anyone think that if we lose tonight this will be Halak`s last game in a Hab jersey
To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high.
From what I heard, Bob Gainey was the one in upper management pushing Price on us. Supposedly PG isn't all hot for Pricey like Bob was. So it is quite possible the PG decides to get rid of Price and keep Halak. He will probably put together a little package, like S Kos, Price, Patches, and who knows what else, to try and coax a star player or a number one pick from another team.
I really, really hope he is not thinking this way, because his mental game will be messed up, and the game will be decided in the first 10 minutes.
Hey guys, we really have to stop with all this goaltending stuff. Price or Halak has not been the problem this year. I dont know that we lost many games due to poor goaltending. However I am sure we won a few because of good goaltending. Our young goalies have time to mature while we are working on the other positions. Noweone and I mean noweone, not even Scotty Bowman can guarantee either one of the two will ever be Top # 1 goalies. Only time will tell. We have to let work there way through it. I agree management has dropped the ball on there development a bit. Hope fully not too badly. Leo G.
Why is everyone being so harsh in regards to Markov? Are you guys seriously bored, or have you had enoug of bashing the rest of the team and it's Markov's turn?...
The guy sliced his ankle in half and came back 6 weeks ahead of schedule. Do any of you guys know what cutting rehab 6 weeks earlier is with an injury like that? Add that to the fact that he's been literally babysitting MAB during the playoffs, and did anyone forget which team we are playing against? Oh yeah, only the most dynamic offensive team in the league. And if you watch the games, he's not invisible, he's actually doing pretty good.
So for a guy who's doing all that and playing on one leg, be happy with it. Just remember if he didn't come back early, we don't get that 1 point extra that got us into the playoffs and allowed us to even have this conversation regarding the postseason...We finish way below where we were...
"These head movies make my eyes rain" -Simple Jack
First game back from injury against florida i think he had 2 goals and won us the game if not for him cutting rehab we would be out of the playoffs
Markov with Georges to me have been playing to their best capabilities this post season along with our tiny fowards
3rd and 4th line need to chip in a goal tonight or we have lost, cuz frankly no contribution from relates to them playing less phsical, cuz if I was a 4th line player and scored an important goal for my team in the post season, I think that would fire my bench and line till the very last minute of 60 min hockey
In a way, I kind of underststand why people are somewhat harsh on Markov. They probably expect him to be getting a goal and three assists per game. He has been rather quiet offensively. But for that, I blame JM. Just like you said, when you pair up our best defenceman with a weak D like MAB, a player like Markov loses his maximum effectiveness because he has to babysit and cover-up for MAB.
Two years ago, Markov, with his awesome mobility and hockey sense, was paired up with Komisarek, a mean hitting machine. It was probably one of the best D pairings in the league at the time. Why not try to recreate that with a bigger, better skating version of Komi in Ryan O'Byrne? I think Rhino would've been pumped if he was playing Game 1, trying to hit everything on sight, setting up the pace for the series.
He's not being used with OB because that would just make too much sense...
And, JM's "system" has 3 major rules...
-Don't make coaching adjustments during a game
-Decide something and stick with it for long periods of time, even if it is costing you games.
-Roll the bench at all times, even if you are losing just continue to do so. If God want's you to win the game, he will make it happen. No need to scream, play your best players, or coach for that matter...
"These head movies make my eyes rain" -Simple Jack
Because some people can never be happy with the team, even the guy who's been team MVP since the lockout.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
I believe that Boucher will help the Habs and that he will be here next year.
so why, if Gainey is such a great long term thinker, would JM have been hired and given a 4 year contract?
forget about all of the other Gainey moves for a moment - almost veryone on this site believes that JM has been a terrible failure - especially with the young players and their development
JM is a fraken dinosaur - he is so old school - he has no clue how to get the most out of a young players' development.
we all agree.
so here;'s my question: why would Gainey even sit down with this dinosaur????
why would gainey hire JM? why even bring him into this "long term" plan???
it just doesn't add up, does it.?
either Gainey is a long term genious as some are suggesting, and JM belongs in the organisation for the next 4 years
or Gainey screwed up the JM file and left us holding a bad 4 year, long term contract.??
Why not just fire JM? His contract doesn't count against the cap anyways.
Gainey had his hands tied, He had a coach in mind but Boivin said no the coach must be french so JM was plan B as in bad.
How do you know that? I have never heard that before and I keep up with everything said and written on a daily basis in English and French in this city - not everything, but almost everything. :-)
He knows that because he uses his logic, and I've thaught the same thing all along...
Seriously, do you think JM was plan A-1 from day 1? Comon you have to be kidding. Of all the coaches in the world, you are telling me JM was the best one available overall?...Stop with the jokes. JM was clearly the best bilingual speaking coach available according to them. And they even screwed up with that decision, because Bob Hartley is 100 notches above JM. Not saying he's the best in the world, but he's alot better than JM...
2nd thing, if the language issue was irrelevant, no way JM is behind that bench tonight. Pete Laviolette, Dave Tippets, etc......those are serious NHL coaches.
"These head movies make my eyes rain" -Simple Jack
you see - I thought Bob Gainey was respected in the Habs organisation and he would have been given the authoority to pick his own coach.
now you guys are saying...nope - Gainey had no choice to even pick his own coach.
Gainey was actually working as Boivin's bitch, and Boivin forced Gainey to take JM even though Gainey really wanted to pick someone else.
doesn't sound like Gainey was in charge at all - according to your logic.
correct me if I am misunderstanding your logic.
It has been said a few times last fall and more of the story would come out after this season.
You all agreed about Carbo, Julien, Therrien, Vigneault etc ...
You have Gainey on the one hand and a bunch of ignorant blowhards on a talkboard on the other.
Who is more likely to have a clue?
I don't quite understand your post, but I will comment any way.
Carbo - terrible Gainey mistake - he was hired at the wrong time and then fired for no apparent reason - in my books, Gainey blew that file twice
Junlien - had a great track record in Hamilton - Hello you AHL lovers out there - he deserved to stay but was fired so gainey could bring in his favorite son Carbo
Gainey blew the Julien file as well.
I always liked Vigneault - he is total class act - and a great hockey guy in my opinion
now Gainey has blwn the JM file - he is not a coach for 2010 - JM's style of "my way or highway" was good when you and I were kids.
today the kids need their hands held more - they need more approval - more pats on the back - otherwise they call their agent and demand a trade - right Sergei??
Julien was fired because the team was in the doldrums.
Claude Julien is so defensive-minded that he was fired from New Jersey just before the playoffs, the most defensive-mind team in the NHL in the past 15 years or so,
I'd take Vignenault back I think, none of the rest though. I still think Boucher is the real answer for Montreal, the first coach in a while to take player development seriously and he's shown that in Hamilton.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
Agreed on Boucher 100 per cent.
why was JM hired?
why even interview a dinosaur like that if gainey is such a great long term thinker???
Simple....BG had to find a coach who would meet with RDS types approval and JM filled that bill. Sad but true.