So Vegas fired Gerard Gallant today. He had a .601 win% in 213 games with an expansion team. Julien has a .525 win% in 235 games since rejoining the Habs. But his job is safe because he can tell the Quebec media in 2 languages how much he sucks. As an anglo with limited French capabilities and not living in Quebec I have to realize I will never fully understand this desire, this requirement for Habs staff to be bilingual but even more how the team bends to the demands of the Quebecois media. If the best coach/GM available was a uni-lingual anglophone or Russian or Finn, would having a translator not suffice? Especially at the coach level. I almost see the GM as being more of a public figure and the statements/speeches they need to give a few times per year, it being beneficial to be bilingual. But even then, there are really good translators...I guess in my mind winning hockey games and ultimately the Stanley Cup should be the only goals of management. Bah! I guess I'm old school and there is more to the game than just winning now.
Ken Dryden famously wrote a long time ago in his book 'The Game' ... the Montreal Canadiens will have to make the choice: do they want to win or do they want to be French? Well, 40 years later or so, they've made their choice and the results speak for themselves.
I don't want to offend good guys like moe, a proud francophone, but the bilingual requirement will always be an albatross around the Canadiens' neck.
Holy crap, I've been on the go all day and didn't know Gallant got canned. Vegas early success was always going to be a very high bar set for that franchise and end the end, bad for the coaches. Hopefully, julien and his enabler will both be gone after another lost season.
Google translate makes us all citizens of a Star Trek universe where an Anglo could do a presser in French as long as he wore a metallic suit with testicles on the lobs.
Crazy stuff, Gallant replaced with DeBoer fired not long ago, it's like fucking musical chairs in the coaching world. Gallant will probably end up in San Jose...
Thinking more of the language issue because this game is trash, and it's dawned on me what bugs me so much about the issue. I'm a huge fan of many sports with hockey at the top of that list, but I find mid and post game interviews 100% inane. There is no question that can be asked to a player or coach that we don't all know the answer to. Add in the same fucking canned answers and you may as well watch Gilligan Island reruns instead, because post game interviews are pure shite. Sure you get the odd soundbite from the Torts 'or Maurice's of the league, but generally all crap. So what difference does it make what language spews that fucking garbage. I would reiterate the GM and Prez would have 3 or 4 important pressers per year where it matters.
Anyway, I watched the game with the FF button. Don't think I missed anything ground breaking.
And this is also what I found so refreshing when PK was new to the league, he always gave well thought out, expanded answers...until the man crushed his spirit and put him in his place.
The language issue is a dead horse, no sense beating it. We can only hope that some day, a couple of Quebecois will have the hockey smarts to figure it out and give Habs fans a Cup victory. bergevin and julien aren't those people so we will have to accept mediocrity and losing as a fact of life until such time. I guess I should include the players in the equation as well. Maybe someday there will be a few talented, highly skilled players who can one day win a Cup.
Man, Gerard Gallant gets fired with a winning record yet julien gets a pass for this Habby Horror Picture Show? Fuck me. Time for him and Captain Kirk to get the boot. Turn the reins over to Ducharme FFS what have you got to lose? Answer: Nothing!
I'm all in on the tank now. Even if Lafreniere is not available, this Byfield kid sounds like a pretty good consolation prize.
It looks like the Habs will have to play at a .750 clip to get to 98 points and POSSIBLY get in the playoffs. After the next two inevitable losses to Philthy and The Golden Showers I think we can all agree this season is toast. Here's what I would do. Entering the bye week, fire ex-Bruin coach julien and Captain Kirk. Assuming Ducharme takes over, he sits down with Kid KoHo and Nature and say for the rest of this season, no matter what happens, you guys are my No. 1 and 2 centers. Danault goes to the 3rd line and N8 is on No. 4. Put the wingers wherever you want with t17 on one of the top 2. Send Weal and Cousins to Laval. Forever. Bring up Vedjemo and Evans if you need them. Keep KidG out for the rest of the year for his own sake. GI Finn and Turnover Machine will be back put them wherever you want on the wing. Keep Price and Weber and Kovalchuk for the rest of the year. The D doesn't matter. Play Price 2 games a week and Lindgren on other, again it doesn't matter against what teams. Keep Primeau in Laval and let Joel Bouchard try to get them into the AHL playoffs. If you finish in the bottom 5 great, if not so what, let the hockey gods and luck bear witness.
I was thinking about watching the game tonight but I've decided I can't bear to see clod standing behind the bench any more making his bullshit decisions. Kinda how I felt about Arrogant Fuckface when he kept putting DDD and Mathieu Darche out on the PP night after night. No, I think I'll keep watching The Watchmen while I still have Crave.
agree with most points, I would keep BBB because as I have said in the past his main weakness is having buddies around. As a shwred trader of horseflesh he has been spot on with the exception of alzner, and can he not unload him to the leaf?
I would hire Galant yesterday, leave Clod in for this year and start with him next year. Move Clod up to assistant GM in making the refs accountable.
If my memory is correct, the Habs enjoyed a couple of decent seasons with Gerard Gallant as an assistant to Arrogant Fuckface. He seems to have a short shelf life wherever he goes unfortunately plus, he doesn't parlez. He will always be revered in this town though, leading the Sea Dogs to two QMJHL championships and a Memorial Cup.
I'll play along - in the spirit of "we have a slim chance, we can still do it, never say never - the boys were clutch on the road in taking a four-pointer against a team they are chasing for a WC spot. KidKoho turned yeti at the site of EAP getting boarded and bloodied, and channeled the hockey gods, or at least the Rocket, and pummeled the perp mercilessly. T17 with two goals and GI Finn back in the line-up, while TFS played solid for his third straight outing. Que l'on continue. GYFHG --SIM
I think some people were embarrassed they didn't show up the night before against Chicago.
Realistically, for the Habs to grab a WC spot, they are going to have to go on a long winning streak and a couple teams ahead of them to come off the rails completely. I'm not going to hold my breath.
Whilst working at Apple in California (a couple of summer stints), I stayed with 6 other Canadian dudes in a Santa Cruz bungalow. Owner sold it for near $2M.
So Vegas fired Gerard Gallant today. He had a .601 win% in 213 games with an expansion team. Julien has a .525 win% in 235 games since rejoining the Habs. But his job is safe because he can tell the Quebec media in 2 languages how much he sucks. As an anglo with limited French capabilities and not living in Quebec I have to realize I will never fully understand this desire, this requirement for Habs staff to be bilingual but even more how the team bends to the demands of the Quebecois media. If the best coach/GM available was a uni-lingual anglophone or Russian or Finn, would having a translator not suffice? Especially at the coach level. I almost see the GM as being more of a public figure and the statements/speeches they need to give a few times per year, it being beneficial to be bilingual. But even then, there are really good translators...I guess in my mind winning hockey games and ultimately the Stanley Cup should be the only goals of management. Bah! I guess I'm old school and there is more to the game than just winning now.
ReplyDeleteKen Dryden famously wrote a long time ago in his book 'The Game' ... the Montreal Canadiens will have to make the choice: do they want to win or do they want to be French? Well, 40 years later or so, they've made their choice and the results speak for themselves.
DeleteI don't want to offend good guys like moe, a proud francophone, but the bilingual requirement will always be an albatross around the Canadiens' neck.
Holy crap, I've been on the go all day and didn't know Gallant got canned. Vegas early success was always going to be a very high bar set for that franchise and end the end, bad for the coaches. Hopefully, julien and his enabler will both be gone after another lost season.
Noice gameday thread !
DeleteGoogle translate makes us all citizens of a Star Trek universe where an Anglo could do a presser in French as long as he wore a metallic suit with testicles on the lobs.
DeleteCrazy stuff, Gallant replaced with DeBoer fired not long ago, it's like fucking musical chairs in the coaching world. Gallant will probably end up in San Jose...
ReplyDeleteOr Detroit.
DeleteYes.
DeleteMy old colleague Geoff Baker expects him to be on the short list with Seattle.
DeleteCrazy times.
ReplyDeleteNot offended in the least.
Bobby Smith's french is really good.
Distinct society is real.
DeleteMe loves those kittens!
ReplyDeleteWe should sign Gallant now to a 5 yearer. Cause Clod is getting ready for the glue factory.
ReplyDeleteCrawford's not going to lose with a two goal lead in his hometown.
ReplyDeleteDano!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen a goalie unintentionally loses his blocker, isn't that enough for the refs to call the whistle?
ReplyDeleteThinking more of the language issue because this game is trash, and it's dawned on me what bugs me so much about the issue. I'm a huge fan of many sports with hockey at the top of that list, but I find mid and post game interviews 100% inane. There is no question that can be asked to a player or coach that we don't all know the answer to. Add in the same fucking canned answers and you may as well watch Gilligan Island reruns instead, because post game interviews are pure shite. Sure you get the odd soundbite from the Torts 'or Maurice's of the league, but generally all crap. So what difference does it make what language spews that fucking garbage. I would reiterate the GM and Prez would have 3 or 4 important pressers per year where it matters.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I watched the game with the FF button. Don't think I missed anything ground breaking.
And this is also what I found so refreshing when PK was new to the league, he always gave well thought out, expanded answers...until the man crushed his spirit and put him in his place.
DeleteEvery once in a while, the Domi leaks into Domi's play. Cost them tonight. That and resident superstar Weal.
ReplyDeleteLindgren is not an NHL goalie. The Rockets are off all week. Next game is Saturday. Whither Primeau FFS? --SiM
DeleteYeah he was pretty brutal too esp. on the first goal. And then how do you lose your stick AND blocker?
DeleteI expect they just want Primo to keep playing meaningful games in the A...and keep him away from this shitshow.
That was the end of a back to back for the Hawks. How did they manage to win? Inquiring minds (leafools) want to know?
DeleteThe language issue is a dead horse, no sense beating it. We can only hope that some day, a couple of Quebecois will have the hockey smarts to figure it out and give Habs fans a Cup victory. bergevin and julien aren't those people so we will have to accept mediocrity and losing as a fact of life until such time. I guess I should include the players in the equation as well. Maybe someday there will be a few talented, highly skilled players who can one day win a Cup.
ReplyDeleteMan, Gerard Gallant gets fired with a winning record yet julien gets a pass for this Habby Horror Picture Show? Fuck me. Time for him and Captain Kirk to get the boot. Turn the reins over to Ducharme FFS what have you got to lose? Answer: Nothing!
ReplyDeleteI'm all in on the tank now. Even if Lafreniere is not available, this Byfield kid sounds like a pretty good consolation prize.
It looks like the Habs will have to play at a .750 clip to get to 98 points and POSSIBLY get in the playoffs. After the next two inevitable losses to Philthy and The Golden Showers I think we can all agree this season is toast. Here's what I would do. Entering the bye week, fire ex-Bruin coach julien and Captain Kirk. Assuming Ducharme takes over, he sits down with Kid KoHo and Nature and say for the rest of this season, no matter what happens, you guys are my No. 1 and 2 centers. Danault goes to the 3rd line and N8 is on No. 4. Put the wingers wherever you want with t17 on one of the top 2. Send Weal and Cousins to Laval. Forever. Bring up Vedjemo and Evans if you need them. Keep KidG out for the rest of the year for his own sake. GI Finn and Turnover Machine will be back put them wherever you want on the wing. Keep Price and Weber and Kovalchuk for the rest of the year. The D doesn't matter. Play Price 2 games a week and Lindgren on other, again it doesn't matter against what teams. Keep Primeau in Laval and let Joel Bouchard try to get them into the AHL playoffs. If you finish in the bottom 5 great, if not so what, let the hockey gods and luck bear witness.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about watching the game tonight but I've decided I can't bear to see clod standing behind the bench any more making his bullshit decisions. Kinda how I felt about Arrogant Fuckface when he kept putting DDD and Mathieu Darche out on the PP night after night. No, I think I'll keep watching The Watchmen while I still have Crave.
Just when one gets a slight bit of excitement, it goes poof.
DeleteI've suggested giving CJv2 his walking papers on/around Feb 1st. Sadly time for Captain Kirk to go too.
I don't mind Weal and Cousins on the 4th line. That's it.
Domi needs took shake his game.
I've never like Lindgren's game but he can no longer not be waived.
As things pro/regress, some faves will be moved. Nate being one. Maybe Petry. Kovy (then resigned).
Also, wasted CAP money sucks.
Bobby Smith.
agree with most points, I would keep BBB because as I have said in the past his main weakness is having buddies around. As a shwred trader of horseflesh he has been spot on with the exception of alzner, and can he not unload him to the leaf?
DeleteI would hire Galant yesterday, leave Clod in for this year and start with him next year. Move Clod up to assistant GM in making the refs accountable.
If my memory is correct, the Habs enjoyed a couple of decent seasons with Gerard Gallant as an assistant to Arrogant Fuckface. He seems to have a short shelf life wherever he goes unfortunately plus, he doesn't parlez. He will always be revered in this town though, leading the Sea Dogs to two QMJHL championships and a Memorial Cup.
DeleteLooks like TFS' wtf attitude is serving him well. Saw the game from Koho's big fight on. Good for the kid. T17's value keeps rising with 2 more goals.
ReplyDeleteBTW meant to add a nod to The Rock's Dad Rocky Johnson, a proud Bluenoser and great wrassler in his day. RIP Sir.
You have to see Kid Koho defend pole dancers honour. And we cant even tank properly.
ReplyDeleteI'll play along - in the spirit of "we have a slim chance, we can still do it, never say never - the boys were clutch on the road in taking a four-pointer against a team they are chasing for a WC spot. KidKoho turned yeti at the site of EAP getting boarded and bloodied, and channeled the hockey gods, or at least the Rocket, and pummeled the perp mercilessly. T17 with two goals and GI Finn back in the line-up, while TFS played solid for his third straight outing. Que l'on continue. GYFHG --SIM
ReplyDeleteAnd Dano and Steak and Leko all turned it up too. --SiM
DeleteI think some people were embarrassed they didn't show up the night before against Chicago.
DeleteRealistically, for the Habs to grab a WC spot, they are going to have to go on a long winning streak and a couple teams ahead of them to come off the rails completely. I'm not going to hold my breath.
That was a good game, all around.
ReplyDeleteKidKO!
New Pearl Jam;
ReplyDeletehttps://music.apple.com/ca/album/santa-cruz/1489481335?i=1489481338
Whilst working at Apple in California (a couple of summer stints), I stayed with 6 other Canadian dudes in a Santa Cruz bungalow. Owner sold it for near $2M.
DeleteStay safe, Newfoundlanders! Snowfall by the metre and 150 km/hr winds. I will never complain about Montreal winters again! --SiM
ReplyDeleteNot to worry, East coasters, particularly Newfoundlanders are a hardy bunch!
DeleteUnbelievable what is happening on the Rock. Be safe!
Deletehttps://fourhockeyfans.blogspot.com/2020/01/a-sexy-saturday-hawks.html
ReplyDelete