He's started to warble

Nasty!!!

This is a great read - thanks for it. Dare I say it, SK74 has a little Ovechkin in him!

Not only does the man dress his dog,he talks to his dog and really worrying!!!...the dog is now talking back.

I'm sorry, anyone who honestly believes that "conversation" actually occured, well...I don't even know what to say. It's embarrassingly fabricated.

"He's a Ranger or a Canadien. about 50/50. And Gomez will be moved." I just can't see the Rangers, who already have cap issues, moving Gomez to make room for Sundin, who'll likely make even more than Gomez does. Plus they'll have to pay whoever they get for Gomez, unless they're nutty enough to deal him for picks and prospects. And as for this: "Sources this morning have informed me that Schneider may be a Canadien as early as "this evening or tomorrow morning." There is much speculation surrounding this move as it may be a trigger move that comes from the Canadiens being officially "out of the Sundin Sweepstakes." I can't possibly believe that. Why would we deal for an ancient defenseman? I really don't think he's an upgrade over Bouillon or O'Byrne -- not anymore -- and he likely makes a lot more cash than they do... 1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat 2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."

Robert L., the story has been on the web for several years, and I'm a bit surprised you hadn't seen it before given your voracious consumption of all things Canadien. I vividly remember buying this issue of Sport Illustrated--even down to the drugstore where I got it--and I still have the cover. It was quite something; the portrait was striking, and it was very rare for Sports Illustrated to put any hockey player on its cover, much less one who played for the Canadiens. So on one level I was thrilled. But the fact that Maurice made the magazine cover at this particular time plainly indicated that Sports Illustrated was marking the end of his career, by then a prospect I had dreaded every summer for several years. We who loved Maurice knew he was fading, of course, that he was finding the game increasingly difficult, that the end was near, but this kind of confirmation was deeply distressing. And I was even more depressed after reading the story, not because it told of anything new, but because there in black and white, indeed, in Maurice's own words, was confirmation of what we knew to be true and feared but did not want to accept. A few months later, in September, 1960, the Rocket announced his retirement. It was one of the saddest days of my life; I was in despair and went into mourning of sorts. Maurice had scored four goals against Jacques Plante in a practice game that day, but he said in his retirement announcement that he had decided to leave the game because he wanted to make way for the younger players. That was the version that appeared in the media at the time, including the Hockey News, and, a year or so later, in Andy O'Brien's biography. I don't know when it first became publicly known, but I did not discover the truth until decades later when I read a Red Fisher piece on Maurice that was part of his series on the 10 greatest Canadiens he saw play. General Manager Frank Selke had called Maurice into his office, noted how many games he had missed through injury in recent seasons and "suggested" he retire. Maurice, ever the team player, went along, although he was furious and felt he still had a year or two left in him. Frank Selke, who in the Sports Illustrated article indicated that he would not oppose Maurice playing for another season if he so chose, was a great general manager, but I can't forgive him that singularly cruel ambush of a magnificent player who gave his all to the club for 18 seasons. After giving the club he loved everything he had for so long, Maurice deserved to leave the game on his own terms, or at the very least on terms discussed and mutually agreed upon in advance. Yet the player who symbolized dedication and loyalty to the club more than any other in its history was, at the end, discarded in as shabby an act of disloyalty as the game has seen. __________________ Edited to correct grammatical error in first sentence of third paragraph--deleted "editors" after "Sports Illustrated."

As always Robert ,very good.The other night Ian had asked about another good coach that competed against Toe Blake.While confirming my info came upon a story that in 1955 ,Doug Harvey had scored against himself giving Detroit the Cup.What is the story there?

That was amazing...thanks for sharing.

I'm hoping for the old one.

If L.A. can pick up a goalie, it won't repeat its basement performance from last year. They may not make the playoffs, but then nobody thought Washington would last year either. And I think Chicago will surprise a lot of people. My guess, for what it's worth: 1 - Detroit 2 - Dallas 3 - Anaheim 4 - San Jose 5 - Calgary 6 - Chicago 7 - Minnesota 8 - Edmonton 1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat 2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."

I don't think Minnesota will be near as good this year. I also think Vancouver, with the Luongo factor, and Chicago could sneak in. I wouldn't count out Colorado either.

I just read that article too ... I really like that Paul Kelly fella. He's gonna be real good for the NHLPA.

You gotta like this... "The only professional sporting franchise that truly sort of compares to the Maple Leafs in recent history is the Chicago Cubs. While the Leafs have only a 41-year drought for the Stanley Cup compared to an almost 90-year drought for the Cubs there are some interesting similarities."

Sundin is a career + player, Koivu is a career - player on better teams than Sundin Id say... Sundin is a better rounded player and vastly superior to Koivu. People should ask why this fascination with Koivu instead.

Had he ever had better linemates better than Tucker, Antropov or an over-the-hill Gilmour, he'd have shone like the star he is. He's a bit like Koivu in that regard -- can you imagine what he could do on a line with a real star? 1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat 2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."

1. How many times did Tanguay have over 85 points? 2. How many times did Koivu and Kovalev have over 85 points? 3. Who did Sundin play with over the years??? Case closed... ------------------------------------------------------------------- Koivu for Prime Minister...

He has also never had less than 70 points on a team that hasnt done ANYTHING. The kid is a rock star and EVERYONE knows it. We need a big guy, a TEAM leader. SOMEONE WHO HASNT WON ANY INDIVIDUAL awards, except the mark messier leadership award. NO ONE think he isnt incredible. OK maybe just you...

Think of the linemates and supporting cast he's had over the years though and the numbers look a hell of a lot more impressive. All the players mentioned above have played on MUCH better teams!! Naslund and Tanguay shouldn't be involved in the comparison though imo.

I believe he's had about 75 pts. a season for the last 11 seasons or so. That's pretty good if you as me. And he's played for the Laffs for all those seasons, that's really good on a team like that because you know he's not getting set up a whole lot.

I don't listen to what the so called "experts" think so you really think the players are going to let that effect them play???? I also think that the team came into last season with high hopes. The season before was not as bad as what we finished, with the flu running through the team, a cancer like Samsonov, and Huet getting hurt and not being able to stay hurt for one last game, all of those were factors in missing the playoffs, not excuses but things that happened that could be changed in the next season. I don't think they expected to do what they did, but to say they had not many expectations for last year is just crazy. I think this team is past folding under pressure situations and matured a lot last year. You can be skeptical if you like, but I know I'm getting more and more excited to see the Bleu, Blanc, Rouge light it up this year!! GO HABS GO!!!

No. 1 priority for Mats is waiting to see what Cliff Fletcher and the Leafs have in store for him this season for one last farewell party season for him. I don't see him going anywhere else but Toronto or just plain retire and have the big gala party at the end of the season put on by the Leafs. "We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"

Like Gainey said. he is 37 and hasn't really started training yet... As of now, I would believe his value has dipped just a little bit and a team would be taking a chance to play with him.. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Koivu for Prime Minister...

Nah, Darren Dreger.

I don't see Bob making any trades until he assess how well we are doing after the halfway point of the season. Teams will then want to dump or unload players and Bob will then be in the driver's seat. I see us makking a trade before Christmas for that offensively talented centreman we need but not before the regular season starts. By the way, I've said this from the start, we are better without Mats and I see us winning the Cup next season! "We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"

Finally some optimism on here! Bottom line: we're a better team than we were last season, and we were a damn good team last season. 1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat 2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."

We would have to give up way too much in a trade for Marleau. I don't think he's a plan at all for us, and I hope he's not. We have a few guys that could potentially put up numbers as good as him and they're already familiar with the system and obviously have good chemistry with the team, I don't think we need to give up a few guys who are very solid players who we've developed for a guy who seems to be known as the playoff bust for the last 3 years.

Wouldn't help me with picking out an Abba DVD to leer at but can now sing their songs...uhmmm!!

DD When I am going to get the double Jack Daniels we bet on? Never bet against me. I always win buddy! "We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"

I really wasn't expecting that

All the experts agree that Montreal is the best fit? You mean all the experts at habsinsideout? LOL In truth, in spite of all the speculation, we don't really know what will motivate Sundin to sign with a particular team. Money, potential linemates, Canadian vs American based, best shot at the Cup, travel schedule in the division and conference, appeal of the city, loyalty to the leafs, fear of the wrath of leaf fans, preferred destination of his bride, are all possibilities. We have speculated about them all, but we haven't got a clue, and any hints that Sundin has given along the way are really subject the change. Any comments by Sundin's agent could also be part of a strategy. In fact, we know SFA about the situation.

In order for New York to get him, they'll have to unload players as they'll be way over the cap.

I agree. The Ranger faithful will be calling for Sather's head by the end of the year.