tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post8753240103074871201..comments2023-06-01T21:15:57.354-11:00Comments on The H Does NOT Stand For Habs: Heart and Soul ColeJ.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00012075493503316318noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-44061283570940892162011-07-13T12:26:50.462-11:002011-07-13T12:26:50.462-11:00all i have to say is welcome erik cole and the dri...all i have to say is welcome erik cole and the drive for 25 is on baby!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-58506755331031873182011-07-12T16:36:24.483-11:002011-07-12T16:36:24.483-11:00Good piece JT; thanks for the thoughtfulness. For ...Good piece JT; thanks for the thoughtfulness. For me, the bigger concern with Cole is the fourth year. I'm wondering how many games we'll get out of a player who plays tough and has had serious injuries. Last year may have been an outlier--if you look at his career stats, it's one of his best, but players have fewer and fewer of those... I'm pretty sure he'll be decent the first two years but he may be down in the 35-40-point range in the third and fourth years. <br /> Hopefully we can start drafting better and getting these players in their prime instead of overpaying for them at the end of their careers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-89177149815980693082011-07-12T04:44:55.118-11:002011-07-12T04:44:55.118-11:00I don't think you can compare him signing in M...I don't think you can compare him signing in Montreal to getting traded to Edmonton.<br /><br />1) Cole grew up a habs fan. This had to play into his decision. <br /><br />2) as stated, he made the choice this time. HUGE difference.<br /><br />3) his career in Edmonton lasted less than a year. its not like Cole has been traded a couple/few times away from Caroline and stunk each time.<br /><br />4) Edmonton was kinda sucking pretty big when Cole showed up. He wasn't going to a good team. Cole, imo, has always been a big game player...no big games going on when he was in Edmonton<br /><br />5) chemistry...chemistry...chemistry. everybody states how he has it with Staal, obviously in a short period of time he didn't find it Edmonton. Does that mean he won't find it Montreal???<br /><br />6) outside of both being in Canada, is there anything even similar between Edmonton and Montreal. It's like comparing Nashville to Paris....apples and oranges to say the least.darrennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-24317474840637784492011-07-12T03:20:36.245-11:002011-07-12T03:20:36.245-11:00I don't think it was a clear-cut head vs heart...I don't think it was a clear-cut head vs heart decision for Cole. In hie interview with the Montreal media, he talked about the passion of the city, the fans, the opportunity to win, etc. With the Raleigh media, he talks about how fantastic it has been and how he would have loved to stay there. <br />The only conclusion we can draw, in my humble opinion, is that Mr. Cole has a very good PR agent and knows what to say, depending on who he is talking to.Pierre pas Pierrenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-57633558536085346392011-07-12T03:11:53.112-11:002011-07-12T03:11:53.112-11:00I understand that Cole has so far only been succes...I understand that Cole has so far only been successful in Carolina, but I don't think people should put too much stock into his performance with Edmonton.<br /><br />First of all, he was traded for the first time in his playing career, and went from a city he loved to a young team that was floundering. He didn't play with anybody that was even close to Staal's skill level.<br /><br />While he still will not play with a big centre like Staal in Montreal, he will probably be playing with Plekanec, who has more than enough skill to help Cole.<br /><br />As for his integration into the room, I believe the situation in Montreal is much better for him than it was in Edmonton. He was likely counted on as a leader on a young team. He will be in a much more comfortable situation here as we already have several Cup winners.Jan_pronounced_Yannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-50390320816344784802011-07-11T20:38:55.096-11:002011-07-11T20:38:55.096-11:00I think you have to give "this player" t...I think you have to give "this player" the benefit of the doubt, unless proven otherwise. It is way too early to question his commitment or his heart, when not even a practice puck has been dropped. Indications are that he is a mature, character player who should prove to be a productive forward on a Canadiens team woefully lacking in grit, precisely one of his stronger traits. <br /><br />The money? That's the business side of hockey, something that I am not prepared to wax an opinion on, knowing as I do very little about the financial aspects of running an NHL franchise. As a fan, what I care about is to see a competitive product on the ice, and I think Mr. Cole will help in that regard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-33159935349825617192011-07-11T10:47:01.256-11:002011-07-11T10:47:01.256-11:00Erik grew up in northern New York state not far fr...Erik grew up in northern New York state not far from Montreal and according to one interview he gave, just after signing, "cheered for the Habs as a kid"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-21583715421812719872011-07-11T10:33:40.018-11:002011-07-11T10:33:40.018-11:00Good read. Methinks Cole will thrive in what a rea...Good read. Methinks Cole will thrive in what a real hockey city is. He was maybe too young to appreciate Edmonton but his maturity and remaining skill will be a big plus for his new team. Bienvenu et Bonne CHance Eric.moemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07714585748102791365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-11717067935704753142011-07-11T08:59:20.464-11:002011-07-11T08:59:20.464-11:00I believe that Erik Cole will fit in quite well in...I believe that Erik Cole will fit in quite well in the Habs dressing room...PG does a good job finding; as you call "heart and soul-character" guys. You do bring up a good point that he chose the Habs org. and that his heart may be in Carolina along with his families...but let's not forget how the great city of Montreal can really melt the heart's of those who don;t even play for the team...including Mr. Cole's. If there is any city and any group of players in the NHL to make a "home-body" feel at home...it's your 2011-2012 Habs! I have complete confidence that the Cole family will fall in love with Montreal and it's fans. I really hope Cole shows up, because he can be pinnacle for us, teach Patches the power forward ways and make the Habs a tough opponent to beat. Cole obviously chose the Habs for reasons other than money, cuz he did ask Gio about all the intangible things about Gio's personal experience and it was all positive. Can't wait for October to see. Go Habs Go!Bonzonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-39549644022866205302011-07-11T06:10:08.450-11:002011-07-11T06:10:08.450-11:00I wonder if he figured in the tax issues. Less is ...I wonder if he figured in the tax issues. Less is more in the US. Also, it always amazes me when an player thinks he needs 18 million to live on and 16 just won't do. <br /><br />I hope he plays well im Montreal but he probably won't. If only the Habs could have gotten Staal too, like they got Gionta for Gomez. Oops, that didn't work out so well did it?dustynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-84169960343375008782011-07-11T04:58:40.052-11:002011-07-11T04:58:40.052-11:00One thing for sure though, is that Cole is a notor...One thing for sure though, is that Cole is a notorious hab killer. When he said in a recent interview that the Bell Centre's atmosphere had always been a motivating factor for him in the past, it's hard not to believe him given the amount of success he's had in Montreal. I sincerely hope this has played a big factor in him coming here, and that it will play a factor in him giving all he's got in a Habs uniform.<br /><br />I just hope that he's not a Donald Audette-type of hab killer, i.e. hurts the Habs whether he plays for or against them.Julesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-91242386067759042482011-07-11T04:00:03.776-11:002011-07-11T04:00:03.776-11:00" He could have decided to take fewer years a..." He could have decided to take fewer years and remain in the city he loves. Instead, he did the wiser thing for the security of his family and his retirement plans."<br /><br />I wonder how many millions it takes for any athlete (or anybody else for that matter) to feel comfortable about his family's security ?Paul. Bnoreply@blogger.com