Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Damphousse out, common sense in

So perhaps Vinny realized that he had no business being in the GM conversation. Today, he announced that he was removing his candidacy for the job. Part of me thinks it's fucking arrogant for the guy to remove himself from a job he was grossly under-qualified for, but the other part of me is thankful because the moronic Habs might have hired him.

For the last few days, the rumors have been flying left right and center. Roy wants the job but with veto power on hockey decisions. Pat Brisson has been approached. Marc Bergevin is interested. It never ends. And thanks to Molson's secret policy, it's going to be like this for a few more weeks. I for one hope they go way outside the box.

In other news, Carey Price has a concussion. This is actually not horrible news. Shut him down for the year, let him get his rest and he'll have plenty of time to reload for next year. There was no point in sending him out there for the last three games. Had this happened in any other season, it would've crippled us.

Tonight we welcome the Lightning and perhaps our next GM in Julien Brisebois. One more loss and we're guaranteed no worse than 28th overall. Go Bolts! Although I still want Pacioretty to score. How about 7-6 Tampa. Everybody happy?

Monday, April 2, 2012

79 down, 3 to go.

Well, this is it. The home stretch. 3 games to go and oh so close to the #2 pick and an 18% chance at #1. I can taste it. The Oilers helped us out last night and finishing 15th in the East seems pretty likely. It sickens me to be so excited to finish last, but it is necessary. No pain no gain. Although we've felt nothing but pain for the last 18 years with this team and have gotten no gain. Interesting...

But overshadowing our chase for last place is now the GM (and coach) search. Let's not kid ourselves. There is no way Cunneyworth is back. And not because he doesn't speak french. Have you ever seen an interim coach who saw his team slide from 9th to 15th come back? Ain't happening. So for the next 2 months, the rumor mill will be working overtime as the list of candidates for the jobs grows. The odd move in all this is the retention of Serge Savard as consiglieri. The guy is 97 years old and 17 years removed from being employed by the team. Is he really the best person to advise a president still wet behind the ears? And to make things even more awkward, he already contradicted his boss by announcing to the world that the next GM will speak french moments after Molson said he would not limit himself to that criteria. Only in Montreal could this shit happen. It seems the Damphousse-Roy tandem has the early edge and I for one am against it.

Roy as coach is ok. They guy has paid his dues in the Q and has undeniable qualities as a leader and motivator. He is a risky choice but nobody can argue his merit. He is also very skilled at ordering his goalies to skate across the ice and lay the smackdown on the opposing netminder that clearly wants nothing to do with it.

But can someone tell me what the hell qualifies Damphousse to be a GM? Because he was a player rep? Because he's a business man? Gimme a break. For once I would like this team to hire someone that other teams would consider. A guy that other teams wish they had. I don't see any offers lined up for Damphousse. There is no way he deserves to be in the drivers seat that fast. Vinny, if you wanna be a GM, go be someone's assistant for a few years and then we'll talk.

Geoff, at this point, I just hope you go with the best guy and not the most popular guy. You have a chance to set the tone to your reign as owner and president. Let everybody know that since you put up the $600M, you can do whatever you want and if the press doesn't like it, they can go cover the Impact.