As I'm sure everyone waits for my Stanley Cup preview here is something to tide you all over. The Montreal Canadiens are the oldest franchise in their sport. They are also the Yankee like organization historically speaking in hockey, having won the most championships by a long shot, 24 Stanley Cup titles. Toronto's 13 (has not won one since 67) and Detroit's 11 are the next closest amount of rings collected over the history of the NHL. However, as this video will describe this once proud franchise now has turned into an organization that sets cars on fire and burns down old mom and pap stores after winning a single playoff series. This is also a fan base that now celebrates losing in 5 games in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Montreal Canadiens may have 24 cups on the shelf but have not been in or won a Stanley Cup Final since 1993. That season saw Montreal pick up its first title since 86', provide the likes of Patrick Roy another ring, and star players like John LeClair and Mathieu Schneider their first and only. Since their bitter divorce with Roy, following that season which saw the head coach ordered not to pull him during a blow out just out of spite to hurt his personal stat line, the Habs have been mediocre at best. Some say this franchise and all Canadian teams for that matter (Vancouver 94, Calgary 04, Edmonton 06, Ottawa 07, have all lost in Cup Finals since Roy left Habs) are now cursed by Mr. Roy. While that may have been remedied a couple years ago, he finally allowed his 33 to be sent to the rafters and retired by the Canadiens, it could also be said maybe he still kept his curse on the franchise in secret. I am not saying Hab fans should not be proud of an 8 seed winning 2 playoff series, winning 2 road game 7's, and eliminating the President's Trophy winner along with the defending Stanley Cup Champions but should the Montreal Canadiens ever be an 8 seed at all? I doubt Lord Stanley himself would have ever thought the darling Canadiens would just barely squeak in the post-season. Will this organization ever get back to the good ol days and their rightful spot on top of the hockey mountain?
No comments:
Post a Comment