tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post7855854520847211162..comments2023-06-01T21:15:57.354-11:00Comments on The H Does NOT Stand For Habs: Let the Summer of Rejection BeginJ.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00012075493503316318noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-59618240827209709382009-06-10T04:48:56.724-11:002009-06-10T04:48:56.724-11:00I remember a couple of years ago, Koivu mistakingl...I remember a couple of years ago, Koivu mistakingly said to the media "I don't want to be part of a team that is constantly rebuilding", which is what the habs were doing. The media understood it that he wanted to leave Montreal, when he was actually telling the organization that their rebuilding methods weren't working and the should get going on something new and better. Soon after, the habs finished first in the conference. A year later, they are rebuilding again. <br /><br />Unless Gainey lands a big name and changes things in a big way, we're gonna have to say bye to Koivu.mr. gillishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04408353358872888532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-28385133212035721562009-06-09T16:57:46.408-11:002009-06-09T16:57:46.408-11:00Mark, you might have 21,279 fans but they are fans...Mark, you might have 21,279 fans but they are fans who boo their own players when things don't go their way. And I know that not all the fans are like that but the ones not booing weren't cheering loud enough to drown them out. What free agent in their right mind is going to want to sign in that condition? My guess is that they'll go play somewhere else for a bit less where they'll contend. <br /><br />Its sad that Montreal has gotten into a situation where its history is just that ... history.Sharihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12955277066922136865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-76303526942255159832009-06-09T09:59:44.650-11:002009-06-09T09:59:44.650-11:00In the past I, like Mark, didn't buy the argum...In the past I, like Mark, didn't buy the argument that you made. Reading a couple of hockey books has changed my mind. I grossly underestimated the importance of the playoffs and winning a championship to the players.<br /><br />The players understand that the difference between accepting a salary of $4 million or $6.5 million won't change their lives significantly. The regular season is a grind, only the playoffs really matter. <br /><br />The prospect of having to play 80+ games for a losing team, or even a team that limps into the playoffs is dreadful. This is what Koivu must be thinking about. If Gainey can sign a superstar, Koivu might stay. Otherwise, Saku will want to play for a contender (for once).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-58390694938073871202009-06-09T05:08:18.823-11:002009-06-09T05:08:18.823-11:00I understand your frustration, but I just don'...I understand your frustration, but I just don't get the argument that we can't land any decent free agents based on the fact that big-name UFAs have tended to pick one of the other 29 teams. Of course they have -- there are 29 of them, and only two or three teams consistently land more than 1 in 10 big-name FAs. The rest get into bidding wars, and each year, we seem to be right there in the mix. Most UFAs just go where the money is, like Sundin did, and this year, we've got tons of cash to throw around. Guessing about this year's UFA-signing performance based on the last few years' performance is like saying Chicago will never win a Cup, seeing as how they haven't landed one in half a century. Yes, we have a tough media, cold-ish weather and high taxes to deal with. But we've also got a big-league coach for a change, premier conditioning facilities, 21,279 roaring fans at every game, and a hell of a lot of banners overhead -- not to mention the cash to be real contenders in the FA sweepstakes this summer.redbaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17282115787668494775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-56494618526837183972009-06-09T02:13:22.400-11:002009-06-09T02:13:22.400-11:00too depressing...too depressing...Darren Biffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17400526498613989489noreply@blogger.com