BrownSugarl Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 An open letter to the Montreal Canadiens, 2008-2009 Edition With the 2008-2009 (post-) season now at an (unfortunately early) end, I'd like to say a few things. I am not going to gripe and moan about the past, but am looking to 09-10. I feel this could be a place for calm, honest thoughts to be collected and discussed. I did a letter like this last year, following the R.J. Umberger-induced golf season. While the original thread is still out there in the archives, I thought I would write a new one for this season. I plan on doing this every year, just for the heck of it. Anyway... To The Team: Habs, meet my friend Murphy. He wrote a bunch of "laws" a few years back, and unfortunately, you got slapped silly by him this season. Feel free to send BGL after him over the summer; no code required. Injuries to, well, damn near everyone at one point screwed up any chance of building on any chemistry that may have formed in the first half, when you were holding your own quite well. The French media blindsided you with allegations of too much partying, hanging out with Russian gangsters, clubbing baby seals, etc. The marketing department (more on them later!) was pushing an endless dog-and-pony show on you when you were trying to win games, the powerplay didn't click, the coach got canned, and you went bowling. That was all a bad dream, and it's time to wake up. I know it, you know it, and Montreal knows it. You don't have to win the Cup next year, but you have to look like you can. That means a minimum of 5,160 minutes of hard work. That's 86 60-minute games, enough to get you through the first round. To The Marketing Department: (Note: I may go a little off the handle here; please bear with me) In the delicate, succinct words of Donald Trump, YOU'RE FIRED. All of you. You will be replaced my 12-year old nephew. He knows that it's about hockey. You know, that game where people skate around, hit each other, and shoot the little round thing into a net? It is not about seizure-inducing sweaters, $200 bricks, endless pre-game ceremonies, all-star games, drafts, and other assorted nonsense. On top of that all that, this monster you created resulted in higher-than-comprehensible expectations for the team. The marketing department does not ordain who wins games, playoff series, and Stanley Cups. If you still insist on hawking this ***** at us next year, fine, but keep it off the ice. The guys have better things to do than sell your demented image of the Centennial. Marketing the Canadiens is easy. All you had to do was slap the "100" logo on the jerseys and leave it at that. Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be. To Carey Price: This may upset a few people here at the Forum, but I'm giving you a mulligan this year. Last year, you capped off winning the World Juniors and Calder Cup with a full season (minus a week or two in Hamilton) with a 2nd round exit. All in all, not to shabby, kid. But you let it get to your head. You can be beaten, you are not invulnerable, despite the fact that someone (I still don't know who) crowned you "The Future of the Montreal Canadiens." Cam Ward won a Cup in '06 and stunk in '07. The sophmore slump is not a myth. Go back out to BC, put those 20 lbs back on, preferably muscle weight, and come back stronger and more mature next year. You may very well be the future of this franchise, but keep your head in the here and now. To Coaches Guy Carbonneau & Bob Gainey: From Adams finalist to 2-year paid vacation, we'll miss you Guy. You had your moments, that's for sure. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours. Coach Bob, you did what you could with what you had to work with. Hopefully, you won't be in this position next year. To GM Bob Gainey: GM Bob, I hope you are still here next year. Overall, you are one of the better GM's out there. I think you should maybe take a few more risks though, especially around trade deadline time. Sign those you need to sign and effectively develop those you need to develop (not going to mention names). I think there's a good chance we can rebound from this quite well. Hire the best available coach, even if they don't speak French. I don't care if he only speaks Swahili, as long as he can win! If the media don't like it, too bad. Let them write all they want, your job is to build a team to win games. Oh, and one more thing, we need a star. I don't care if it's Tampa #4 or anyone else, but we need a star. To the Fans: Keep it loud, but keep it real. Understand that there are 29 other teams out there who want the Cup as much as you do, if not more. We've been spoiled by 24 previous Cups, but remember that we've only got 6 since 1976. More teams means less chances. Oh, and respect the anthems, please. Thank you. And finally, to everyone here at The Forum: Thanks again for another fun year of rants, raves, ups, downs, arguments, agreements, polls, questions, answers, and other assorted conversations. If nothing else, this season was not a bore. Now that I live in a civilized area, I get Centre Ice, Versus and NHL Network, so I've seen more Habs games this year than I ever have, and you were all here to talk about it. I'll be in and out around here over the summer, but I'll still be here, Waiting for Cup 25... GO HABS GO!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kronixx Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Well said my friend well said i have to say my favorite post of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marathon.Man Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kubby31 Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 An open letter to the Montreal Canadiens, 2008-2009 Edition With the 2008-2009 (post-) season now at an (unfortunately early) end, I'd like to say a few things. I am not going to gripe and moan about the past, but am looking to 09-10. I feel this could be a place for calm, honest thoughts to be collected and discussed. I did a letter like this last year, following the R.J. Umberger-induced golf season. While the original thread is still out there in the archives, I thought I would write a new one for this season. I plan on doing this every year, just for the heck of it. Anyway... To The Team: Habs, meet my friend Murphy. He wrote a bunch of "laws" a few years back, and unfortunately, you got slapped silly by him this season. Feel free to send BGL after him over the summer; no code required. Injuries to, well, damn near everyone at one point screwed up any chance of building on any chemistry that may have formed in the first half, when you were holding your own quite well. The French media blindsided you with allegations of too much partying, hanging out with Russian gangsters, clubbing baby seals, etc. The marketing department (more on them later!) was pushing an endless dog-and-pony show on you when you were trying to win games, the powerplay didn't click, the coach got canned, and you went bowling. That was all a bad dream, and it's time to wake up. I know it, you know it, and Montreal knows it. You don't have to win the Cup next year, but you have to look like you can. That means a minimum of 5,160 minutes of hard work. That's 86 60-minute games, enough to get you through the first round. To The Marketing Department: (Note: I may go a little off the handle here; please bear with me) In the delicate, succinct words of Donald Trump, YOU'RE FIRED. All of you. You will be replaced my 12-year old nephew. He knows that it's about hockey. You know, that game where people skate around, hit each other, and shoot the little round thing into a net? It is not about seizure-inducing sweaters, $200 bricks, endless pre-game ceremonies, all-star games, drafts, and other assorted nonsense. On top of that all that, this monster you created resulted in higher-than-comprehensible expectations for the team. The marketing department does not ordain who wins games, playoff series, and Stanley Cups. If you still insist on hawking this ***** at us next year, fine, but keep it off the ice. The guys have better things to do than sell your demented image of the Centennial. Marketing the Canadiens is easy. All you had to do was slap the "100" logo on the jerseys and leave it at that. Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be. To Carey Price: This may upset a few people here at the Forum, but I'm giving you a mulligan this year. Last year, you capped off winning the World Juniors and Calder Cup with a full season (minus a week or two in Hamilton) with a 2nd round exit. All in all, not to shabby, kid. But you let it get to your head. You can be beaten, you are not invulnerable, despite the fact that someone (I still don't know who) crowned you "The Future of the Montreal Canadiens." Cam Ward won a Cup in '06 and stunk in '07. The sophmore slump is not a myth. Go back out to BC, put those 20 lbs back on, preferably muscle weight, and come back stronger and more mature next year. You may very well be the future of this franchise, but keep your head in the here and now. To Coaches Guy Carbonneau & Bob Gainey: From Adams finalist to 2-year paid vacation, we'll miss you Guy. You had your moments, that's for sure. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours. Coach Bob, you did what you could with what you had to work with. Hopefully, you won't be in this position next year. To GM Bob Gainey: GM Bob, I hope you are still here next year. Overall, you are one of the better GM's out there. I think you should maybe take a few more risks though, especially around trade deadline time. Sign those you need to sign and effectively develop those you need to develop (not going to mention names). I think there's a good chance we can rebound from this quite well. Hire the best available coach, even if they don't speak French. I don't care if he only speaks Swahili, as long as he can win! If the media don't like it, too bad. Let them write all they want, your job is to build a team to win games. Oh, and one more thing, we need a star. I don't care if it's Tampa #4 or anyone else, but we need a star. To the Fans: Keep it loud, but keep it real. Understand that there are 29 other teams out there who want the Cup as much as you do, if not more. We've been spoiled by 24 previous Cups, but remember that we've only got 6 since 1976. More teams means less chances. Oh, and respect the anthems, please. Thank you. And finally, to everyone here at The Forum: Thanks again for another fun year of rants, raves, ups, downs, arguments, agreements, polls, questions, answers, and other assorted conversations. If nothing else, this season was not a bore. Now that I live in a civilized area, I get Centre Ice, Versus and NHL Network, so I've seen more Habs games this year than I ever have, and you were all here to talk about it. I'll be in and out around here over the summer, but I'll still be here, Waiting for Cup 25... GO HABS GO!!! Righttttttt on. Good read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreekHockeyCoach Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 An open letter to the Montreal Canadiens, 2008-2009 Edition With the 2008-2009 (post-) season now at an (unfortunately early) end, I'd like to say a few things. I am not going to gripe and moan about the past, but am looking to 09-10. I feel this could be a place for calm, honest thoughts to be collected and discussed. I did a letter like this last year, following the R.J. Umberger-induced golf season. While the original thread is still out there in the archives, I thought I would write a new one for this season. I plan on doing this every year, just for the heck of it. Anyway... To The Team: Habs, meet my friend Murphy. He wrote a bunch of "laws" a few years back, and unfortunately, you got slapped silly by him this season. Feel free to send BGL after him over the summer; no code required. Injuries to, well, damn near everyone at one point screwed up any chance of building on any chemistry that may have formed in the first half, when you were holding your own quite well. The French media blindsided you with allegations of too much partying, hanging out with Russian gangsters, clubbing baby seals, etc. The marketing department (more on them later!) was pushing an endless dog-and-pony show on you when you were trying to win games, the powerplay didn't click, the coach got canned, and you went bowling. That was all a bad dream, and it's time to wake up. I know it, you know it, and Montreal knows it. You don't have to win the Cup next year, but you have to look like you can. That means a minimum of 5,160 minutes of hard work. That's 86 60-minute games, enough to get you through the first round. To The Marketing Department: (Note: I may go a little off the handle here; please bear with me) In the delicate, succinct words of Donald Trump, YOU'RE FIRED. All of you. You will be replaced my 12-year old nephew. He knows that it's about hockey. You know, that game where people skate around, hit each other, and shoot the little round thing into a net? It is not about seizure-inducing sweaters, $200 bricks, endless pre-game ceremonies, all-star games, drafts, and other assorted nonsense. On top of that all that, this monster you created resulted in higher-than-comprehensible expectations for the team. The marketing department does not ordain who wins games, playoff series, and Stanley Cups. If you still insist on hawking this ***** at us next year, fine, but keep it off the ice. The guys have better things to do than sell your demented image of the Centennial. Marketing the Canadiens is easy. All you had to do was slap the "100" logo on the jerseys and leave it at that. Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be. To Carey Price: This may upset a few people here at the Forum, but I'm giving you a mulligan this year. Last year, you capped off winning the World Juniors and Calder Cup with a full season (minus a week or two in Hamilton) with a 2nd round exit. All in all, not to shabby, kid. But you let it get to your head. You can be beaten, you are not invulnerable, despite the fact that someone (I still don't know who) crowned you "The Future of the Montreal Canadiens." Cam Ward won a Cup in '06 and stunk in '07. The sophmore slump is not a myth. Go back out to BC, put those 20 lbs back on, preferably muscle weight, and come back stronger and more mature next year. You may very well be the future of this franchise, but keep your head in the here and now. To Coaches Guy Carbonneau & Bob Gainey: From Adams finalist to 2-year paid vacation, we'll miss you Guy. You had your moments, that's for sure. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours. Coach Bob, you did what you could with what you had to work with. Hopefully, you won't be in this position next year. To GM Bob Gainey: GM Bob, I hope you are still here next year. Overall, you are one of the better GM's out there. I think you should maybe take a few more risks though, especially around trade deadline time. Sign those you need to sign and effectively develop those you need to develop (not going to mention names). I think there's a good chance we can rebound from this quite well. Hire the best available coach, even if they don't speak French. I don't care if he only speaks Swahili, as long as he can win! If the media don't like it, too bad. Let them write all they want, your job is to build a team to win games. Oh, and one more thing, we need a star. I don't care if it's Tampa #4 or anyone else, but we need a star. To the Fans: Keep it loud, but keep it real. Understand that there are 29 other teams out there who want the Cup as much as you do, if not more. We've been spoiled by 24 previous Cups, but remember that we've only got 6 since 1976. More teams means less chances. Oh, and respect the anthems, please. Thank you. And finally, to everyone here at The Forum: Thanks again for another fun year of rants, raves, ups, downs, arguments, agreements, polls, questions, answers, and other assorted conversations. If nothing else, this season was not a bore. Now that I live in a civilized area, I get Centre Ice, Versus and NHL Network, so I've seen more Habs games this year than I ever have, and you were all here to talk about it. I'll be in and out around here over the summer, but I'll still be here, Waiting for Cup 25... GO HABS GO!!! Very well written, witty and humorous at times while capturing the overall essence of how the majority of fans feel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownSugarl Posted April 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 One more... To the impending UFA's: While this was not quite what I expected as far as performance goes in a contract year, I do hope some of you will return for another go around. Everyone who has ever worn the CH has said there's nothing like it, and hopefully you will realize that. You all have great potential no matter what colours you wear. Those of you who return in September will have your chance to prove it. Those who don't will as well, but hopefully not against your former team! Best of luck to all of you in 09-10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs-24 Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 this should be an open letter to Bob to get his friggin act together Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynch_mtl Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Good post. Well Written. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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