MCeh

From a Mike Johnson article at Canada.com : Johnson has had three 20-goal seasons in his career, but his most impressive stats may be the fact he's plus-32 for his career. He has good speed and is a right-handed shot. That's important because last year, the only Canadiens forward with a right-handed shot was Michael Ryder. [...] Johnson said trades always come as a surprise this is the fourth time he has been traded but that he's happy to be coming to Montreal. "It will be a change in the weather from Phoenix and my wife and I will be shopping for new winter clothes, but Montreal's a great hockey town and I think we're going to have a good team." Johnson said he has an understanding of French, but doesn't speak it very well. But he's hoping to improve and he plans to give his daughters, ages two and four months, a chance to learn the language. "I took it in high school, which was a long time ago, but I'm used to hearing it because I've roomed with Daniel Briere and Denis Gauthier."

After first getting Wang's permission, Garth "I-think-they're-all-overpaid" Snow might allow himself to think the payroll doesn't look good. "Business" is about vigilant cost reduction -- a fire sale could be in the horizon as the Islanders circus ensues.

Conjecture on my part. As profiled right here Savard only joined the Habs in any capacity on July 14, 2000. I got caught up in Gagnon's heavy, pro-québecois scapegoating.

I wonder what his wife thought, if she's not one in the photo'd harem. - - - - - Excerpts from a Sports Illustrated piece on Mr. Snow re:... - players' salaries: "I think they're all overpaid," he said. - his qualifications: "I'm not as inexperienced as you think," said Snow, who will turn 37 later this month. "I've watched a lot of hockey the past few years and probably from the best seat in the house. [...] As sad as it may be, I have a copy of the CBA and I read it in my spare time."

François Gagnon of Cyberpresse purports the Habs are close to hiring André Savard's replacement. Sans Ligne Rouge The "surprise" scout is said to have his ear to ground of Québecois talent -- unlike, Gagnon asserts, André Savard. Picking Eric Chouinard over Simon Gagné in '98, and overlooking Patrice Bergeron in '03 are faults Gagnon cites in the departed assistant general manager.

Based on the gory happenings of March 22, 1989. The event is . - - - - - Perfect For Fans And Sadists Alike Filed under: Sports! — By Jack at 2:12 pm on Monday, July 10, 2006 My good friend and Buffalo native Bart just sent me this link to an ebay auction for one of the most bizarre pieces of sports memorabilia I’ve ever come across. It’s a statue commemorating the most disgustingly freak accident in recent sports history; the night Buffalo Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk had his throat cut by an opposing player's skate (link includes gruesome photo), and nearly died on the ice. Anybody who grew up in Buffalo has this game seared into their memory, whether they were there or not. In fact, when I was visiting Buffalo the summer after my freshman year of college, a man tried to sell me a bootlegged copy of the game in the bathroom of a bar. I politely refused. If I want to see a snuff film, I’ll buy one from one of my trusted snuff film dealers, not some yahoo I just met in some bar’s bathroom. You just can’t trust the quality from those people. The Story of Clint Malarchuk [ubersite] CLINT MALARCHUK SABRES CUSTOM MCFARLANE OLD GOALIE MASK [eBay] - - - - - kukoda.com link

Somewhere close to the Wang-ker/Snow occurrence, that'd be pretty high in the surprise column. It's unfortunate for this thread McGuire doesn't keep an editorial or blog site. I could only find misc. blogspots that trash him.

Just some supplementary background on Garth Snow In Wang's business model, this might represent part of the Christmas bonus. Picture - 1 Picture - 2

It's hard to step back from being a fan, to acknowledge any Habs player might be a flash in the pan -- I agree 100%. Remember the Capitals' Jim Carey? I do have a strong faith in Huet. But to hope for the best and plan for the worst is a sound working philosophy. As Huet establishes his consistency, Aebischer ought to be traded before the winter holidays. The only risk in keeping Abby is the market drying up by that time.

Fat cat Wang wants to "run the Islanders like a business". I'll infer he's transplanted a corporate style his past work demonstrates. Wang wouldn't call it accurate to say that Neil Smith was fired, or that Pat LaFontaine resigned. There was a mere reallocation of senior management's bonus resources.

Pierre Lebrun of the Canadian Press addresses that older notch on Tuckers belt, as well as Peca's attitude toward those who injure: "'In 1997 in Buffalo, Vincent Damphousse (of the Habs) ripped my mouth open with a cross-check and for years all I wanted to do is rip his head off. [ ] But time passes and you lose that. Because I've done it to other people, too. You just can't hold on to grudges. Since then I've got to know Damphousse well and he's a fantastic guy.' And the same has happened with Tucker, although it might be pushing it to say the two have kissed and made up. 'We haven't kissed,' Peca joked at his Air Canada Centre news conference. 'But I've spoken to Darcy on a number of occasions at players' meetings and things of that nature. He's also become pretty good friends with a cousin of mine and we have mutual friends. There's no issue there.'" On the basis of points per game, Allison was one of the most offensively productive Leafs. I remember seeing him contribute a number of times on power play goals against the Habs. What is it about Allison that has him somewhat blacklisted? I might have heard he's an arse in the dressing room.. but is he a defensive liability?

The Canadian entity that vied for ownership of the Penguins has retracted. Hoping to see another NHL franchise in Canada, I was saddened. I fondly recall the Jets and Nordiques. post-gazette.com article "Those behind the Canadian bid, who have been careful to keep their identity secret, had been thought to have ties to Hamilton, Ontario. [...] The [four] remaining bidders are: Toronto native and Hartford businessman Sam Fingold, who has ties to Kansas City and its new arena but has said Plan B might be workable. He is partnered with his father and brother and would buy the team as a family venture. Boston area businessman Lawrence Gottendiener, who has no known partners. He has talked of wanting to keep the Penguins here or move them to Hartford. New York businessman Andrew Murstein, who has lined up a host of local investors, including Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino. Murstein has pledged to keep the team in town. Ohio businessman and Arena Football team owner Jim Renacci, a Ringgold High School graduate who also wants to keep the team here. He has lined up Western Pennsylvania native George Karl, the coach of the Denver Nuggets, among his partners."

The Montreal Gazette

Excellent point. The Islanders' crack'd management looks receptive to plundering.

Ah, it computes now -- merci.

Canoe.ca Link Owner Charles Wanker cited philosophical differences as the reason for Smith's dismissal.

So... do the Long Beach prospects get transfered to the Cyclones? If so, what of the displaced Cyclone players? Which players and personnel fill the void in Long Beach? Could a resident expert shed some light on the logistics?

http://rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/208794.html It's confirmed. Garth Snow, who played 20 games in net last season, is the new GM of the Islanders. I thought you were joking.. As I looked for credentials on Mr. Snow, all I found is he attended the University of Maine. More trivialy at Wikipedia.org: "According to former teammate Mike Peca, Garth Snow is the best trash-talker in the league. 'He's got such a wit and sense of humor like no other. [snow] says things that will cut you without being rude or obnoxious.'

More from Dad at NorthJersey.com: "'I'm hoping that a miracle happens, but I don't foresee it,' Carlos Gomez said Monday. 'So, we'll just go through the process and I'm sure that they're hoping that we lose and everything will be all right.' [...] 'We said from the get-go that if Scott goes to arbitration and gets his contract I guess you would call it 'involuntarily,' then Scott will definitely check out the market,' Carlos Gomez said. Although Carlos Gomez stressed that he and Scott have always had a good relationship with Lamoriello, he said negotiating contracts with him has 'always been like pulling teeth.'" I guess Lomoriello's negociating style matches his look. He dickers.

Sharp words from Dad: "'Time is not on our side. We've pretty much gone where we're going to go as far as negotiations', Carlos Gomez [father and agent] said yesterday. 'We're too far apart to even talk anymore. It is what it is. Scott knows he may end up being traded. It's disappointing, but he just wants to be treated like everyone else.' [...] 'Scott is ready to leave if that is what is necessary,' Carlos Gomez said. 'I think he's going to do well in arbitration. That's the chance the Devils are taking. Only Lou knows what he can or can't do (financially).' 'It has been a marriage made in hell with Scott and the Devils (because of salary squabbles and strained relationships with some coaches), but he wants to stay with the Devils. We want this to work out.'" The Devils reportedly offered Gomez $4 million for '06-'07 season.

Toronto Star Article " [...] Ferguson informed the governors that the organization has $42.8 million committed to salaries, qualifying offers and buyouts for next season, which is $1.2 million under the 2006-07 salary cap of $44 million. That will leave the Leafs only with enough wiggle room to accommodate injuries and/or pick up a player at the trade deadline if they are making a push for the post-season. [...] That means the only player remaining to be signed is centre/winger Matt Stajan and that is expected to be done any day now. Stajan had until Saturday night to accept his one-year qualifying offer, but both sides agreed to extend the deadline." I think Peca's going down the path walked by Joé Juneau and Radek Bonk, both of whom were successfully offensive in their earlier careers. As their offense faded, they then held onto their careers with sound defensive play. Peca posted 9 goals and 23 points in 71 games last year, his NHL worst. As per his defense, the 2-time Selke winner went a surprising minus 4. As a Peca fan, I hope he can turn things around in '06-07. As a biased Habs fanatic first and foremost, I say Peca will prove himself another Leafs goose egg in a prolonged succession.

Craig MacTavish thought Samsonov looked like an accountant. To me he looks like a postpubescent Dennis the Menace. Anyhow... of RDS' "Samsonov Top 5 Career Highlights" montage. I want to make out with gorgeous #1

http://rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/208748.html The Leafs are to announce on Tuesday the signing of Peca to a 1 year, $2.5 million contract.

Bobby Clarke and Simon Gagné are far from a deal.. But taking into account the UFA signing of Sergei Samsonov and our salary cap commitments (not including Ryder's to-be-determined salary), I can safely say Gagné as a Canadien isn't feasible.

Montreal Gazette Article "The Leafs and Peca have been courting each other for well over a week with both camps agreeing Toronto is a good fit for the 11-year NHL centre. The 32-year-old Toronto native, a two-time Selke Trophy winner as the NHL's top defensive forward, makes his off-season home in Buffalo, making Toronto an ideal geographical location. [...] In Toronto, Peca fills one of the voids left by centres Jason Allison and Eric Lindros, the latter signing with Dallas on Monday. Allison, also an unrestricted free agent, isn't expected back with the Leafs." Habs fans should be jeering Ren-face this season.