The All Habs banner is very familiar to our readers. The photo was chosen deliberately to reflect the vision of All Habs. The perspective from directly behind the Canadiens’ bench is a shared view of the ice, by both players and fans alike.
Watching the action together, we are all Habs.
Due to roster subtractions, the banner has experienced changes over the past year. It has led some readers to whisper about the Madden Curse. Super Bowl weekend provides the perfect backdrop for us to investigate this parallel.
“Madden NFL” is a video game by EA Sports and named after former Raiders coach and football commentator, John Madden. Each year a prominent NFL player is featured on the cover of the game.
Some fans believe that the cover spot is a curse for the player pictured. It’s true that some Madden NFL cover players have had poor seasons or been injured.
Pittsburgh Steeler’s safety Troy Polamalu was the most recent player to be struck by the curse. After appearing on the cover of Madden NFL 10, Polamalu had an injury riddled season. His misfortune began by spraining his medial collateral ligament (MCL) in the first half of the Steeler’s season opener.
Other notable ‘victims’ have included Donovan McNabb (hernia), Michael Vick (broken leg), Shaun Alexander (broken foot) and Vince Young (a season of 9 TD’s and 17 INT’s) in the year that they graced the cover of Madden NFL.
San Diego Chargers’ star running back LaDainian Tomlinson turned down the spot on Madden NFL 2008 because, some said, he was worried about the curse. Tomlinson denied the report but has never appeared on Madden’s video game.
During the Super Bowl, fans will be asked to choose the player who will don the cover of Madden NFL ’11. The nominees are Jared Allen, Drew Brees, and Reggie Wayne. Is this a contest one wants to win?
So what about the All Habs banner? The original eight player banner included Guillaume Latendresse, Francis Bouillon, Patrice Brisebois, and Tom Kostopoulos sitting along side the four players that remain. The bench has gotten shorter as Latendresse was traded in November, with the other three not returning from last season.
Of the four who remain: Jaroslav Halak is playing well but has asked Bob Gainey for a trade; Josh Gorges has struggled this year, Ryan O’Byrne is playing his best hockey but no longer wears number three; and Max Lapierre is having the worst season of any of the Canadiens.
Perhaps that’s taking this whole curse business way too far. But just in case, we’re dumping the banner anyway. After all, superstitions are an acknowledged part of sports!
Keep visiting. Changes are on the way.
Halak has never asked for a trade, he asked to play more or trade me. Seeing as he`s playing more I doubt he wants a trade, he just wanted some recognition.
I`a guess that he got tired of playing better then Price all year as well as last year and yet Price kept getting starts. If Halak had not spoke up the Habs wouldn`t be setting in 6th right now. Price will never be the goalie Halak is, Price doesn`t have what it takes, heart, the drive to be the best, Halak does.
In case anyone tries to pin this on me… I asked Rocket to change the banner before Jaro asked for a trade. Don't blame this one me :D
Anon, it should be obvious that this is a light-hearted article. It is certainly not the place for any Price-hating nonsense, especially when your comment was so devoid of facts, albeit one. The Canadiens are presently in sixth place in the conference.
EP, I think you just identified yourself as the superstitious member of the crew. :)
Price hating nonsense? Man, you here at All Habs are the ones devoid of facts, again, show me where Halak asked for a trade as you state as fact in your little light hearted piece, lol.
Truth is you want Halak traded because he is doing what your boy couldn`t and never will do, win games.
Hahahaha, I'm really not all that superstitious… I mean, okay, last year I wore my Habs shirt throughout the Caps' playoff run because they never lost when I wore it and maybe I ate a pile of tomatoes and olives during the Wings' playoff run because they never lost when I ate that…..
But that was last year!!! I'm a changed person now :D
Isn't denial one of the steps, EP? :)
Well Anon, hatred often blinds people to facts so it's not a surprise that you missed it.
Halak was given an opportunity to deny that he had asked for a trade. He did not. Neither did his agent.
I would say 'do the math' but I'm afraid my confidence in your ability to do that isn't very high right now.
In addition, Gainey framed the request in diplomatic language in one presser, and confirmed it in another.
I thought admitting it was one of the steps? Or something… something about you can't fix what you don't admit? :D
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