Gervais on the Podcast

[Whitesnake]

The one where he's known as the best Equipment Manager in hockey, a title and honor bestowed upon him by people in hockey circles.

Also, there are plenty of behind the scenes folks who were with an organization for 25+ years and no one knows about because well...no one cares lol.

Eddie Palchak was the Montreal Canadiens Equipment Manager for 31 years. Maybe even more legendary than Pierre Gervais.

This past summer there was an Equipment Manger with the Arizona Cardinals who retired after 41 years. I repeat, 41 years.

I agree, not sure what the difference is for Pierre Gervais...except for when you're told your the best at what you do, you think people want to hear what you have to say.

But most Equipment Managers know that they're privilidged to have a certain access to player's daily lives and 99% of them would rather keep that "sanctity" unblemished.

Gervais thought otherwise and that's his right.


Exactly. So what's the point? Just throw more dirt on his name?

Cool. Anything for a few bucks I guess.

You find my opinion strong? Odd.

My original post in this thread just stated that I was looking forward to when his 15 mins of fame were over. I don't have interest in this kind of stuff. I don't need to know what happens in locker rooms to be honest. Who likes who, or who doesn't get along, or who is cheap or who did drugs or who was a humanitarian, etc.

I'm only interested in what happens on the ice.

Not all that surprising. It's the juicy gossip that gets folks talking and the real reason anyone buying his book.

Do you really think people are buying his book to read about how great a guy Saku Koivu was?

Speak for yourself. Unless it's related to what's happening on the ice.

I have zero interests. I don't like gossip and people's perceptions of other people don't mean anything to me. I'm not friends with the players, I just watch them play a sport that entertains me.

It's not that deep.

You don't think that to sometimes know what happens on the ice, you know what happens off it? I mean, it's not in the book, but did you really think Jean Perron was that great of a coach because we won the 1986 cup? It didn't change your mind and was fine to let him go once we learned that they boys actually played disregarding him for the most part? Do we happen to learn because of it while he didn't coach any more? I mean, as far as coaches are concerned....pretty tough to get a complete evaluation of him without having some insides about off-ice preparations as well don't you think? One thing I could have done without in that book is the Niinimma getting his dick out.....that was out of line. Rest? I absolutely see nothing bad about it.

You think Kordic's mentions was to make the book sell more? Pretty sure I've never read or heard that in the promo though.

No people couldn't care less to read about how a guy is great or not. But they probably like to read example of how great or bad a guy is.

Fine with you not being the type of books you read. I mean...no problem with that. But you surely also understand that books like that sell. And that you shouldn't also be surprised to see that it lasts more than 15 minutes because of it.

 

[417]

You don't think that to sometimes know what happens on the ice, you know what happens off it? I mean, it's not in the book, but did you really think Jean Perron was that great of a coach because we won the 1986 cup? It didn't change your mind and was fine to let him go once we learned that they boys actually played disregarding him for the most part? Do we happen to learn because of it while he didn't coach any more? I mean, as far as coaches are concerned....pretty tough to get a complete evaluation of him without having some insides about off-ice preparations as well don't you think?

I was 6 years old when the Habs won the Cup with Perron in 86’ so a very fuzzy memory but one doesn't need to listen to Jean Perron very long to know that he wasn't some great tactician back there.

I don't need Gervais insight to draw that particular conclusion, and really that wasn't exactly a secret.

One thing I could have done without in that book is the Niinimma getting his dick out.....that was out of line. Rest? I absolutely see nothing bad about it.

Yikes lol

But agreed, there's nothing bad about what he's doing. I was just speaking personally, even as a massive Habs fan my entire 41 years on this earth, I have very little use for this kind of insight/opinion.

You think Kordic's mentions was to make the book sell more? Pretty sure I've never read or heard that in the promo though.

Not exclusively the Kordic part...but the juicy stuff is why most people want to buy it. That's just how it is.

I get that it appeals to a lot of Habs fans. The problem is that kind of stuff wears out. Once the novelty wears off and the book promotion appearances dry up...

No people couldn't care less to read about how a guy is great or not. But they probably like to read example of how great or bad a guy is.

Of course, agreed.

Fine with you not being the type of books you read. I mean...no problem with that. But you surely also understand that books like that sell. And that you shouldn't also be surprised to see that it lasts more than 15 minutes because of it.

Sell?

I mean it will find a niche here in this market. But it's not like it's going to be a best-seller must read either.

We have to have the proper scale. If you're a Montreal Canadiens fan of a specific era, this book might appeal to you.

Not sure how much interest outside that spectre that it will generate.

Just like the Royal Bank of Canada crest on the fabled Montreal Canadiens jersey was a tempest in a teapot that I said no one would care about in a few months.

I suspect it will be the same for this book in a few weeks/months.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Bro he takes care of the equipments, not a team. Also yes I had interviews , he was asked about it , nothing to do with an interview lol

I think it's hilarious that you're so quick to judge when you don't even seem to comprehend what the hell you're reading. Bergevin didn't call Gervais to ask about Weber's skills on the ice.

Also, not sure how anyone doesn't walk away from this thinking Gervais is little more than a colossal attention-seeker at this point.

 

[donghabs98]

I was a bit surprised that he decided to publish a book so quickly but overall its his right if he wants to disclose stories and his input from his long career. I appreciate another perspective (particularly one from behind the scenes) about the team. Does it mean his word os gospel? No, everyone will have different opinions on the events/players he said in his book which is natural. He's been pretty upfront about this being his opinion based on what he has seen.

We'll never truly know what goes on behind the scenes but this gives fans something to chew on at least.

 

[417]

So it’s okay for posters to say Bergevin, Therrien, Ducharme etc are scums, assholes, some of the worst human beings that walked the earth.

But to saaayyy Kovalev didn’t like the game and Weber was better for the team… that’s a no no lolll

I've never called them scums, assholes or whatever other insult.

I've criticized their abilities as coaches or executives, but I've never made it personal.

Furthermore, I also didn't say Gervais doesn't have a right to say whatever he wants in a book.

Good for him. I hope he enjoys his time in the sun and the profits were worth it in the end.

 

[Mcdonaldz]

I've never called them scums, assholes or whatever other insult.

I've criticized their abilities as coaches or executives, but I've never made it personal.

Furthermore, I also didn't say Gervais doesn't have a right to say whatever he wants in a book.

Good for him. I hope he enjoys his time in the sun and the profits were worth it in the end.

Wasn’t talking about you I think. I was just pointing out the sensitivity level regarding “poeple I like” and “poeple I don’t like” is REALLY different for some posters

 

[JianYang]

So it’s okay for posters to say Bergevin, Therrien, Ducharme etc are scums, assholes, some of the worst human beings that walked the earth.

But to saaayyy Kovalev didn’t like the game and Weber was better for the team… that’s a no no lolll

Gervais is entitled to his opinion. All I'm saying is his opinion on kovalev doesn't really add up when we look at the facts.

He makes a hockey DVD while playing in the nhl that focuses purely on skill development.

He continues to play in Europe as a player owner after he leaves the nhl. He then goes on to coach a Chinese based KHL team.

That just does not sound like the actions of a guy who doesn't love the game.

I know he has many interests besides hockey, but he continues to pursue obscure hockey roles when he doesn't have to.

 

[calder candidate]

He knows better than you and me for sure. And so far, no players he talked about in his book called him out or said he was a liar.

I think the best think too do in those situations is to ignore it, the more you talk about it or try to deny the more you bring credibility or give it life…

 

[Twisted Sinister]

I've never called them scums, assholes or whatever other insult.

I've criticized their abilities as coaches or executives, but I've never made it personal.

Furthermore, I also didn't say Gervais doesn't have a right to say whatever he wants in a book.

Good for him. I hope he enjoys his time in the sun and the profits were worth it in the end.

I'd go with a broad "incompetent" personally.

 

[calder candidate]

I think that he is entitled to is opinion and to tell is story but that seem like a guy with a chip on is shoulder wanted to get back a the organization after he didn’t get what he wanted and tarnish his own reputation to try to cash in.

 

[MonkeyBusiness]

Wasn’t talking about you I think. I was just pointing out the sensitivity level regarding “poeple I like” and “poeple I don’t like” is REALLY different for some posters

The two scenarios aren't analogous; I never criticized Bergevin, Therrien nor Ducharme on their personalities or launched ad hominem attacks toward them. Criticizing Gervais for this quip is warranted. JianYang has brought up good points in this thread regarding Kovalev. You seem to be creating a false equivalence between dismantling Gervais' opinion and insulting our ex-gm and ex-coaches on a personal level.

 

[Mcdonaldz]

The two scenarios aren't analogous; I never criticized Bergevin, Therrien nor Ducharme on their personalities or launched ad hominem attacks toward them. Criticizing Gervais for this quip is warranted. JianYang has brought up good points in this thread regarding Kovalev. You seem to be creating a false equivalence between dismantling Gervais' opinion and insulting our ex-gm and ex-coaches on a personal level.

If the hat doesn’t fit…

If you don’t understand what I’m saying I don’t feel the need to talk to you … you should’ve tried it

 

[MonkeyBusiness]

If the hat doesn’t fit…

If you don’t understand what I’m saying I don’t feel the need to talk to you … you should’ve tried it

I agree with you that the insults regarding Bergevin and company went too far, and the internet anonymity culture is unprecedented in what you can say without having any repercussions. My point is simply that Gervais deserves criticism for his claims, and that contrary to what many in this thread believe, these statements are simply his own perceptions of player personalities. They're not fact.

Don't get all oversensitive; we're on a message board, we're here to discuss things. Again, I agree with you, but I simply don't think the two scenarios need to be equated. They're two different phenomena.

 

[sheed36]

Gervais still making the rounds. On the latest Raw Knuckles podcast with Nilan today. This interview is 1 hour and 42 minutes long so it's a bit of a lengthy one.

 

[1909]

I think the best think too do in those situations is to ignore it, the more you talk about it or try to deny the more you bring credibility or give it life…

If it would be totally false, some players mentioned in the book would had step up to the plate. Anyway. His book is not as dirty as some might think. Pretty mild overall.

 

[Tyson]

Gervais still making the rounds. On the latest Raw Knuckles podcast with Nilan today. This interview is 1 hour and 42 minutes long so it's a bit of a lengthy one.

Excellent podcast.
I spent some time with Pierre over the years. He treated me well.

 

[CHwest]

Im talking about just trades and he hardly lost any. He’s an idiot overall but not with trades. Weber got injured and subban retired. Doesn’t matter

He hardly won any either, two that I can see. Mostly just shuffled 4th liners or minor leaguers around.

 

[salbutera]

I think that he is entitled to is opinion and to tell is story but that seem like a guy with a chip on is shoulder wanted to get back a the organization after he didn’t get what he wanted and tarnish his own reputation to try to cash in.

Gervais still works for the organization even though he’s retired and is apparently loved by Molson & ownership consortium

 

[calder candidate]

Gervais still works for the organization even though he’s retired and is apparently loved by Molson & ownership consortium

Yes he might still work for the organization but MB wouldn’t renew is contract I don’t have the details but he had requested a other arrangement and was turn down…

 

[admiralcadillac]

This guy's 15 mins of fame can't be over quick enough.

How else do you want to get information on players? I’m not much of a gossip but some of it is interesting.

 

[417]

How else do you want to get information on players? I’m not much of a gossip but some of it is interesting.

I guess that depends on how you define "information".

For myself, i'm not lacking for information on Habs players.

But hearsay, gossip and conjecture? Meh...not really my thing.

 

[admiralcadillac]

I guess that depends on how you define "information".

For myself, i'm not lacking for information on Habs players.

But hearsay, gossip and conjecture? Meh...not really my thing.

Lol

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I guess that depends on how you define "information".

For myself, i'm not lacking for information on Habs players.

But hearsay, gossip and conjecture? Meh...not really my thing.

Says the guy on a message board.

 

[417]

Says the guy on a message board.

I'm here to discuss hockey, specifically about the Montreal Canadiens. Here to discuss the game that was just played, prospect development, trade speculationn etc.

I don't participate in gossip about what happens off the ice or who gets along with whom or who's addicted to what, etc.

But thanks for coming out champ!

 

[Lshap]

Says the guy on a message board.

This particular message board doesn't allow personal shots. There will never be a thread trashing your personality or making fun of something you said. If someone says something you dislike, you get to respond directly to them.

I get the appeal of Gervais' book. It's the same appeal as the National Enquirer, except instead of juicy details about movie stars Gervais is giving us dirt on well-known Habs names. I'm not judging tabloid journalism, but let's not pretend his book is anything but that.