I did a bit of research and the following 3 players are the only ones the Habs of old acquired via the so called "monopoly" on Quebec players: Plasse Houle Tardif Hardly dynasty makers alone or together. It's a anglo leaf perpetuated myth, nothing more.
LOL - c'mon, man. "People who I have interviewed on this very topic include, Sam Pollock, Scotty Bowman, Dick Irvin, Marcel Pronovost, Rod Gilbert, Yvan Cournoyer and numerous others..." Notice the trend on these people? All but one (Rod Gilbert) were linked to the Habs at one point in their career. Again, you don't see a bias there? I know that the Leafs have gone through a lot of mismangement via GMs, coaches and owners for the past 40+ years. That wasn't the issue at hand in my point - it's arguing the point that the Habs did have a literal monopoly on the Quebec market. Scan the rosters in that era - how many other teams had major Francophone stars in their lineups? How many junior teams in Quebec were sponsored by the other 5 clubs in that era? Also, your comparison of the Leafs and the Pens is laughable. Of course the Pens are lightyears ahead of the Leafs in terms of talent. The Leafs didnt have the benefit of drafting 5th (Whitney), 1st (Fleury), 2nd (Malkin), 1st (Crosby) and 2nd (Staal) in 5 consecutive drafts. Even with their spotty draft record over the years the Leafs couldn't screw that one up. This is to be continued
...so how do you account for players like Maurice Richard, Geoffrion, Pocket Rocket, Beliveau, Plante, etc.? All these players were part of junior clubs sponsored by the Habs. I understand that that's how things were run at the time but I could bet you anything that if these junior clubs based in Quebec were offered more money by any of the other 5 clubs for their exclusive rights they would be rebuffed...
Anyway, you're a Leaf fan - a smart guy - but unable to understand certain things. You definitely should come down to 'sauga for one of the Habs vs. Leaf games this season.
WARNING:Chicago Blackhawks' Adam Burish gets Throat Slash [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Yne558Zlk&feature=popular"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Yne558Zlk&feature=popular[/ame] His beard protected him!
Well....the Habs stunk out the joint this season and went down like sacks of potatoes in the 1st round to the Bruins. At least they made the playoffs unlike a certain team in the "center of the universe" I hate to say this but the Leafs finally have competent people in place. Brian Burke talks too much garbage in the media but he is aggressive and is no nonsense. Leafs are finally on the right path. When they win the Cup in about 2-3 years I'm gonna have to leave the country! Anyways, it has been a very exciting playoffs so far. Sad to see my team burn out so quickly and put on a pathetic display.
Matt Cooke will not be suspended for his hit on Marc Savard. Agree or Disagree? I thought it was an intentional elbow to the head. It was nasty! WATCH THIS: Gm's propose rule change on hits to head http://espn.go.com/nhl/blog/_/name/nhl/id/4983164/hits-proposal-needs-more-teeth Players Speak Out: Shelden Souray: Vincent LeCavalier:
Here's The HIT: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_F7LEZ78_o"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_F7LEZ78_o[/ame]
matt cooke's hit was bad but i see a worrying trend where some people want to eliminate the physicality of the game. The reaction to Andrei Kostitsyn's hit this weekend, for example, was overblown. I also like fighting in the game and would hate to see it go...
Portuguese talent, John Tavares , had a 5 point night the other day, 2 goals & 3 assists. His team sucks but he's trying to make them look good. Is it too early to say he's the best portuguese prospect EVER?? LOL
Ottawa over Pitts - Big Upset! Colorado over SJ - LMAO! Phoenix over Detroit - I pick Phoenix to win in six
EEK! Luongo let in three goals in one period. He did not look good. LA is a young team poised to win the series. How good is luso canadian Drew Doughty?? very good. Los Angeles crowd was off the chain. He knew bunch of celebs and posers root for any team.
They're both history. Seriously...Sharks are a complete disapointment. Even if they somehow get out of this hole I still have no confidence.
They've been the Bruins of the West the over the past couple years. I always liked the Sharks for the west because of McLaren and Thornton. I hope the Bruins surprise some people this year.
The top three players have Zero points. WTF?? How about Crosby? 4 points already, including two goals last night. Ovie, Who??