HEFTER: I was wrong

Posted By: Abe Hefter · 3/14/2013 9:50:00 PM

When, on June 12, 2012, General Manager Marc Bergevin announced that Michel Therrien was coming back for a second tour of duty as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, I thought to myself:

Michel Therrien?!?! Really?!?!

The one word I used to describe the move to bring Therrien back was: uninspired. Michel Therrien was an uninspired choice as head coach on the part of Marc Bergevin.

I was wrong.

Some nine months later, Michel Therrien has the Montreal Canadiens in first place in the Eastern Conference of the NHL, playing inspired hockey.  And for that, he deserves all the credit that’s coming to him.

Therrien has rarely stumbled with the moves he’s made behind the bench.  Sending Lars Eller to the press box for a spell early in the season was a move that was greeted by much gnashing of teeth on the part of many, if not most, Habs fans. The result: Lars Eller has played his way back into the lineup and is playing inspired hockey.

Eller’s performance the other night against the Sens was simply spectacu-Eller.  True, Eller only has four goals so far this season. But he’s not playing like a guy who only has four goals this season. He’s playing like a game-changer. He’s making things happen. He has taken matters into his own hands. And it started with Michel Therrien’s decision to send him to the press box.

Then there’s the curious case of PK Subban. Again, there was much gnashing of teeth when Marc Bergevin failed to sign Subban to a new deal for the start of the lockout-shortened season, but a deal did get done.  That was followed by a little sit-down session with Subban to let him know what was expected of the young defenceman.  Shortly thereafter, on Feb. 1, Therrien announced that there would be no more “triple low five” celebrations between Subban and Price.

Cue the teeth-gnashers.

The result? PK Subban is playing inspired hockey. He is having himself a Norris-Trophy-type season, and it essentially all started with Therrien’s decision to ban the triple-low-five out of "respect to the game."  Don’t count me among those who were aghast when Therrien rained on the triple-low-five parade.  It was at that point, when I said to myself, and anyone else who would listen:

“I’m liking Michel Therrien more and more each day."

Halfway through this lockout-shortened season, the Montreal Canadiens have made a statement.  They are for real.  Therrien wanted his team to be difficult to play against.  They are difficult to play against.  Yes, there is still plenty of race track left between now and (dare I say it) the start of the playoffs.  There will be plenty of challenges between now and that final regular-season game, April 27 in Toronto, against the Leafs.  But if Montreal’s 18-5-4 record is any indication (and I believe that it is) Therrien will continue to push the right buttons, make the right moves, and keep this team on an even and winning keel.

 

 

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  1. JohnH- posted on 03/15/2013 01:09 AM
    Abe, I agree with most of what you wrote. However, as far as PK and the low-5 it wasn't only that. Mr.Bergevin holding out and not giving into the presser to sign PK spoke volumes! Mr.Therrien also cutting down on PK's playing time and making him work for more time also showed PK and the team who is the boss. You can't play the G.M. against the coach. A lot like parents with their children. One thing I'm concerned about. Price's glove hand, weak. And, finally. We haven't played any of the big teams yet. I hate this 48 game season. It proves nothing. Whom ever wins the cup will always have a * next to their name. Play a full season and win the cup, now your a true champ. This season will go down as greed and BS.
  2. Pierre posted on 03/15/2013 05:53 AM
    Many things went right.....

    The readyness of the two youngsters to give us scoring depth.
    The return of Markov.
    The well chosen UFA signings from Bergevin.
    I love Therrien's system for our team which take advantage of its speed and the team's quality passing as never been as good, the work ethic is way up there too..... Therrien is an up to date coach with great experience.
    1. JohnH- posted on 03/16/2013 12:06 AM
      @Pierre Pierre, some very good points. However, Markov has lost a step and we know why. And his recent diving has not gone over well. Also, Therrien has been out coached on several occasions. He has problems on line changes against fast and hard hitting teams. Other then that, let's see how they do against some real teams, Chicago, St.Louis Detroit, Vancouver, Minnesota, Anaheim and Los Angles. Many of these teams can skate with the Habs but, many of them have guys that can put the puck in the net with their top (3) lines. Coming back after a (2) or (3) goal lead may be exciting. But, the teams I have listed don't let you back in after you give up the lead. That's the kind of firer power they have and we don't. Not showing up for the second period and hoping you will get it back in the third is a game loser with those teams. For all these reasons this season should have never been played. Forty-eight games! What does that prove? Let's see what kind of team we have next year. Then everybody will have to prove themselves over the long haul. Not this mini sub-par tournament. they call a season.
  3. Umaga posted on 03/15/2013 08:41 AM
    Oh how far the once great franchise has fallen !

    Does anyone remember back 25 or 30 tears ago when the Canadiens were still a respectable franchise .? Knowledgeable , sophisticated Montreal fans would mock the rubes in places like Hartford or Washington for hanging Adams Division winner "89 banners in their arenas , or being exited about the Presidents Cup .

    The smug , hockey-smart Hab fan would laugh at the sadly deluded hicks in Vancouver or Toronto when they touted their team " for real " at the half way mark .

    Note to Post-Dynasty Blue-Blanc -Rouge faithful : You will know your team is for real when the gifted intellectuals in Montreal media no longer have to say they're for real !
    Does anyone say the Red-wings are " for real " ? The Penguins are " for real " ? The Bruins are " for real " ? No , they just ARE " for real " !
    1. JohnH- posted on 03/19/2013 12:41 AM
      @Umaga Umaga, nice to see you have time to drop your crayons and pull yourself away from the big pictures in the"JOURNAL." Who cares what the sports media in Montreal has to say. If you have to rely on the media to form an opinion on the "Montreal Canadians" then you don't know hockey. Stick to politics that way you don't have think. I hear crayons are half price this week at, "Bureau EN Gros." By the way there will be a snap quiz Monday. No mutable choice or crayons. Be very afraid, Be very, very afraid!! You could always call Pauline. She could give you your answer. Do you live in Canada? Or are you just visiting? And when will you be leaving? Soon, I hope. There is a tutorial on hockey for people like you. It's called, "PETER PUCK' Look it up. And its a cartoon! You could invite your one friend over to watch. Wouldn't that be fun?
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