"He didn't say No."

posted by Mike Boone at 5h25 EST on Sep 8


Bob Gainey was in Newfoundland yesterday, hanging with Great Big Sea, meeting fans and talking about his meeeting with Mats Sundin.

Proud Newfoundlander and Habs Inside/Out regular poster was there. J.T. has a full report on her blog, http://www.habsloyalist.blogspot.com/

Gainey said Sundin is physically ready. But the big Swedenot sure he still has the passion to play hockey at a high level.

"He's interested," Gainey said. "I told him to make a decision. I said, if you feel like you want to retire, then retire. But if you're not sure, you should play and the emotion will come." 

Later in the session, a fan asked "But do you think he'll come to Montreal?"
The half-smile pushing the outer limits of a real grin this time, Gainey replied, "He didn't say no."

•  •  •

François Gagnon whining because he got scooped by J.T.

•  •  • 

How quickly it can all turn to crap in pro sports:

Tom Brady 



On an Otta radio station last week, John Tortorella ripped the new Lightning owners the Tampa Tribune reports:

"You got a couple of cowboys in there as owners," Tortorella said. "How you treat your people and run your business is very important in this league. I look at the club and how some things have been done and how they treated Danny Boyle and really lying to the kid, and some of the other things that have gone on there, it's a total different team." 


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DD's picture
Poor ol' Bryan McCabe. What will he do now that the leafs don't love him anymore? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwJDeKBZuVk

Haha...love it!!

Bill H's picture
A minor addition to nightmare's hockey links. http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/vancouver-canucks/story.html?id=a3db... .....one more about Sundin, this time from a Vancouver perspective. Apologies to those who are long tired of this overblown story. Does anyone have Sundin's email. I'm thinking if we send him copies of JT's and Robert L's excellent articles, it might focus his thoughts on the issue at hand...retirement or one last glorious kick at the can with the Habs in their centennial year Cup run.

Les Canadiens will be Dusting Off a Few Throwback Jerseys .. ICETHETICS ..... http://icethetics.blogspot.com/2008/09/info-on-habs-retro-jerseys.html .................................................... RDS's Joel Bouchard Joins The Montreal Juniors based in Verdun as an Assistant Coach in the Q ..... http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/lang_en/index.php?page=232&id_nouvelle=1841 ................................................Tanguay - Role Playing Games .. by Matt .. The Battle of Alberta ..... http://battleofalberta.blogspot.com/

Chuck's picture
White pants! They HAVE to wear the white pants like they did back then! (along with the appropriate socks, of course) Damn, that would look cool!!! __________________________________

New Line Cinema is Making a Film About Sean Avery .. by Borys Kit .. THR.com ..... http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i1af1ebd...

Sundin Saga : Burke a Better Bet to Join the laffs Than Sundin .. by Damien Cox .. toronto star ..... http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Hockey/article/495652 ................................................. Mats Sundin to the Lightning (they are cowboys , they already have 19 forwards signed) .. by Eric Eriendsson .. TBO.com ..... http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/related/C189/

Chorske's picture
I think Toronto-based columnists should be banned from writing about the Habs. There, on the front page of msn.ca, is a headline "Habs look disappointing already" Huh? The article, by Toronto Hockey News columnist Jeff Mackie, takes a dim view of the Habs' offseason moves. I'll let you judge for yourselves. For my part, he recommends moves only a true Toronto person could love: sign a couple of veteran free agents! That'll solve everything! Oh and he also recommends getting a goalie. Mackie, dude, anytime you want to, you know, catch up on your info before writing an article to be posted on the front page of msn, that would be nice. Link to the article: http://sports.sympatico.msn.ca/A+Disappointing+offseason+for+Bob+Gainey+...

DD's picture
'With this in mind, I thought I'd offer some free advice to Mr. Mackie, even though I'm well aware that my advice is the last thing he needs.' "Mr. Mackie, please step away from the glue bag." It's funny how these toronto media types seem to be enthralled with our Habitant. Maybe they should do a little homework closer to home. I guess Mr. Gainey should have picked up a career AHLer, who was a scratch for more games than he played during Colorado's play off run last year, for 14 million, eh Mackie? Or how about trading away your future, even though your team claims to be in a building mode? Furthermore, I would take Carey Price and Halak over Tossedsalad and Father Time any day of the week, especially considering Tossedsalad will make 4 million this year and will have a lame duck team in front of him. He must be thanking his lucky stars he still has another year on his contract because his GAA and Save% will be going through the roof this year. I wouldn't want to be his agent in 2010/11. Now that's funny.

Haha this is too funny :) "Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"

Bill H's picture
I hear Jeff Mackie is at the top of the TML depth chart for the position of GM. The hiring committee is preparing their questions to determine the candidate's strategy for maintaining the time honoured tradition of missing the playoffs by 1 or 2 points while missing out on all those choice draft picks that go to the bottom dwellers. LOL Nice article Chorske.

Chorske - IMO this definitely was written by someone with a negative attitude towards the Habs and is very envious. The reporter failed to mention how Gainey revamped our depth chart and added some size, grit and experience which may come in handy on occasion and the goalie situation is his opinion and i'm not worried at all. The Habs did as good or better than any other team in their division this summer and i consider their work above average without Sundin but it's not over yet but i wouldn't rave about it , time will tell. This jealous journalist can now follow all his stars on the laffs while scratching his head at our success this year.

G-Man's picture
Jeff Mackie knows not of what he writes. Don't read the article unless you like tripe with a side order of fat. Gilbert 2008/09 is the season of the Habs

Robert L's picture
As a writer, I almost feel sadness for someone taking so much of their time to be so wrong!

Mr. Gainey: Class and brains. It's comforting to know that when Mr. Beliveau finally rests you'll still be around to represent what makes this franchise special. GO HABS.

GHG33's picture
Lets not forget this Sundin quote: "I think Toronto’s always the team in my heart." However Bob is giving it all he's got! Go Bob! :) Drive For 25 Is Alive!

Bugs's picture
He didn't say no. And he said it with a "half-smile"! What could CONCEIVEBLY make Bob smile? "Halfly" or otherwise? I got a good feeling about this, Chewie... Don't worry about the "emotion", Mats. Don't you worry at all. Like us, in Bob you must trust. Dang, is he a Master, or what? "The emotion will come". I got goosebumps already. Peace Out

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
"you should play and the emotion will come." - BOB GAINEY That is the greatest pitch made to Sundin to this day...it carries far more weight than Vancouvers 20million. BRILLIANT Mr Gainey, pure BRILLIANCE. Sundin is worried about not having the passion, can you blame him, having to endure all those years where the "suits" come out of their dens 7minutes into each period with their heads glued to their blackberrys...PATHETIC. Yes Sundin, come and play in a REAL Hockey town, where 21000+ fans can lift you to levels of emotion that you've never seen or felt in your career...just ask another Veteran named Kovalev or Koivu...you'd think their careers would have sputtered out, instead Kovy posted his 2nd best #'s..ever. Because of the Fans Passion.

G-Man's picture
Congratulations, JT, on an excellent recounting on the meeting in the Rooms with Bob Gainey. It'll be a pleasure to read more. Gilbert 2008/09 is the season of the Habs

Cable Guy's picture
I don't know about anyone else but I have this funny feeling inside that Sundin will be with us this year. No way he goes back to the Leafs so that leaves us or retirement and he is the type of guy that would welcome the opportunity to be a supporting cast for us and not the lead guy like in T.O. Not too mention all the 100th year celebration festivities. I have a really good feeling about this and like Gainey said, "He didn't say no".

DD's picture
I know I've said this before, but this only goes to show all of us how truly lucky we are to have people like J.T., Robert, Bryan and all the other Hab fan's 'Hab fans' who frequent this site. It doesn't really matter to me what Gagnon thinks, but maybe him and the rest of the French media should use this as an example of what good reporting is all about, instead of their usual attempts to stir up Anglo vrs Franco sentiments. I wonder how you say "sour grapes" in French.

Robert L's picture
Hey, I know it's late in the next morning, man, but thanks so much for that. I feel tremendously priveledged, and every day at that, to have found a forum where folks will read what I have to say and tell me it is appreciated. Without all of you, I am writing for an audience of one! I'm certain JT and Bryan's sentiments are similar. It's you guys that are the best - don't forget it!

ZepFan2's picture
"I wonder how you say "sour grapes" in French." Vin. ;)

twocents's picture
'Raisins sûr'??? DD, the whole bit about respecting 'affected' media is a such a bowlfull. I am in full agreement with you on how fortunate we are to have the input of so many great, and as Lee states, eloquent Habs fans. "Hab's fan's 'Habs fans'" indeed! Nicely put.

Lee Hayes's picture
Let me go a step further, mein Fuehrer. The contribution of those named above, catapults this site into the outright lead, as far as fan generated blogosheres are concerned! I never miss a day of HIO, because of the incredibly erudite commentary from almost all of those involved. This is one of the reasons why I tend not to post much anymore, by the time I've read all the comments on a particular thread, everything pertinent to the topic has already been expressed by people far more eloquent than myself. But don't feel sorry for me, I sure enjoy the banter that some threads seem to generate. Thanks to all the folks who make this one of the favorite parts of my day!! Go Habs Go

DD's picture
I wondered where you disappeared to? I thought maybe the Secretary of the Worker’s Party in Lefty Land decided it was time for your re-orientation and sent you for intensive training with Kim Jong-il.

Lee Hayes's picture
Not so, indeed I've been plotting my way outta here for the past 5 months! It's back to Ottawa for me...I just can't live 3000 miles away from my beloved Habs anymore. Now don't tell anyone with left leaning tendencies, as I'm still keepin' my head down and paying my Green Party dues! Go Habs Go

DD's picture
It'll be our secret. I'd hate to see your poor wife and dogs sent to the Gulag in Tahsis, simply because your too thick to get the true meaning of Nikolai Ulianov's message. Are you really coming home?

Lee Hayes's picture
Yessir! I need to find a job and accomodation, and then nothing can stop me...I'm making the official announcement to my family when I'm back there in @ 4 weeks! Lots of networking to be done. I'm also putting a Party together, at the Dominion Tavern for all my long lost friends fron the Nations Capital. Obviously I'll be in touch! P.S. I'll be returning alone...your insight into all work and no time for family(the wife), was right on the money. Go Habs Go

Chuck's picture
Keep using fancy words like "erudite", and the heads of any laff trolls are sure to explode! __________________________________

Lee Hayes's picture
At the very least it keeps them tied up on Dictonary.com! Go Habs Go

Moey's picture
Never mind the laff trolls, my head popped, "erudite"?? think I'll just get back to munching on my oats.

Lee Hayes's picture
Love ya Moey! Still drivin' all the old boys in the warehouse nuts with the high heels? Go Habs Go

Moey's picture
Absolutely, and at every opportunity. They all wait for the familiar click click click...the more they rag on me the better. I don't know who enjoys it more actually :-)

DD's picture
Chuck they're probably too busy trying to decide if Grabovski will make a guest appearance on Tlusty's new porno, "Bending Over The Fig Leaf".

Moey's picture
You know what DD? They're not quite the losers we make them out to be, I never kept track of cups or stats (call me a fanatic-in-training) but they are number two overall. And for the Sundin saga, I really do have empathy for the guy. J.T.'s reporting peeled back more layers of the Sundin onion, if we as fans get so emotionally attached to our team, imagine the guys themselves that are down in the trenches, fighting the good fight every time they get on the ice. We've seen some of them cry like babies when they get traded. It has to be a very tough decision for him, in the end he needs to do what he feels is right FOR HIM, not for us or anyone else. As a Habs fan, ragging on him or calling him a loser is classless.

DD's picture
Well, I don't know where you came up with this one. Right over your head. I haven't even mentioned the name Sundin today, but if you had read any of my past posts, you would know that I am a big fan of Mr. Gainey's attempts at signing Matsy. If you ask me, he is the last piece of the puzzle. Although I have also made it abundantly clear, that I believe if he decides to go back to the leafs, then he is a loser and has no inclination to end his career as a winner or on a high note and therefore, we really don't really need him anyway. BTW They are a tribe of sycophantic losers. After over 40 years of incompetence, and then having the nerve to bellow that they are 'Canada's Team', they deserve nothing less. If you understood the game, you would know that the signing of Jeff finger for 14 million is sufficient proof that they still don't have a clue on how to run a hockey team and will continue to wallow in the basement for years to come. Don't even get me going on the subject of being classless.

Jay in PA's picture
Well, I'll give Moey that there's a difference between the ownership/management, the fans, and the players. If you give your sweat and blood (and, in hockey, your teeth) for a team as a player, I don't care what kind of two-bit franchise it was, you have my respect for that. If you can bring that intensity to my team, you're welcome here any day. C'mon over Mats, old boy. On the other hand, blind, bad management and greedy, cynical ownership are nothing to celebrate. Ken Dryden planted the tombstone in the leafs as a "great" franchise in his book nearly thirty years ago, and since the Ballard years the ownership and management of the team have done nothing but suck the teat drier still. Unfortunately, their fans have never come to terms with the team's bankruptcy of greatness, and seem to act out of disbelief that such a thing is even possible. The only other reasonable explanation for their behavior is that they are even more clueless about hockey than Nashville's fans, but they feel they need to be more vocal due to geography.

Chuck's picture
You must admit, they certainly don't make it easy on themselves. __________________________________

Moey's picture
No they don't Chuck, if they have back to back wins they're convinced they're contendors. But if Mats did resign with them, loser isn't the first word that comes to mind if a captain goes down with his ship.

Chuck's picture
There's a vision I didn't need! Poor Grabovski... initiated by the laffs by being the team "fluffer". __________________________________

Jay in PA's picture
I think you have the distinction of being the first person to introduce the concept of a fluffer on HIO.

Chuck's picture
Just trying to broaden everyone's horizons, Jay. :) __________________________________

Jay in PA's picture
Next up ladies and gentlemen, Chuck explains the relationship between the Dirty Sanchez and leafs goaltending...

Chuck's picture
A closer relationship with their goaltending would be the Cleveland Steamer. __________________________________

Lee Hayes's picture
Once again, I bow to your mastery of puttin' it to those long sufferin' laff fans! Go Habs Go

Chuck's picture
DD, I second your emotion. __________________________________

Kaptain K's picture
Message for Sundin: Honor or Glory? you pick Stay with the leafs and/or retire and be honorable...but get nothing. OR Have a GOOD shot at the cup and a definite improvement on your CV with a shot at GLORY. You pick --- We ride together We die together Habs Fans for Life!

Connecticut Man1's picture
He can have both. I don't think there is an honest leaf fan out there (I was thinking of ending the sentence there... heh) that would hold it against Mats for moving on after what they saw the leafs manglement do to other players.

Ian Cobb's picture
As usual J.T. wonderful report. Thanks

Ian G Cobb's picture
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Andrei_And_Sergei_Kostitsyn's picture
I honestly believe we have a chance with Sundin.He came to Montreal,spoke to Gainey. I have infinite faith in Gainey and Sundin Kostitsyns for ever!!

Chorske's picture
I thought Gainey travelled to Toronto?

The Professor's picture
He did... but the point is they finally sat down and had a meeting, which is a lot farther than you can get on the phone from Sweden-Montreal. It's my sense that if they met for 2 hours, it must've been more than a "friendly chat" and musings on the weather. Furthermore, I think that if anybody can provide some advice to Sundin, it's Gainey, who surely knows what it's like to be the face and longtime captain of a franchise. It'll be interesting to see what happens next...

mrhabby's picture
gainey was in to.

ths's picture
Good start with Gainey but you really need lafleur and Carbo to take him around the strip joints to really show him what he's missing. You could also get Chelly and Corson to give him a presentation but I don't think he's that type of guy.

Final Results : Fan Poll by James Mirtle As for the Eastern playoff polls, here are the results after nearly 20,000 votes (percentages reflect the number of voters who picked a team to make the postseason this year): Eastern Conference Pittsburgh - 99.3% Montreal - 97.7% Philadelphia - 93.9% Washington - 92.6% NY Rangers - 87.2% New Jersey - 79.5% Ottawa - 64.4% Boston - 60.8% Carolina - 42.3% Buffalo - 36.7% Tampa Bay - 33.5% Florida - 5.6% Toronto - 3.1% Atlanta - 2.2% NY Islanders - 1.6%

Xtrahabsfan's picture
I have given up on the Sundin saga,and in no way should the Habs sign a old veteran to make up for the lack of Sundun's lack of taste for a championship.I truly believe after looking at the last pics featured, Matt's intentions are too retire and become a thespian and try to be the next YULE BRENNER,LOL If you were to put an earing on Sundin you would have live Mr. Clean,oh yeah

Mister Hab's picture
J.T !!! I love it. You have made my day. I can't wait till ya get the time to finish writing all the other topics that sinior Gainey touched upon. Hopefully it all gets done tonight. I need to get as much info as I can in order to pass the time until the season starts. Guys, whether or not Sundin does sign here, we can all admit that the summer did pass by much faster, since we were kept busy almost everyday with this ongoing Sundin Saga. Cheers to you Sundin for bringing the month of September upon us much quicker :) And thumbs up to you too J.T, for making us want the next few weeks to pass by even quicker :) 21,273 FOR LIFE!

What a load of crap!!Probably the same person who started the rumour that Sundin was going to the Rangers, a couple of months back, for 2 or 4 million .Let's be original please. Sundin has been nothing but slow and indecisive throughout all of this,why change now?Nice article Robert and am looking forward to the rest of JT's reporting.You have got to love the passion!!

Robert L's picture
Is Sundin Torn Between Two Quagmires? http://wwwrealitycheckeyesontheprize.blogspot.com/2008/09/is-sundin-torn... Signs are, that Mats Sundin's summer of torment is coming to an end. Torment that is, for himself, fans of teams in the hunt for his services, a half dozen general managers, fans of the Maple Leafs, and every handcuffed UFA left unsigned pending the big Swede's decision domino to play or not.

Bill H's picture
Very nicely said Robert.

Hoegarden's picture
good one Robert, if he was a Hab fan growing up, the decision should be easier to make. You have to move on, what's behind is behind. The brass in TO tried to trade him for "whatever they could get". That's the business side of it all and Mats does not get it in my humble fan opinion.

I think he does get it and really doesn't want to play for this present Leaf organization however; -had mentally figured on retiring as a Leaf -feels extremely loyal to his Leaf fans and doesn't want to lose their respect but must know they will turn on him -feels like he physically can still play... but not for Toronto -hoping that the Leaf organization closes the door so he is innocent when he goes elsewhere -the Leaf organization doesn't want him back but don't want to look bad to their fans and also don't want him going to another team for free This is his mental dilemma that Bob referred to.

mrhabby's picture
excellent Rob. gilmour did it and he is still beloved by LAFFS fans.

Les-Habitants's picture
NHL.com talks about face off specialists and lists who they view as the top 5 guys in the East. They have our captain listed as no.3 http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=381118&page=NewsPage&service=page

Mike Boone's picture
Interesting that they're all old(ish) farts.

24 Cups's picture
Mike - If the Habs don't sign Sundin, they might want to consider picking up Sillinger, assuming he is healthy and ready to play. Unfortunately, I haven't read anything concerning his present medical status. Lots of experience, very versatile, good team player, shoots right. The Original 24 Cups

Robert L's picture
http://habsinsideout.com/main/8842 Go to the Gainey quote, and check out what he says about the 00:52 second mark.

mrhabby's picture
i hope this story is full of shit.

Robert L's picture
The shit that it is full of, is full of holes filled with shit!

Chuck's picture
Yep. Careful where you step today! __________________________________

Robert L's picture
Just wipe it off with leafs!

mrhabby's picture
shit and darcy tucker go together.

Robert L's picture
Shit doesn't stick to shit, though. That's why the bear borrows the rabbit!

mrhabby's picture
lololol

joeybarrie's picture
Sundin waited ALL SUMMER to announce he will be playing with the Redwings? ONE WHAT THE 3rd LINE???? for 2 million???? no way.

Les-Habitants's picture
Great blog J.T., not to mention a nice piece of reporting.

J.T.'s picture
Thanks a lot! I was just fortunate to be able to be there and lucky to have the chance to share what Mr.Gainey said with all the Habs' fans who couldn't get there in person. http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com

Hoegarden's picture
J.T. Time to cash in. Most of your story is now on Cyberpresse.ca (François Gagnon's blog), carefully translated. Gagnon sounded quite peed off that the story had to come from someone on the rock when Bob commented about the fans in St-John's to be the first to hear about the meeting. quote « Vous êtes les premiers à l’apprendre », a lancé Gainey aux amateurs présents. Un autre bel exemple de l’importance qu’accorde Bob Gainey aux médias affectés à la couverture de son équipe… unquote Yet another example of the importance given by Bob for the media-types covering his team. http://blogues.cyberpresse.ca/gagnon/?p=70313585 As much as I hate 110%, I guess it is a must watch tonight.

J.T.'s picture
Good thing I'm not blogging for the fame and fortune of it! It's just fun for me because I'd be boring my poor husband to death more than I already am about hockey and the Habs. I consider it therapy...his! http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com

Robert L's picture
Nice how the media treats bloggers, eh? One site calls J.T. - TJ, now Gagnon throws her blog address as babsloyalist!

Connecticut Man1's picture
I noticed that, as well. I also noticed that my French is really really rusty. lol

Chorske's picture
Babsloyalist is JT's other site: Barbara Streisand Inside / Out

Robert L's picture
No kidding! Were you actually able to pose him a question or two?

johnnyhab's picture
Robert I was there as well and I was a couple of rows back of the lady who asked Bob about Sundin If I had only known it was J.T from inside/out Great Job and questions J.T.

J.T.'s picture
Hey...nice to see another I/Oer was there too! Wasn't it a great day? http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com

johnnyhab's picture
It was a great day! such a well spoken man.

J.T.'s picture
I was! I'm going to recap some of the other topics he addressed when I get time to update the blog. http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com

Robert L's picture
I'll cook supper, do the dishes, and walk the dog if it helps save you time!




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