Written by Iain Carnegie, AllHabs.net
MONTREAL, QC. — I’ve just turned off my television. Well ok – I haven’t turned it off – I’ve switched channels. I wanted to see a quality hockey game, so I’ve gone from the Habs game on RDS to the World Juniors on TSN2.
I want to clarify something. For those of you that don’t regularly read my work, you won’t know this, but I am a staunch supporter of the Canadiens through thick and thin. In the good days I scream from the rooftops but attempt to stay focused, and in the bad spells I do my utmost to remain level headed.
But this team has me stymied.
Dating back over the past three years (at least) the critics have blamed size on the fact that the team couldn’t forge their way to a Cup victory. So in the last off-season the franchise added size and we are no longer the “smurfs” that many claimed we were. Outcome? Nothing.
Injuries have been cited as a major factor for the teams failure. But in the course of the season, with the exception of Markov and White, most players have been in the line-up. Take into account that many other NHL teams have also suffered great losses to their roster and managed to produce a much better record, and once again the diagnosis is incorrect.
Then we move into the power-play woes. First, let’s fire the special teams coach Perry Pearn. That worked for all of three games. Then let’s add Tomas Kaberle, the latest Canadiens saviour, for $4.25M in cap space. That also lasted for about three games at best. Grading on this move: another fail.
But wait, if we just fire the coach, and rid ourselves of that evil hermit Jacques Martin, all will be resolved!
Done! Welcome to the bench Randy Cunneyworth. After tonight you are a solid “Oh and four.” I guess if you spoke French, we’d be without a loss in the last four road games.
The fact of the matter is this. Despite injuries, regardless of the coach (whether head coach or special-teams), and no matter what player the franchise picks up and deems to be the next great hero, the team that hits the ice every night is a poor excuse for a Montreal Canadiens line-up.
The leaders refuse to show up night in and night out. The youth are the only ones carrying the team, outside of the goaltending unit, there is a serious lack of heart, determination, and pride. There is no sense of urgency from any player.
I usually struggle to find at least something positive to say about this team that I hold so dear, but on this day, it’s far too much of a struggle.
I can only leave the team with a word of advice. Tune into the World Junior competition and see what it’s like to play with excitement and heart. Maybe you can catch the bug.