Was this the darkest day in Habs history?

[bsl]

That was the day I became a die hard Habs fan. I was listening to that game on the radio in Po Dunk Alberta as a little boy. Still remember it, I cried when the game ended.

Darkest days for me back then we’re dryden taking time off and philly cups. I was just a kid but after the huge cup win with Dryden and then not having him, and watching the frigging flyers win two in a row was depressing as hell. The day I read Dryden was coming back was great.

And then I got to see 4 in a row as a teenager. And live games. It was perfection.

 

[dinodebino]

To comment on this, who wouldve thought an American businessman would care more about our franchise than a born and raised quebecer with 100 years of family history behind him.

Not sure he cares more. George was an american businessman, who did good here, but did it for one reason: to sell high one day. He invested in the team, sure. Rebuilt its image (bonjour Pierre Boivin et Ray Lalonde).

Le succès du Canadien réside dans le contrôle de sa marque

But he also cashed in IMMEDIATELY on the arena's name rights because he needed the cash in order to maintain a solid cashflow...and invest the money elsewhere. I mean, Uncle George was cool and all, and I love him for stabilizing the franchise, but you guys need to realize that he had cashflow issues in his business ventures at the time. Also, the Habs were sold to him for a fraction of its worth. He made it good at a time where Quebec Inc. was just vomiting on anything sports related in this province (bonjour Claude Brochu).

He had a super quality: he had confidence in the people he hired. And he knew how to hire good soldiers. I mean, Boivin and Lalonde did wonders to the team, image-wise. Aldo Giampolo was a GIANT for the evenko brand. The Bell Centre was a fun place to be.

So, back to the comment about who cares more: I believe Molson cares a lot. He just can't keep himself out of the way, like Uncle George used to do. And that's his downfall. He's meddling in every division of his Groupe CH: arena, marketing-event company (evenko), condos (galore), hockey team (prez), and the rest. You can't do that in business these days. That's 'The old fashion way'.

 

[WinterLion]

How can you say such thing about the owner who got the Habs back into a credible and proud franchise?

How can anyone take your opinion seriously after such erroneous statement.

This team is such a mess because of the idiots who have been running the team for almost a decade, no one else.

Gillette left the team while it was going up, not while the ship was burning.

Did you just ask how anyone can take me seriously?? Really... did you even take the time to listen to my point or understand it? And because I have a different opinion on one thing, nobody can take me seriously. Alright Seb, maybe you should take a deep breath man. It's just an opinion and last I checked the reason we come here is to share them. Why don't you try explaining why you think Gillette was a great owner instead of just insulting me for not agreeing with you. If I hadn't seen you around here for 12 or so years I would have thought you were a child.

 

[bsl]

View attachment 106035

Yeah that was f***ing bad. Really bad. Only time in my life saw Habs lose a scf. And at home.

 

[WinterLion]

Not sure he cares more. George was an american businessman, who did good here, but did it for one reason: to sell high one day. He invested in the team, sure. Rebuilt its image (bonjour Pierre Boivin et Ray Lalonde).

Le succès du Canadien réside dans le contrôle de sa marque

But he also cashed in IMMEDIATELY on the arena's name rights because he needed the cash in order to maintain a solid cashflow...and invest the money elsewhere. I mean, Uncle George was cool and all, and I love him for stabilizing the franchise, but you guys need to realize that he had cashflow issues in his business ventures at the time. Also, the Habs were sold to him for a fraction of its worth. He made it good at a time where Quebec Inc. was just vomiting on anything sports related in this province (bonjour Claude Brochu).

He had a super quality: he had confidence in the people he hired. And he knew how to hire good soldiers. I mean, Boivin and Lalonde did wonders to the team, image-wise. Aldo Giampolo was a GIANT for the evenko brand. The Bell Centre was a fun place to be.

So, back to the comment about who cares more: I believe Molson cares a lot. He just can't keep himself out of the way, like Uncle George used to do. And that's his downfall. He's meddling in every division of his Groupe CH: arena, marketing-event company (evenko), condos (galore), hockey team (prez), and the rest. You can't do that in business these days. That's 'The old fashion way'.

Nice post. Gillette did a lot of great things for the team, but they were all with the goal of building equity. He hired Gainey and together they made the team respectable. When he bought the team it was in terrible shape and way behind the times. Gillette however did not care about building a solid foundation for the long term future of the hockey operations. He wanted the team to be competitive even though they probably should have rebuilt. Unfortunately the repercussions of that is still being felt.

McDonough was traded away. Souray, Koivu, Kovalev, Hamrlik etc... were not traded and were eventually lost for nothing. Players were picked up like Lang & Tanguay to help boost a team that lacked a strong pipeline of talent. This team would be in MUCH better shape had ownership accepted the natural decline of the hockey team instead of propping up mediocre teams to build equity.

I don't blame Gillette. He did what any business person would do. I got my season ticktes when nobody wanted them. I literally called up and bought them at a big discount with no waiting. In a few years Gilette had built the hype machine and tickets were selling. He did a good job at that. Now you can't get tickets and beer costs 15$...

 

[Seb]

Did you just ask how anyone can take me seriously?? Really... did you even take the time to listen to my point or understand it? And because I have a different opinion on one thing, nobody can take me seriously. Alright Seb, maybe you should take a deep breath man. It's just an opinion and last I checked the reason we come here is to share them. Why don't you try explaining why you think Gillette was a great owner instead of just insulting me for not agreeing with you. If I hadn't seen you around here for 12 or so years I would have thought you were a child.

What points were there for me to sit and listen?! You made one remark that stated that Gillette is a big part of why the Habs are in deep shit now.

That's not an opinion, that's stating a fact and it's entirely wrong. If you wanted us to debate about your so called different opinion you would've said : I believe the Habs are now in big trouble because x and y reason.

Call me a child I couldn't care less. you might not like Gillette for whatever he represents and how he cashed in on his investment but there's absolutely no serious way you can say he's the reason the Habs are crappy now and you need to be called out on this.

There's a damn limit on how anyone can try and deflect the problems from Molson and Bergevin.

 

[Tyson]

When I was a kid when Dryden sat out a year over a contract dispute. That sucked for a 13 year old kid!

 

[WinterLion]

What points were there for me to sit and listen?! You made one remark that stated that Gillette is a big part of why the Habs are in deep **** now.

That's not an opinion, that's stating a fact and it's entirely wrong. If you wanted us to debate about your so called different opinion you would've said : I believe the Habs are now in big trouble because x and y reason.

Call me a child I couldn't care less. you might not like Gillette for whatever he represents and how he cashed in on his investment but there's absolutely no serious way you can say he's the reason the Habs are crappy now and you need to be called out on this.

There's a damn limit on how anyone can try and deflect the problems from Molson and Bergevin.

Seb, I don't think you know the difference between opinion and fact. I wrote something in the post above. If you want to talk about it and tell me why you feel differently I'd be happy to hear your opinions. I think the problem with many of the people here is that they don't realize how deep the problems are. They really think that this team would be better if they just had Radulov & Markov. The problems are much deeper and they go way back. This doesn't excuse Molson or Bergevin, you can still criticize them for the things they are responsible for. I just think that it's a tad simplistic.

 

[Seb]

Seb, I don't think you know the difference between opinion and fact. I wrote something in the post above. If you want to talk about it and tell me why you feel differently I'd be happy to hear your opinions. I think the problem with many of the people here is that they don't realize how deep the problems are. They really think that this team would be better if they just had Radulov & Markov. The problems are much deeper and they go way back. This doesn't excuse Molson or Bergevin, you can still criticize them for the things they are responsible for. I just think that it's a tad simplistic.

Pretty sure it's the other way around and I made sure to explain it in my post.

I'm not going to imply Gillette was perfect and the GMs he hired were competent. But he took the Habs while they were at the bottom and made them a great team.

Meanwhile Molson takes the team while they are competitive and they're now arguably as bad as the Houle era.

So to say Gillette is a big part of why the team is a mess like you said is simply a lie.

Now, I fully believe the problem is Bergevin and his foxhole buddies and can't blame Molson for what they did. Where Molson absolutely deserves to be called out is for keeping these incredibly incompetent people employed for so long while giving his full support. That's insane.

 

[WinterLion]

Pretty sure it's the other way around and I made sure to explain it in my post.

I'm not going to imply Gillette was perfect and the GMs he hired were competent. But he took the Habs while they were at the bottom and made them a great team.

Meanwhile Molson takes the team while they are competitive and they're now arguably as bad as the Houle era.

So to say Gillette is a big part of why the team is a mess like you said is simply a lie.

Now, I fully believe the problem is Bergevin and his foxhole buddies and can't blame Molson for what they did. Where Molson absolutely deserves to be called out is for keeping these incredibly incompetent people employed for so long while giving his full support. That's insane.

Dude I'm sorry, but I think you need to take a deep breath. This isn't personal. I'm allowed to have a different opinion, and that doesn't make me a liar... and my opinion is just that...an opinion. Anyways I don't want to argue with you about semantics. English is obviously not your first language. This is just a hockey forum and we are talking about a hockey team. I understand you are very upset, but I'm just not sure how attacking me is going to help. I still think that the Gillette was bad for the on ice team, even though it was good for many other things. I wrote a long post above explaining why I thought this. I respect that you think it is all Molson and Bergevins fault, most people agree, but I feel that the problem is deeper and goes back longer.

 

[Price is Wright]

Not sure he cares more. George was an american businessman, who did good here, but did it for one reason: to sell high one day. He invested in the team, sure. Rebuilt its image (bonjour Pierre Boivin et Ray Lalonde).

Le succès du Canadien réside dans le contrôle de sa marque

But he also cashed in IMMEDIATELY on the arena's name rights because he needed the cash in order to maintain a solid cashflow...and invest the money elsewhere.

I'll say it again. Give that to me again. Give me an owner who just wants to boost the worth of the team, because after the way Gilette left it, the only way left to make the Canadiens more valuable is to win #25.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

"I think it would be very presumptuous of us to think of ourselves as owners," he said. "I think we are trustees. We hold this franchise in trust for the fans. . . . This is a very unusual community. I think that as long as they sense that we are their partner as opposed to the owner, I think we'll be fine. The day we try to assert to anybody that we own this franchise is the day that we've misread this community."

Most would welcome him back as owner. Molson is pale in comparison.

Thanks for the post.

 

[Seb]

Dude I'm sorry, but I think you need to take a deep breath. This isn't personal. I'm allowed to have a different opinion, and that doesn't make me a liar... and my opinion is just that...an opinion. Anyways I don't want to argue with you about semantics. English is obviously not your first language. This is just a hockey forum and we are talking about a hockey team. I understand you are very upset, but I'm just not sure how attacking me is going to help. I still think that the Gillette was bad for the on ice team, even though it was good for many other things. I wrote a long post above explaining why I thought this. I respect that you think it is all Molson and Bergevins fault, most people agree, but I feel that the problem is deeper and goes back longer.

I've attacked you once in all this by wondering how people can take you seriously after that. Meanwhile you've patronized me three times already by calling me a child, asking me to take a deep breath and mentioning my first language. So spare me your rant.

I never called you a liar, I said the statement that "Gillette is a big part of the reason why this team is such a mess now" is a lie. It's not the truth therefore it's a lie. That doesn't make you a liar, you might very well believe it. But it's still a lie.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I've attacked you once in all this by wondering how people can take you seriously after that. Meanwhile you've patronized me three times already by calling me a child, asking me to take a deep breath and mentioning my first language. So spare me your rant.

I never called you a liar, I said the statement that "Gillette is a big part of the reason why this team is such a mess now" is a lie. It's not the truth therefore it's a lie. That doesn't make you a liar, you might very well believe it. But it's still a lie.

Not that I'm invested in anything here but it's only a lie if he believes it's a lie (see Seinfeld) otherwise it's a mistake. Big difference. A lie is intentional deceit.

 

[Tighthead]

When I was a kid when Dryden sat out a year over a contract dispute. That sucked for a 13 year old kid!

See if you can find the book “Understanding Ken”. Great read. It will hit home.

 

[Seb]

Not that I'm invested in anything here but it's only a lie if he believes it's a lie (see Seinfeld) otherwise it's a mistake. Big difference. A lie is intentional deceit.

I stand corrected then

 

[Tighthead]

I recall an interview with George G when Beliveau died. He came to the memorial and was visibly and earnestly grieving. He developed a friendship with Beliveau and like many, he was overwhelmed by his character.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Gillett has come to realize significance of owning Canadiens
...
"I think it would be very presumptuous of us to think of ourselves as owners," he said. "I think we are trustees. We hold this franchise in trust for the fans. . . . This is a very unusual community. I think that as long as they sense that we are their partner as opposed to the owner, I think we'll be fine. The day we try to assert to anybody that we own this franchise is the day that we've misread this community."

I remember when he took over I thought it would turn out to be the darkest day but he turned out to be a pretty good owner and he holds my respect. This quote in particular shows that he gets it.

 

[admiralcadillac]

But I will say that when it comes to these boards I am finding them much more enjoyable. Instead of everyone pushing different agendas and attacking people it seems we have all conceded this team and everything to do with it is in a bad place. So with that alot more mutual hockey talk happens on these boards and I like it.

For example your thread last year would already have 3 responses saying "Oh here we go with the doom and gloom, it's not that bad, go be a fan of another team"

Most of those peoplehave just left because of how much more unbearable these boards have gotten

 

[Habs100]

To comment on this, who wouldve thought an American businessman would care more about our franchise than a born and raised quebecer with 100 years of family history behind him.

Gillette was in it for the money. Molson wants the team to win, he just doesn't know what he's doing.

 

[Habs100]

I remember when he took over I thought it would turn out to be the darkest day but he turned out to be a pretty good owner and he holds my respect. This quote in particular shows that he gets it.

He does get it. But nonetheless it was always a transaction for him. Buy low, sell high.

But Molson is even worse. He's like Jerry Jones in that he uses the team as his toy. Wouldn't it be fun to be president of the Canadiens. I'll get 1 year of training from Pierre Boivin, that'll get me qualified. It will be so much fun, woohoo! Boivin had years of experience in the business world, and he still failed.

Geoff, please hire someone who's qualified as president. Your decision to keep Bergevin on is atrocious.

 

[WinterLion]

I've attacked you once in all this by wondering how people can take you seriously after that. Meanwhile you've patronized me three times already by calling me a child, asking me to take a deep breath and mentioning my first language. So spare me your rant.

I never called you a liar, I said the statement that "Gillette is a big part of the reason why this team is such a mess now" is a lie. It's not the truth therefore it's a lie. That doesn't make you a liar, you might very well believe it. But it's still a lie.

I'm sorry if you felt patronized Seb. It wasn't my intention. In fact I was trying to let you know that I accept that your initial attack was more of a communication error. I was just trying to bring the temperature down. Just for future reference, a lie entails that I know the truth and deliberately mislead someone... but in this case I'm just an ignorant clown . Also almost everything stated on these boards is opinion. A fact would need to have clear evidence proving it to be true. I think what you meant is that I made the statement seem like a fact by being overly pigheaded about it! A lot of things get said around here as if they are facts, but very few actually are. It's annoying and I agree that I have strong opinions that can sound harsh, so sorry about that...but believe me they are just opinions and I am ready to listen to informed opinions to the contrary.

In the end I think we both agree that Gillette had a mostly positive impact on the organization. What we disagree on is how much of an impact the hockey decisions back then affect what is going on now.

 

[Seb]

I'm sorry if you felt patronized Seb. It wasn't my intention. In fact I was trying to let you know that I accept that your initial attack was more of a communication error. I was just trying to bring the temperature down. Just for future reference, a lie entails that I know the truth and deliberately mislead someone... but in this case I'm just an ignorant clown . Also almost everything stated on these boards is opinion. A fact would need to have clear evidence proving it to be true. I think what you meant is that I made the statement seem like a fact by being overly pigheaded about it! A lot of things get said around here as if they are facts, but very few actually are. It's annoying and I agree that I have strong opinions that can sound harsh, so sorry about that...but believe me they are just opinions and I am ready to listen to informed opinions to the contrary.

In the end I think we both agree that Gillette had a mostly positive impact on the organization. What we disagree on is how much of an impact the hockey decisions back then affect what is going on now.

It's all good and we can agree on that

 

[Darz]

Gillette wasn't a great owner. Don't think he was a bad owner...but honestly I'm happier with Molson as owner....I just wish he wasn't team president.

As far as darkest day in habs history, its gotta be the day Serge Savard and Jacques Demers were fired as GM and coach and Houle and Tremblay were brought in.
Dumb...dumb...dumb

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

He does get it. But nonetheless it was always a transaction for him. Buy low, sell high.

But Molson is even worse. He's like Jerry Jones in that he uses the team as his toy. Wouldn't it be fun to be president of the Canadiens. I'll get 1 year of training from Pierre Boivin, that'll get me qualified. It will be so much fun, woohoo! Boivin had years of experience in the business world, and he still failed.

Geoff, please hire someone who's qualified as president. Your decision to keep Bergevin on is atrocious.

Gillette failed? He took an irrelevant team in financial straits and made them relevant again all the while turning it into a money making machine. He brought the fanbase back into the fold.

The first step to any team building is having the money to spend on players. You can't do that if your team isn't raking in the $. He had the team for about a decade. Considering where the team was at when he bought it, saying he failed is ridiculous.

If you say he failed because he didnt win a cup, that's being dismissive of what he accomplished and ommits the context of what he had to work with when he came in.

Molson has done the total opposite. He destroyed the team, made his organization a laughing stock and alienated a great part of the fanbase. That's a fail.