The last time Vincent Lecavalier was in Montreal, he dressed in the visitors dressing room in the Bell Centre, this time around he got a chance to dress in the Canadiens dressing room as the Eastern conference is the home team at this year's All-Star Game. With the rumours about his ''possible'' moving from Tampa Bay, Montreal is one of the cities mentionned in the so called rumour mill. So dressing in the mystical room that is the Canadiens, with all the history, the hall of famers and plus having to read the famous quote from Flanders field that the late former Canadiens coach Dick Irvin sr had painted on the wall in the old Forum '' From failing hands we throw the torch, be it yours to hold it high.'' As if that was not enough, you step on to the ice, and receive a standing ovation by the Montreal faithful and hopeful fans. Pierre McGuire from TSN, mentionned last night, that it's not Bob Gainey that will feel the pressure on making a deal to bring Lecavalier to Montreal, but it would be George Gillett jr that would feel the heat from the fans. As we all know, the Canadiens owner does not hide in his corporate box, he has a seat at ice level among the fans. The question is, would Gillett buckle under the pressure and almost order Bob Gainey to bring Lecavalier to Montreal ?
I doubt it, as he likes the team that Gainey has put on the ice. Don't forget that Gillett had to do some arm twisting to get Bob Gainey to accept the job in the first place, so it would make no sense for him to turn around and ask his General Manager to gut five years of hard work for one player. Sorry Habs fans, it won't happen that way anyways. Be assured that if there is a way to bring him to Montreal, Gainey, Gillett, Boivin and the CBA specialist, Julien Brisebois, will sit down and discuss it. One thing If I'm George Gillett, I'm crossing my fingers that his team makes it at least to the conference final, if ever by any bad luck, the Habs get knocked out in the initial round, you will hear about it around the league. As a Canadiens fan myself, I would like to see Vinny in a Montreal jersey, but not at any cost. So don't hold your breath on seeing Lecavalier in a Bleu, Blanc et Rouge jersey anytime soon.
The Florida Panthers Gm, Jacques Martin, has one awesome task on his hands with the Bouwmeester situation and how to handle it. It's pretty clear, that the star defenseman has no intention on wanting to stay on past this season, he would like to test the UFA market this summer. With little more than a month to go before the tradedeadline, and his team at the present moment in a possibility of making the Playoffs, he will hang on to his star player. If Martin is in the same position come the deadline, that's where the decision he makes could be difficult. Bouwmeester's trade value will be sky high, if he trades him, he is telling the fans, I'm tanking the season, and putting his job on the line. If he keeps him, in hopes of trading him at the draft in Montreal in June, he knows he won't get the same return as he would if he moves him at the deadline. Another situation, he keeps him at the deadline, and the Panthers miss the playoffs in the last weekend of the season,the fans will be calling for him to be fired. A real catch 22 situation, damn if you do, and same if you don't. Being an NHL Gm is not as easy it's led on to be. Good luck Jacques, I'm glad I'm not in your shoes.
A little side note of humour, the notorious Mr. Eklund on his site, has Bouwmeester going to the Leafs, and puts it in the (e4) category. Check it out.
I'm hoping and crossing my fingers, that I can make more regular entries to this blog from now until the end of the season.Health and personal reasons have kept me from doing so. I enjoy writing, espacially about hockey, and I have missed that, so please bare with me, as I try to give new life to this blog.
Since it's the Canadiens centenial year, the All-Star game and draft will be held in the city of '' Les Glorieux'' What better time for a little quiz. Not everyone knows about this, let's see if you can get it. Two well known Canadiens Hall of Famers once rode on a ski-doo to get to a game at the Montreal Forum, can you name those Hall of Famers ? A litlle hint, one of them is still in hockey. The answer on my next entry.
Good Luck !
A little side note of humour, the notorious Mr. Eklund on his site, has Bouwmeester going to the Leafs, and puts it in the (e4) category. Check it out.
I'm hoping and crossing my fingers, that I can make more regular entries to this blog from now until the end of the season.Health and personal reasons have kept me from doing so. I enjoy writing, espacially about hockey, and I have missed that, so please bare with me, as I try to give new life to this blog.
Since it's the Canadiens centenial year, the All-Star game and draft will be held in the city of '' Les Glorieux'' What better time for a little quiz. Not everyone knows about this, let's see if you can get it. Two well known Canadiens Hall of Famers once rode on a ski-doo to get to a game at the Montreal Forum, can you name those Hall of Famers ? A litlle hint, one of them is still in hockey. The answer on my next entry.
Good Luck !
