Recrutes: Hockey scouting from a professional perspective from Grant McCagg and Habs coverage from a 33 year veteran covering the NHL from Brian Wilde.
March 19, 2018
By Brian Wilde
The Montreal Canadiens back at home taking on the Florida Panthers as the Antti Niemi Revenge Tour continues. Here’s Brian Wilde with his post-game report.
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A very good piece Brian, agreeing on all points! Players in the wrong chair can do it for so long…
Glad to see your still optimistic, Brian. Unfortunately, the guy you’re expecting to make the necessary improvements, is they guy who has brought the team to this point. He’s still expecting to win now rather than facing reality and setting up a plan to be a Cup contender in 2 or 3 years, not next year or the year after. That means making some difficult decisions, however, and admitting that some previous moves were mistakes, something that doesn’t seem to be in Mr. Bergevin’s DNA as he’s indicated. The problem is in the room, he says. I wonder which player we blame for the make-up of the current defense corps, for the lack of first and second line centres, for the weak development of prospects and for teaching them how to lose at the AHL level. The current state of the team is not due to some player in the room or some drifter passing through town, it’s on the guy who’s been there all along. Frankly, it’s mostly Geoff Molson’s fault since he orchestrated the GM job parameters and the hiring, but since he’s not going anywhere, it’s Bergevin who has to accept the consequences. Mr. Molson’s comments that it’s not the GM’s fault are the truly scary story of this franchise. We have fallen so far.
Great stuff Brian. I know it may sound bad but I hope the Habs would but Niemi on waivers before the end of the season. Hopefully a playoff contender would pick him up for a run. He deserves a second chance IMO..