Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Band of Brothers

To the surprise only of people living in caves for the last six months, Brian Gionta has finally been confirmed as the new Canadiens captain. It's a good, solid, safe choice for the organization. Gionta will never be the guy who needs to be walked around Montreal by the GM to get him out of a self-imposed funk. He'll never be the man photographed partying without discretion in Mexico, or stirring up controversy with an ill-advised word to the media.

On the contrary, Gio will always be the man with the politically-correct answer and the quiet, determined demeanor. He will operate with class and dignity off the ice, and he will always give every bit of himself he's capable of giving to his team on it. He'll take French lessons and patiently attend countless public functions as the official player representative. Gionta isn't a quote machine like Scott Gomez or Mike Cammalleri. He's not going to put up as many points as Tomas Plekanec or be an All-Star like Andrei Markov. But any man in the dressing room who can dog it without guilt after watching Gionta isn't likely to be a Hab for long.

If he had a single message today, in his inaugural address to the media as captain, it was that he won't really be holding office on his own. Markov and Gill will be the official alternates, but Gionta repeatedly credited the "leadership group" that emerged last year, particularly during the playoffs, for the role they played then and will continue to play. Coach Jacques Martin later named the members of that Group of Seven. Along with the three men wearing letters, he mentioned Plekanec, Cammalleri, Gomez and Josh Gorges. There's no doubt all seven are on the same page as Gionta and will back him up in the room and in public. A new captain can't have a better chance to succeed.

The first evidence of the leadership by committee approach in this new season has been in their collective defence of Carey Price. Cammalleri told the fans if they're behind the team, then they need to be behind Price because the team is behind him. Markov, in an interview in a Russian paper, told fans and media to lay off Price because the Halak trade wasn't his fault. Gorges said it's unfair to blame Price for goals against when the rest of the team was making such brutal defensive errors. Plekanec pleaded with the fans to give the kid a break. Gomez, in his inimitable way, told CJAD that fans should be booing Jaroslav Spacek instead of Price. They all have made it clear they stand together, in a way most of us don't remember a Canadiens team doing before, in defence of each other and the group. Take a swipe at one of us, they're saying, and you take one at us all.

When Gionta repeated today that his captaincy won't change much about how things worked last year, he meant it. The role of captain is an important one in Montreal, but the man holding it can't do it all alone. Last year, a group of strangers met in October to start a season. They were forged by adversity and low expectations into an entity stronger than the collection of individuals. Gionta was part of that, a newcomer who became a vital part of the playoff machine. He represents the team that emerged from the post-season battle, but he's not above it. He's a part of it, and every one of the men who went through last year's playoffs with him have his back.

Gionta might not be the funniest guy on the team, or the most skilled. He's certainly not the biggest or the most vocal. In the end, he wasn't chosen to represent any of those things. He was picked to represent the team this group of players has become, with their determination to make sacrifices of physical well-being and emotional comfort in an effort to win together. In that regard, there's nobody better for the job.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

At least we know who Bettman will give the Cup to now.

Anonymous said...

Halfway through last season, anyone who asked me who should be captain, got my answer, "Gio" - for all the reasons J.T. so eloquently stated (better than I could!). Our Habs will be well served by this little BIG man. Cammy's got a different spotlight, he's great with it, but doesn't need the 'C' pressure when he's in a 10-game slump (which WILL happen, my friends). Same kind of thing for Markov - if they had no other leaders, then sure he is worthy - but he knows what he needs to provide, and has done so "quietly" (if you can call .59 ppg "quiet")for his entire career; he does not need or want the attention that the 'C' would bring. This is gonna be a fun year, gang! Go Habs Go!! Jean A.

JF said...

Looking back over last season and thinking about the team that was forged in the playoffs,it now seems that management made the right decision in not appointing a captain last fall. What emerged instead was a group of leaders, a "band of brothers," who, as the playoffs unfolded, moulded the identity of this team. Starting with a group of strangers, we finished the year as a united, courageous, and determined team, a team that will not quit or bow its head in the face of adversity.

Gionta, who gives everything he's got every night, is a fitting leader. He will be a great captain. Almost from the beginning of last season, he was one of my choices, the other being Josh Gorges, who I think would be just as good. He's just as responsible as Gionta, just as committed to the team, and a little more articulate. I'm a bit disappointed not to see him get an 'A'. However, perhaps his time will come; Gill's contract is up at the end of the season.

Hadulf said...

Well said J.T. I'm all for it...

@JF - True, Gill's contract is up and so is Markov's. I think if they can get a good trade for Markov, he may be a goner. I know, it doesn't sound right, but we have this PK kid coming up (heard of him?)...We'll see. Either way, Gorges will get an 'A' at some point.

Anonymous said...

"Gionta will never be the guy who needs to be walked around Montreal by the GM to get him out of a self-imposed funk. He'll never be the man photographed partying without discretion in Mexico, or stirring up controversy with an ill-advised word to the media."

Lay off Carey already. You've made your point, you think the Habs should have kept Halak, I agree. But if the leaders of the team are standing behind Price then you should too. Either that or you are "taking a swipe at them all."

J.T. said...

@anon (the overly-sensitive Price fan one): Totally behind Carey here. You can't be a Habs fan...especially this year...unless you support the goalie. What I wrote was in illustration of distractions the team has faced in the past; the kind Gionta will help steer it away from. You can admit that Price's photographs among many, many other things in recent years have been cause for controversy, deserved or not, and still be a supporter of his you know.

MC said...

There have been some comments about how a fan should act or think here lately, especially with the criticism of Price. I love the fact that JT calls a spade a spade. IMO, this is what I expect from truly passionate Habs fans. I don't see anything wrong with being critical of the team as a fan as long as it is relatively respectful and somewhat objective. I don't even mind the booing of a bad play - passion is a double-edged sword. Unconditional love is for mothers and Leaf fans. And we all know that Leaf fans are loyal, no matter what. They have to be.

Paul O. said...

@ Anon: Personally, I have been getting tired of all the bitching and moaning about price in two of my favorite habs blogs this summer, but I don't sense it here.

Since the preseason has started everyone is back on track with awesome analysis and posts. I will wait untill the season before I judge Price.

Anonymous said...

Most think Price is the key to the season but I think what Gauthier gets in return for AK46 and Pouliot is the key. If they aren't gone by Christmas the Habs will be all out to make the playoffs. Moving Moen and Eller up to the top two lines will ruin the bottom six and every night will be a struggle.

I think Price will be fine.