joliat

Ah, yes, we all have our opinions, don't we...I really don't care what Gainey has said about Kovy, but maybe Kovy has matured, maybe he is more willingly to work with the younger guys, maybe I am being too harsh on him...I can admit to that, that Kovy's past has imbued my perspective on him. But at the same time, let us not all forget his age, how he is nowhere near the level he was many years ago, yet still getting a huge junk of change for a team in transition. We all want this team to be competitive, to win, but at this time with all this young talent, I think Kovy's salary can be placed to better uses than a aged former-star. Maybe I'm looking longer term than the short term, mediocre second round playoff bounce that makes everyone feel good. (Which, in my cynical mind is what Kovy's signing really was.) In another three years or so after Kovy is gone, are we really going to look back and say, 'Wow, that guy really made a difference?' We got rid of one bloated contract of an aging bum in Theodore, we just have to wait for another.

This is what I meant, though everyone has concluded and reacted with much eye rolling and disdain to my original post. Yes, Kovy may be our most talented player, but that that is in POTENTIAL. I still stand by my words: He's done and a waste of 4.5 in these salary cap years is an unbelieveable burden. A mercurial personality and player all his career who really isn't interested in mentoring or making others around him better. You can hope and pray that he is the scoring winger this team needed for the last decade, but he isn't...not at this juncture in his career.

I'd say trade Kovy, because, c'mon, I think this guy is done...He's old, he's rotted, he doesn't have the ambition (he never really did), he's made his money, collecting another fat paycheck. 4.5 million for 22 goals? Oh sure, comes the now tired reponse, "He scored____points." Big deal. He was never there to begin with this year. But when you think about it, who would want Kovy? Oh right, nobody...Stuck with him for another two years...Or unless he blesses us with and abrupt retirement. This was Gainey's only mistake in my opinion. And it's costly. Get rid of Ribs too. And get us a first first line center and move Saku to second where he belongs.... (oh, hersey, I know, I said it...) And no, this isn't an end of the season, doom-and-gloom lament, just the (my perceived, anyway) truth.

I find it fascinating how all across the internet on Habs message boards, this topic is constantly being argued and for a good reason. And why? He is paid a hefty sum but does not play to the level of his salary. His defenders argue, 'bad defense,' 'breezer screwed up' 'rivet screwed up' 'management has never surrounded him with a team.' Others just love to indulge (unconsciously for the most part) the legacy of great Montreal Canadiens French goaltenders. Which, at this point in Theo's career, he has not lived up too---and to be honest, never will. Ever since 01-02 when he collected all his shiny trophies, he has not produced to those standards. He was immediately over-paid by the prior administration who catered more to public opinion than the solidity of the team. We all saw it this summer in his contract demands, the guy thinks he is BIG GAME, but all he is doing his collecting his paycheck, getting hot ass, free parties. Simply put, to me, he is resting on his laurels from the 01-02 season. Would everyone would be complaing if he made 2.5, 3 mil a year? Probably not. But I think its just frustrating for everyone to see what skill this guy has, what he is capable of, the potential he had, but just hasn't come together. I am very ambivalent of Theodore. He has the skill, he saves this team from losses, but secondly, the Boston series in the last play-offs to me is a microcosm of his career. At his age, he has matured as a player and that is what scares me. This is Theo. When he plays to his ful potential, he is quite possibly THE BEST in the league. But his lapses are horrendous for player of his salary and calibre. He is just too inconsistent, and appears to lack full focus. Everyone will debate this until this guy wins a Cup. Is he this team's best chance? Yes. And unforunately, no matter how fair it is or not, until he does that, this argument will never end. [Edited on 2005/11/19 by joliat] [Edited on 2005/11/19 by joliat]

I've been a long-time lurker and fan of this site for many years as it seems to be one of the few habs sites of some intellect, articles, topics, forum members. But I know as a collective fan base, we Canadiens fans are an impatient, critical bunch and this fast start has only heightened our cup lust and paranoia of the team. But I think this year, rather than in previous years, this team has some real chemistry and heart. I think this year, for Gainey, is the year where he sees if these young guys like Ryder and Ribs and the rooks like Pergy, Pleks, Higgins are either for real or not. Especially for Ryder and Ribs who really have the potential to be not just the present but the future for the team---all you loud grumbling detractors out there, I know that hurts. So I don't think bringing on a guy like Marchant will happen as all it does is harm the development of our younger guys. I think the team has real talent on the forward front, the D of course is another story and I think this will be the only real possible change during the season. I think Ribs is playing well. Is he on his game on all the time? No. Does he seem to be maturing on the ice? From all the games I've seen and heard, he appears to be. He, like most of this team is fairly young and it will take some time---whether everyone likes it or not. :hlogo: [Edited on 2005/11/17 by joliat] [Edited on 2005/11/17 by joliat]