BANANAS, IN PYJAMAS, ARE COMING IN OUR ZONE

The Sabres have had our number this year, and unfortunately they’re going to be even harder to beat this time around with the Sabres locker room feeling re-energized. Their acquisition in the trade deadline has paid dividends already with two goals and an assist in his debut, and everyone seems rallied to make the charge during the next five weeks.

The Montreal Canadiens locker room however is not flying high. Why? We just won a game with a convincing third period, and there should be confidence galore with the coaching staff’s and managements vote of confidence in them? Well when you Assistant Captain (Chrissy) answers the goaltender issue with: “uuuhhh….it’s tough….players are used to having that experienced goalie in the room….uuuummmmm….and this is of course a bit weird. But we’ll do our best and work with what we have”

My first reaction to this was [img] http://www.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/3d/9/AAAAAoRDP4MAAAAAAD2Z5w.jpg[/img]

My second reaction to this was [img] http://saminorci.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/jawdrop.gif[/img]

And the third reaction was [img] http://www.1001icons.com/icons/icons1/Emotions_Smile_icon_EMOTICON_ANGRY_2978.jpg[/img]

First error is that you should never express negative sentiment to the media…especially the Monteral media who could potentially turn it into big pile of poo poo. Next problem is at a time when everyone should be feeling good that their future is in their own hands and not a hired gun, should be thankful and extra motivated to do the job. Third of all, as an assistant captain, one should NEVER put down any of your team-mates, especially your number 1 goalie. Indirectly, Higgins gave Price a “meh” vote of confidence, and if I’m Carey Price I’m not happy. My goalie stick may or may not have a close encounter of the face kind during practice. But that’s why I could never be a professional athlete.

Tonight Price, Higgins, Koivu (who wasn’t flattering either) and the rest of the locker room has to get on the horse, play their solid grinding game, and shut down the Buffalo offense. I’m hoping, and am convinced, that the locker room is following Komisarek and Kovalev, who both have expressed positive reflections on the current roster.

Let me finish by touching on the Hossa issue. It serves Ray Shero right that he get punished for over paying a player and taking out all other sensible GM in the league. You may think it’s smart to give that extra and take out everyone else out of the bid, but personally I think giving a nugget of gold for a roll of scotch tape is NEVER a good trade. Now on top of that his roll of scotch tape is out of commission for a while.

Now I have no ill wishes against Hossa (never a good thing when a player gets injured…OK except Tie Domi), and no doubt that he is a wonderfully talented and consistent player. But I find it more than amusing that Yet another overzealous GM has given up so much potential for the future, and now may get his hired guns services for 2-3 weeks. This is even more amusing when one realises Hossa has not signed a long term contract, has not hinted at signing with the Pens, nor can the Pens afford him with Crosby and Malkin, and the rest of the crew. Of course I should be careful when I say that, because with Ray’s current process of thought, this team may sign all these players and hire garbage bags for the defensive core. I know another team that had superb offensive firing power with 2/3 players in the top 20 scoring leaders, but had to give up on defence to afford all of them. The Tampa Bay Lightning are currently last in the league, and as far as I can tell have no aspirations for the near future. They have one cup to show for it, granted, but if Sydney Crosby spends his career in Pittsburgh and hoists Lord Stanley’s Cup only once, than it would have been a career wasted.

Maybe this will be a learning experience for Ray. Perhaps he should call Bob and learn about building a team slowly but surely in a consistent and more importantly SUSTAINABLE fashion.