written by Iain Carnegie, AllHabs.net
“I don’t mind saying Alexander Semin’s name because he’s one guy who has so much talent, he could easily be the best player in the league, and for whatever reason just doesn’t care.” ~ Matt Bradley on the Team 1200 in Ottawa
MONTREAL, QC. — Ouch! I wonder if Semin cares about those comments?
If you’ve been reading the last three posts that I’ve contributed here (including listening to the audio portions), you’ll know that there was a tremendous amount of time devoted to player character and the depth that’s required by a team as they head down the stretch and into the playoffs.
It’s one of the many reasons that I have such high hopes for the Canadiens upcoming season; barring tremendous injury, and a re-enactment of last years performance by Scott Gomez.
I don’t want to re-hash my feelings about the Habs chance at a Cup run this coming season. Everyone here knows my thoughts on that, and my reasoning for them. But when I heard this interview with the ex-Washington Capitals winger (now suiting up for the Florida Panthers), I was immediately taken back to a discussion that I had recently about the lacklustre performance of the Caps over the past two post-seasons.
“When you’ve got a guy like that you need him to be your best player, or one of your best players, and when he dosen’t show up, you almost get the sense that he wants to be back in Russia.” ~ Matt Bradley on Alexander Semin
There are so many facets to the game that are required to take a team to that coveted moment when they get to hoist the Stanley Cup as champions. Talent is clearly a very important segment, and something that the Montreal Canadiens are improving on this off season.
Erik Cole’s addition to the top six forwards should clearly allow better lanes and increased opportunity for both Michael Cammalleri and Tomas Plekanec. With the right attitude, and some skilled coaching, there is reason to believe that Andrei Kostitsyn should bring more depth across the top nine as he’ll most likely get shifted to the third line.
Scott Gomez made a commitment to the team and the fans, that he would improve his game for the coming year, and he’s taken that commitment to heart over the summer. Using a personal trainer to get himself back in shape was imperative, and it seems that Gomez is undertaking the right measures and taking his promise seriously.
The team has clearly found themselves fortunate enough to have one of the best goaltenders in the league. A repeat of last season could even propel Price into the top spot in the NHL. PK Subban, Josh Gorges, and Andrei Markov all are leaders in the defensive category.
All in all, a very strong and talented team.
Many would argue that the overall skill-set of the Washington Capitals outshines that of La Flanelle. Players like Alexander Ovechkin, Niklas Backstrom, and Alexander Semin placed them as Cup contenders last year even before the season began.
So what is it about the playoffs that turns a Presidents trophy-winning team into a roll-over franchise? There is a lack of cohesion in the room, between the players, in the place that it counts the most. There is no room for individuality in the game of hockey, especially not after the initial 82 games are played, and the pressure get’s taken up a notch.
“If there’s one thing the playoffs do to a player, it’s expose them!” ~ CTV Montreal’s Brian Wilde on the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Intangibles like leadership, determination, cohesion, desire, and sacrifice are the real difference makers that all starts within the confines of the four walls of the dressing room. It’s a place that the Montreal Canadiens have proven they have those skills.
Two seasons ago, that was what set them above the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins, helping them to get to the Eastern Conference final. I wonder how that final would have looked with the infusion of Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole into the line-up.
Last season Les Boys took the eventual Stanley Cup champions to a seventh game, and came up only one overtime goal shy of moving on– this being a team that dressed twelve different defenders during the season and faced devastating injury.
The difference lies in the room, that sacred place where silence between players can often be as strong as words. It’s a place where teams come together for one cause, and a place where one mans victory takes a back seat to the needs that are paramount to the team as a whole. It’s the same place where the words of Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae hang over the players heads:
“To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.” ~ In Flanders Fields
Matt Bradley had some strong words about his old team-mate. They are words that have resonated around the hockey world all day. They are words that can’t be adhered to any of the players that reside here in Montreal because in our room, the players care.
Good post, Iain.
I always find declarations like Bradley’s interesting. While he focuses on Semin’s lack of effort and careless attitude, the part of the story that is not told is why Semin is not taken to task by whatever leadership should be in the Caps’ dressing room.
When you have strong cohesion, and leadership that puts it all on the line every practice and every game, it makes for 2 things:
– an environment where the other players feel compelled to give their very best;
– an untenable environment for anyone who doesn’t.
If Semin doesn’t care, wouldn’t that imply that there is a lack of leadership in that room? Shouldn’t he get called out like Price was seemingly called out by Markov 2 years ago? Price responded by more effort, and what has it done for his game? He is arguably the best young goaltender in the league, recognize for his talent and work ethic.
Gomez apologized to his teammates for his lackluster season because he feels he owes his best effort to the guys.
How a Semin is allowed to not care speaks more loudly to me about Ovechkin’s and the veterans leadership in Washington then his own drive and motivation.
I agree that Montreal should fare better than Washington and other teams because these guys want tonwin together. Losing inconsistent players like Pouliot will only help in that regards. My only concern in that room still is our friend Andrei K. I wonder what the story is with him…
Great work, as always!
Much Appreciated Chris.
I think the comment on Semin inadvertantly does exactly what you say. It causes a deeper look into each cog that exists within their franchise that are supposed to make the wheel spin around.
From a player perspective, fans have always been blinded by the flash of individual talent that the Capitals have, not realizing just how individual that talent was. There seems to be little cohesion and unity.
Montreal seems to be the opposite – something that makes me proud of our boys.
Kostitsyn may very well be the exception, but I won’t let his latest comments be a full painting of who he is. With all hope, Martin coaches him in a positive manner and he accepts it for what it is. Time will be the only measuring stick I’m afraid.
Thanks for the read and comments.
This team is simply a mess and needs new management desperately. Habs will be fighting for a playoff spot again, how nice.
If you’re speaking of the Habs – I can’t agree with you one bit. This team has seen improvement (steadily) over the past two seasons, and with the off season moves, have only gotten stronger.
These players are a true team. They play together and bleed together. A winning formula.
Now – if I was mistaken and you were talking about the Capitals … Yes – they are a mess.
Thanks for the read.
Mess?
Sure its possible they may be fighting for playoffs spot, but unlikely. Gauthier continues to improve the roster and depth and Timmons has done well with picks.
I dont think Kostitsyn’s comments wont impact team chemistry, nor Martin’s view of him, as he probably dosent even know his name anyways.
I think I’ve been confused, so if that’s the case – I apologize.
So to clarify, I don’t think that the Caps will be fighting for a playoff spot. I also don’t think that the Habs will either. I’m a firm believer that both teams will see the post season above an 8th place finish.
But as far as Washington goes – I believe they are a mess. They lack that unity that will give them longevity. They need to make adjustments either in attitude or personnel.
I love the article, but would argue we have one “Semin-type” in the locker room… who happens to be a belaRUSSIAN….
Addition by substraction… trade him for draft picks. Give Deharnais the chance to step up … he has the skill, desire and passion … give him the ooportunity!!
Thanks Raja. Glad you enjoyed it.
As I mentioned above to Chris, I don’t know how to fully disect Kostitsyn. He has great hockey skill that sometimes gets lost from what can be percieved as a lack of effort.
I’m willing to see what he can do on the third line this season. His size (if utilized) will be powerful for that line. I think it also gives Desharnais the opportunity to notch another year in his belt of experience.
October and November will be interesting months!
Well written and couldnt agree more, the players in our room are close and really do care about winning
Thanks Shawn.
There’s nothing quite like a close knit Band of Brothers. That can be said and carried over into various areas of life, and not just sports.
There’s something special happening in the dressing room of the Montreal Canadiens, and I believe that it will breed great success for the players individually, and the team as a whole.
Thanks for the support.
The title could equally have been: “Success Breeds Unity” and I think this is a key point.
The Canadiens have been relatively successful, probably punching above their weight in the last two seasons and so are on a morale high.
The real test for any room’s unity only really happens when things go wrong. Do fingers get pointed? Do cliques form? Do certain players give up on others?
IN 2008 the Habs lauded their room chemistry also, but then the same team in 2009 burned and had to be completely purged.
A lot is made about what a great group this particular set of players is, but I think that remains to be seen. The NHL season is long and if the room truly is as great as we all suspect it is, then it should be a playoff team with a good foot in the door of the second round at least.
Let’s see I guess.
Interesting point. But I think we might be playing “the chicken or the egg” game here.
No doubt there is a symbiotic relationship between both factors. Unity breeds success, and in turn – continued success breeds unity. I don’t believe for a moment though, that the Habs players are bound together tightly because of their success over the past two seasons. I do believe it is what continues to bring them together though.
Regarding the 2008-09 roster, I can’t honestly say that I heard a lot of chatter about the players unity. I’ll have to take your word for that. What I do know is this: There was no doubt in anyones mind that had access to that room that there was a power struggle between Koivu and Kovalev, and various cliques that kept true harmony from being accomplished.
In comparison, when you look at the current team, the way they interact both on and off the ice, I believe it’s easy to make a lot about what they have. I don’t think there’s anything else to be seen as far as their team cohesion is concerned. This team will make the playoffs again in the coming season, of that I’m sure (barring any serious injury). And keep in mind, when game 7 of the ECQF took place last year; when a full 60 minutes had expired – both Montreal and Boston had their foot in the door for second round contention.
Thanks for the read and comments!
Bradley simply said about Semin what was plainly obvious to anyone watching – he doesn’t care. He can’t raise his game when it counts. He can rack up points in a regular season, but when the real blood & guts players come to play, he vanishes.
Talent is a wonderful thing to have, but it is meaningless without heart, determination and drive. Yet, some Habs fans will no doubt cry for Gauthier to make this dog an offer next year. It baffles me.
The Canadiens could use a touch more high end talent (and game plan to match) to go along with the character and heart they have in the room. My new creed is ‘mercenaries need not apply’.
And if we don’t believe what Bradley said, take a look at the signings McPhee made over the summer. All character players to compensate for jerks like Semin (Washington’s version of Pouliot) who bring sizzle but no steak to the rink.
Nail on head!
Semin is one of those exposed players in the playoffs. I hope that the people you think will be calling for Guathier to sign him look back on this moment and take it for what it is. The cold hard facts on a player that we don’t need in our room.
I love what you say about talent. I couldn’t agree more. The Washington Capitals are the epitome of your comment. They have a ton of talent. But when it’s kept at the individual level, and there is no heart to back it up, it leaves you golfing in May.
Thanks for the read, comments, and support Kyle! Always appreciated.
When one of your best players (Pleks) consistently puts the needs of the team before his own personal goal scoring desires first that shows tremendous leadership and commitment to the team. Hard for up and comers to exhibit selfish behaviors when the best of the team do what is asked of them on a consistent basis. Look at Subban’s reaction to being benched last year, never complained, and took it to heart (IMO) and improved his all around game.
Great article, I could not agree more.
You make a great point on Subban and the benching incident. I’m pretty sure most fans expressed their aggravation and anger at the call (esp after the second night), while PK took it in stride and put the team before himself. What a great student of the game.
Just one cog in the wheel of winners in the room!
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