Lucas Aykroyd's Writing Samples
Why Habs won't repeat
by Lucas Aykroyd
Since the Montreal Canadiens won the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup in 1993, their fans have become insufferable. In fact, they have lost touch with reality, as most Vancouver Canucks supporters will affirm (myself among them).
There is a running debate in Victoria on the relative merits of the Habs versus the Canucks, the two best-loved teams in this area. But don't worry, this is not a propaganda piece. I come to bury the Canadiens, not to praise the Canucks. To prove this, I promise not to use the word "Canucks" here again.
Montreal fans have always had a flair for unmitigated arrogance. For example, last June some were heard to say that the Canadiens--in light of their long tradition--deserved to win the Cup because it was the NHL's centennial year. Why will these people be disappointed in 1994? Have a look at their team.
Granted, Patrick Roy is a talented goalie. Since arriving in 1986, he has been the key to Montreal's success. While his butterfly style leaves him vulnerable up high, he has consistently posted good numbers.
However, it is questionable to claim Roy is the top netminder in the world. His Vezina trophies have often come at the expense of other deserving goalies who play in cities ignored by the influential Eastern media. Please recall how Kirk McLean was snubbed in 1991-92 after winning more games than Roy.
By some peculiar coincidence, Grant Fuhr and Bill Ranford of the Edmonton Oilers got the nod over Roy in the last two Canada Cups.
Also, Habs fans like to forget that Roy bore considerable responsibility for Montreal's three straight second-round exits before 1993, giving up goals at the wrong time. He was named playoff MVP last year for a steady effort against second, third and fourth-place teams. Had Pittsburgh advanced in last year's playoffs, it would have been interesting to see if Roy could ward off the more potent Penguins' attack. He is a good goalie, but he can't do it all by himself.
There is no need to recount the embarrassing story of Montreal's back-up goaltending. Don't expect new acquisition Ron Tugnutt to be the answer. Wherever he has played, Tugnutt's goals-against average has hovered near 4.00. Even Andre "Red Light" Racicot might be able to challenge those numbers, except for the fact that the Montreal defense refuses to play for anyone except Roy.
The Canadiens' blueline corps is supposed to be "developing," but apparently the growing pains have lasted longer than expected. Montreal's defencemen do play all right as a unit. However, their work is not particularly remarkable. Six or seven teams have better defensive records than Montreal.
There is also a lack of outstanding individuals. Mathieu Schneider, once heralded as the next Chris Chelios, will not live up to that potential and the Habs power play will continue to suffer accordingly. Perhaps general manager Serge Savard now regrets giving away Jyrki Lumme for a second-round pick (Craig Darby). In any case, his defense corps will likely be tested more severely this spring than they were in 1993.
That brings us to Montreal's forwards. It is hard to imagine a more pedestrian bunch. They don't score that much, and when they do, it's never pretty. What has happened to the Flying Frenchmen of old? They got old, and Guy Lafleur's spirit only resurfaced lately, in the form of Pavel Bure.
Guys like Kirk Muller and Brian Bellows know that they are more effective when they go mucking for rebounds, so you can't blame them. However, it's boring to watch. It seems like Montreal scores 95% of its goals within in a 10-foot radius.
Unfortunately, the one player who shows some flash and jump, Oleg Petrov, is used little. Everybody else subscribes to the dump-it-in, dump-it-out philosophy. Thus, there is a certain malicious pleasure in watching Montreal lose to expansion teams. The Florida Panthers have beaten the Canadiens at their own game all year, and there is no reason to suspect this pattern will be broken should the two clubs meet in post-season action.
Face it, Hab fans. You won't be champions in 1994. The 1940-cursed New York Rangers have a better chance than you do.
That was pretty objective, I think.
GO CANU...whoops.
This column originally appeared in the Victoria Times Colonist on March 13, 1994.
