Canadiens Hockey: EXPERIENCE The Centennial Season - blog
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
COYOTES ON THE LOOSE? HOPEFULLY THE PENGUINS ARE MORE WORRIED ABOUT A PACK OF WILD BULLDOGS!
How can THIS not get through to Matt D'Agostini? Even with Pouliot and Bergeron out for Super Bowl Weekend, Dags is in the doghouse while Bulldogs are off the chain everywhere. Darche on the top line. White-Desharnais-Trotter as a 4th line? The Canadiens have 8 players with them this weekend who've spent time in Hamilton this season. Dags---you don't want adult education classes at Stelco U!
What are the 2 things Anthony Calvillo and I agree on about Super Bowl Sunday? 1) Colts will DESTROY the Saints. 2) There will NOT be 13 men on the field at game-end.
While I'm at it AC, how come you don't pretend to be conducting the orchestra like Manning does at the line of scrimmage? "Actually Marc (Coach Trestman) wanted to bring in some plays that would have me make more reads right before the snap, but in the CFL we only have 20 seconds between plays. We just didn't have time. Fans don't realize in the NFL you can do alot with 45 seconds."
What's the latest scandal dividing the Habs' room? Most of the players I talked to are turning on Josh Gorges, an unabashed Colts fan. The Canadiens D-man insists he's no band-wagon hitch-hiker...he comes by it honestly. "My Dad's cheered for the Colts since Johnny Unitas was the quarterback in Baltimore."
Now Josh, about that refusal to put your money where your mouth is in a Super Bowl friendly wager with D'Agostini? "He shouldn't be talking...he still owes me for last week's games!" Gorges jokes, referring to his bang-on predictions for the Conference finals.
Is this a sign of age or maturity? Anthony Calvillo's pointed out that the latest Hall of Fame inductees are all guys he has played with or against. "That's showing my age," chuckles AC. "Glad to see Ham going in. He told me he'd teach me things, but I had to want to learn. Tracy always said he wanted to help young quarterbacks but they didn't all want to learn."
Anthony, you obviously paid attention...just don't plagiarize his induction speech 10 years from now!
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
How did you like that preview of the All-Canadian Stanley Cup Final?
HABS MATH TEST: Can you prove #41=#1?! Jacques Martin still insists #31=#41=#1.
Why do you want to trade Carey Price all of a sudden? That's not going to cure the problems on the Habs.
Hey Tracy Ham, how often does fellow Hall of Fame inductee Elfrid Payton remind you he sacked you 4 times in a game once!? "Every time we get together...but now at least I can say I was sacked by a Hall of Famer!" chuckles Ham.
Do you realize there is a direct line from Joe Barnes of the 70's to Anthony Calvillo's Grey Cup success? Barnes coached Ham in Baltimore, after Tracy led the Argos to one of the worst seasons in CFL history. Tracy then qb-whispered Calvillo back to confidence after an even worse season in Steeltown. "Why was it so important for you to mentor someone, Tracy?" I asked the Als' QB of Eastern Final heartbreaks in '96, '97, '98 and '99? "Because people took the time to mentor me."
Shouldn't Elfrid's bust at the Hall include his gag false-teeth?
SWAC, where did you get that Sack Dance? (Not so much a dance as a crouch with a cursing point and shake of the fingers). "That's my tribute to the late Glenn Montgomery. We played high-school ball together and he went on to the NFL (Houston Oilers). I just took what he did and made it my own." Montgomery died of Lou Gehrig's Disease, another wicked twist of fate for a man who overcame adversity to rise out of the New Orleans ghetto.
How come no-one but Coach Martin has noticed Ryan O'Byrne stepping up? He led all players in hits AND blocked shots during that 3-2 upset over the Canucks.
Think anyone on Canada will dare hold a "Beware the 13th Man" sign when the Als kickoff their Grey Cup Rematch game in Regina? Rider fans are more likely to dress like Lady Gaga at the Grammies.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
HAPPY HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA EVERYBODY! Yannick Weber says "is it Hockey Day in Switzerland too?" Sure is, since for once, family and friends don't have to stay up all night to listen to him on www.cjad.com! The Canadiens hit the Nation's Capital with a Coach who's hometown still doesn't even have an arena. Jacques Martin tells me growing up in St. Pascal, the nearest arena for minor hockey was in the "big town" of Clarence Creek.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Why will Roman Hamrlik think twice before he ever goes deepsea fishing again? Cuz he got terribly seasick Sunday. The only Habs player to tough out stormy waters on a trip arranged by fellow defenseman Paul Mara's guy. Mara of course didn't make it to Floride becaues of his recent injury, and Carey Price had the good sense to bail at the last minute. Hammer toughed it out but says "I thought I was on the Titanic." All he caught was some Gravol while Nick Addey-Jibb, the team athletic therapist, landed The Big One---a 10-pound tuna.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Who would be crazy enough to complain about being put on a line with Lecavalier and St. Louis? Didn't that McGill education do anything for Mathieu Darche? Mad Matt was all smiles in the dressing on gameday in Jersey telling me about his 'hot-streak' with the Lightning 2 seasons ago. "I was on an energy line with Halpern and Michel Ouellet, and one day I come in and I see on the board our line is broken up. I thought 'why would coach do that? I've got 13 points in my last 20 games'. Then my buddies told me to get over it. I was moved to the line with Marty and Vinnie." Darche sure isn't complaining about getting on a line with Gionta for his first goal in bleu, blanc, rouge.
"Have you ever held a broom in your life?!" I ask Martin Brodeur, who suggests if he could play any other sport at the Winter Games he'd try curling. Curling?! "Less effort," laughs the FHoF'er. But you've never touched a broom in your life, Marty! "That's true, and I haven't moved to many rocks, either!" he fires back as I leave the Devils room.
So Dags is challenging Benoit Pouliot for Designated Enforcer status on the Habs now? Michael Cammalleri tells me he feels D'Agostini's willingness to drop the gloves helped spark the team in the 3rd. Sure, but wouldn't you rather Dags get the hands going while still holding his stick?
Wouldn't you have loved Mikael Tam to come out and call for severe punishment and criminal charges against Cormier? I know, would have been been unfair to expect a teenager to settle the debate for the Hockey World, but who does the Q-League think it is...VANOC or Communist China for stifling free speech?
Has Jim Popp already hedged his bet on the possibility of losing Keron Williams, Jermaine McElveen or both? Former Baltimore Raven and Carolina Panther Lorenzo Williams signed Friday with the Als. Blink and you missed him on the practise roster for a few weeks in 2008, but the Panthers wouldn't have given him another look if he didn't have some talent.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Were Big Georges' days as numbered as his shifts after last Sunday's loss in New York? When Carey Price appears more eager to get in a fight, ya think? When Josh Gorges is toughing it out against Avery who's being as obnoxious as ever, even after Josh dished out worse than he took it; when Benoit Pouliot engages for his first NHL fight? And still only 4 shifts from Georges and no fight?
It was pretty clear at that point Jacques Martin had lost confidence in his "enforcer". Georges telling me he had weekly meetings with coach to plead for more icetime clearly was his way of dropping the gloves to pick up his pink-slip.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
How many times does Marc Trestman have to say "I do" before Als fans get it...that he's a man of his word and a man of honour? Don't believe this next wave of Raiders rumours. My CFL and NFL sources say the Raiders haven't and won't ask for permission to talk to Coach Trestman, who wouldn't want to sneak in the backdoor for his NFL return anyway. Besides, Marv Levy had to win 2 Cups before he could leave. I think Trestman has to top that.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
"The odds of that happening are about the same as winning the lottery," Laraque tells me. Hey, at least scoring success hasn't gone to his head!
Georges and Als' reciever Danny Desriveaux have pledged their support for CJAD/Astral Media Haiti Day Monday. Hope you will too.
Why is it some people who have everything are never satisified, and some people who've never had anything seem to lose everything?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
On the day Danny Desriveaux is honoured at Laval City Hall for Grey Cup Success, the pride of Laval-via-Haitian parents is thinking of family and relatives who've had homes damaged in the earthquake zones. Danny's arm bears a tatoo with the map of Haiti and his parents' hometowns marked. So far, the Desriveaux clan has escaped serious injury or worse. Our thoughts and prayers with everyone.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Should I confess to my wife? Meeting her at a New Years Eve Party in Lachine back in the day only rates a close second to my best New Years Eve ever.
Why was I embarrassed during both those revelries? Truth is I was embarrassed for my boyhood idol Ken Dryden that historic night at the Forum. Embarrassed for myself just a few years later, the New Years Eve I met my future wife---I got my shirt collar caught on her ear ring. And that was before we'd kissed! Twenty-five years later she's still recovering from that "upper body injury".
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Some surprises yes, but has Stevie Y done anything to make you doubt him? Not me.
Don't you love Spacek's reaction to being snubbed by his Czech Republic team? "Probably go to Bahamas...family time...workout...get ready for the playoffs." With Hamrlik also forced into Olympic retirement, I can see Jacques Martin writing a thank you note to the Czechs already. Plek's done everything else for the Habs in the first half---he can translate it!
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Jaroslav Halak has seen so many shots from so many opponents during his last 3 wins, if the Salahi's showed up unguarded in the slot in front of him, would anybody notice?
Have you seen the spoof movie poster for "Broke Black Golfer"? That's all Elin needs is to have a Montana Cowboy come forward!
Does Marc Trestman know how to party? The coach who celebrated his first CFL Divisional Crown with milk and cookies after a game bumped into me outside the Habs hotel in Raleigh, North Carolina. He insisted we do power-shakes at his gym. The Grey Cup Mastermind looked totally content in his anonymity bubble and content to be Dad's Chauffeur service for his daughters over the Christmas Holidays. Thanks for the shake, Coach. I'm buying in Edmonton come November 2010!
Can we all pray for peace and justice in Colombia, Honduras and the Belarus Olympic Hockey Team in 2010? Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn got an early Christmas present with confirmation they're on their national squads for the Winter Games in Vancouver. First Canadiens players to be so honoured. The catch is, they will be teammates with the hated public nuisance Mikhail Grabovski. As Sergei Kostitsyn joked with me in the dressing room at the Bell Centre some weeks ago "we can get along as teammates, just not linemates!"
Will BTT join omg and lol in the online lexicon? "How's your day going?" "BTT!" Better Than Tiger.
Can I share this with you? Ho Ho Habs wishing you Merry Bleu Blanc Rouge Christmas: http://www.cjad.com/gallery_new/5699
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Twas the night of Thanksgiving and out of the house
Tiger Woods came a flyin', chased by his spouse.
She wielded a nine iron and wasn't too merry,
Cause a bimbo's phone number was in his Blackberry.
He'd been cheatin' on Elin, and the story progressed.
Woman after woman stepped up and confessed.
He'd been cheatin' with Holly, and Jaimee, and Cori, With Joselyn, and Kalika. The world had the story.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Has Ben Pouliot been given the best Christmas present of all? An airline ticket to Atlanta? The former 4th overall pick in 2005 crammed in 3 games in 3 days with the Bulldogs---no great shakes his first game, improved in the second, then 3-point game in the 3rd. Hey, if you set up Mathieu Darche for his first Bulldog's hat-trick you're doing something right!
I love the decision to come back with Jaroslav Halak after his masterful 40 save performance. But didn't you think Jaro was handling the puck more than usual. Getting called for icing once was his only mistake and if you stop 85 pucks in your last two wins Jacques Martin and Pierre Groulx will forgive!
Did you know the powerplay with Markov in the lineup is now 5/9?
If Andrei M scored a pair on the eve of his birthday, how about Scott Gomez busting out tonight and Wednesday in Carolina vs. the Hurricanes, which is the night "Gomer" turns 30? Scott has assists in back-to-back games for just the 2nd time this season.
Does "Pokerface" Wetenhall deserve a new nickname? The man who kept his coach's deal secret for the entire season proudly let Larry Smith show off the Molson Stadium expansion job Monday afternoon. I think we now need to call the Als' owner "Bob the Builder"!
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
If that's rust, why bother with any rust-proofing? Andrei Markov's return to action on Long Island saw him dangerously close to his first career hat-trick. He was adventurous on the power-play, patient with the puck, and improved special teams as well as 5-on-5 play. Truth is Markov used his "time off" since October very wisely and may be stronger than he's ever been.
Ever have an in-flight movie and in-flight meal, but no flight? That's what happened as the Canadiens tried in vain to escape the Blizzard after shutting out the Islanders. By the time the team charter was de-iced the runway was treacherous for takeoff. Dinner and a movie before trekking back to the team hotel? Try the salmon and "Inglorious Bastards."
Former Hab Benoit Brunet was chuckling about the last time he was stranded with the team: 3 days in Carolina. The likeable RDS analyst says he remembers stepping into knee-deep snow when the Canadiens finally left their plane. Then again, maybe the snowdrift was up to his shoulders? Video Coach Mario Leblanc, the only coach still with the club since that '99 incident says "Carolina shut down because of 6" of snow!"
Canadiens Life-coaching consultant David Scott tells the story of an ill-fated minor-league trip---the bus caught fire. The boondock hockey saints offloaded their gear before it got torched, but could only scramble to find a smaller airport shuttle style vehicle. Hockey bags were stuffed floor to ceiling up the aisle!
Didn't you love the way Georges Laraque was throwing his weight around Saturday on Long Island? I don't expect Georges to drop the gloves every night, but I sure want him to be a public nuisance against Habs opponents.
Canadiens fans, do you realize how devoted you are? Outnumbering Islander fans in New York despite a blizzard? Impressive. Gary Shapiro of Guaranteed Industries and his boys were roadtripping to Long Island to see the Habs break their win-streak.
Don't you love the fact Carey was actively involved in the Halak Victory Shutout Facewash celebrations? Only thing in the crease you gotta love more is Jaroslav making 85 saves in his last 2 victories combined.
Did you hear Brian Gionta's Christmas confession on CJAD? He admitted to snooping when he was a kid, sneaking into Mom and Dad's closet to try on his new hockey gloves almost daily and then acting very surprised on Christmas Morning. Moff: "Did your parents know you snooped?" Gionta: "I never thought so but now that I'm a parent, I'm sure they knew!"
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY?
Has anyone ever played more, after a PLAY ME OR TRADE ME demand? I don't want Bob Gainey forced into any 'malcontent discount' in trading away Halak.
And why doesn't anyone ever demand to be traded TO Montreal? Someone like, say, Ovechkin or Kovalchuk?
If you or I were Jaroslav Halak, wouldn't we want to play more or be traded? That's the nature of every backup goalie. But the fact it is public now--just makes trading Jaro all the tougher.
Even with a Gibson's Finest rep within earshot, Anthony Calvillo insists he didn't drink ANYTHING out of the Grey Cup at any point during the celebrating. But at a Calvillo Family Brunch recently, it sure made a great tzadziki dip bowl!
Isn't it ironic, that "huge favour" Tiger asked Mistress 1 to do? Even if she took her name off the phone, would Tiger be any better off?
That joke about the moral of Tiger's tale being "carry 2 cellphones" makes me think of a vacation I took a few years ago to Venezuela. Many people my daughter and I met there carried 2 cellphones. One Caracas guide joked one phone was for his left-wing friends, another for his right-wing friends. OK, so it was a lot funnier during the nervous times of another feared coup attempt against Chavie.
Forget scandal and self-indulgence...it's time for you to feel the gift of inspiration, to do something unexpected for someone. Next week, Montreal Alouette front-office star Genevieve Hrbec will be at the orphanage in southern Peru I told you about recently. Here's how you can help: check out http://www.casahogarninojesus.org/index_e.htm then send a donation through: Fondation Formons une Famille, a/s Peru 480, boul. Roland-Therrien, Longueuil, Québec J4H 3V9
Did I really need a reminder that playing the sax should go back on my bucket list? That's because noted Als fan Trevor W. Payne (I know what the "W" stands for!) had Dan Martel in the band again this year at the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir concerts. Outstanding!
Don't you love Murray Wilson's thinking? No. 17 suggests this scenario for the Hockey Gods to ponder: Brodeur gets his record-setting shutout but the Habs win in Jersey!? It could happen...if Carey Price matches Marty for 65 minutes and the Canadiens win in a shootout. Hey, CFL season's over, what else do the Gods have to amuse themselves these days?
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
HOW COME TIGER ISN'T SAYING HE'S TAKING AN INDEFINITE BREAK FROM SEX?
Who's more valuable? Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Iginla, Crosby or Cammalleri?
"Lucky 13" has scored 21% percent of Habs goals this season! Only Marian Gaborik has a higher lion's share of his team's offensive production.
HOW SOON BEFORE A MONTREALER COMES FORWARD WITH A TIGER-MOMENT? Does anyone really think Woods was shutout during President's Cup in '07?
Did you realize...Cammalleri has more even-strength goals than anyone in the NHL not named Alexander Ovechkin?
Don't you wish more coaches more as honest with the media as John Anderson here in Atlanta? Asked what his Thrashers have to do to turn things around after 3 straight losses: "get our heads out of our rear-ends!"
"Hey Spacek, you want to pull a Fetisov and still be playing at 51?" "Let me see how I'm doing in 3 years after this contract," the smiling Czech tells me.
Will I see you at the Jubilation Gospel Choir Sunday? Can't wait to see the smile on Jim Hindley's face, cuz the Cedars Cancer Institute will be feeling the Christmas Spirit thanks to another "Lucky 13". Anthony Calvillo will hand over a cheque for $10,000 Tuesday, the CFL Most Outstanding Player prize courtesy of Gibson's Finest.
Truth is, don't you think Tiger is doing the right thing by focusing on the family and the marriage before patching things up with his sponors? I cringe every time I hear some marketing or media talking-head suggest he get 'out in front of the story'. This isn't "a story", this isn't "a fall from grace", this is a man who has caused his wife terrible pain and humiliation. I wish him all the best for the sake of his children.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
When was the last time you HAD to kiss an inanimate object? I couldn't resist the opportunity to pucker up with the Grey Cup when it came for a visit to CJAD Monday morning. Truth is, temptation was too much for me. My paws were all over it. Michael Cammalleri, any regrets about the ceremony?
The man many think of as their C for the Habs joked with me at the Fishbowl in Brossard that he wanted in on the Hall of Fame warmup skate last Friday to take one more shot at Patrick Roy! "I faced him my rookie year and couldn't beat him. I ended up on a highlight video...Patrick's highlights!"
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
The moral of the Tiger in the Rough Affair? Actually overheard someone in Buffalo say the moral is "every man should have 2 phones!" NO. I'm with Elin. If someone else is swinging Tiger's Clubs, how come Mrs. Tiger can't swing one?
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Know what the Als kept saying on the sideline with about 2 minutes to go? BELIEVE!
So who stepped up at halftime and delivered the inspiring words to spark the Miracle Redemption Win? Calvillo, Watkins, Emry, and Richardson among others. They all agreed this team had worked to hard to let this shot at the Cup slip away.
Why doesn't owner Robert Wetenhall believe me when I tell him this is the greatest Als team ever? He wanted to consider it for a second , but then he did the math. "17 wins is a lot of wins," said the loveable financial saviour of the team.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Best response heard at the Als' Party? "If I take the spanking tonite does that prevent the spanking at Grey Cup?"
Why would a Regina resident drive 8 hours to Calgary only to give the Alouettes a Game Day morning inspiration? Cuz he's Phil Price, Tony Proudfoot's teammate in the secondary in the 70's. He came from Providence, the one in Rhode Island (to quote the Eagles Last Resort). And as the Als left their hotel this morning Price showed them his '74 Grey Cup ring and told them to go get their own!
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Why are so many Calgarians adopting the Riders, not the Als? "Cuz we're a bunch of likeable guys!" chuckles Riders Coach Ken Miller, the CFL's Uncle Buck.
Michael Cammalleri in touch with his "inner goon"? A tree can fall in the forest, but in the Brossard Fishbowl you can actually here the sounds of no punches being thrown.
Would your wife let you do this on your 5th wedding anniversary? Fly out to Grey Cup to massage another man?! Scott Suter has brought wife Allison to Calgary for physical therapy sessions with Anthony Calvillo and Ben Cahoon. Scott even brought that Bolivian grain that AC swears by, and will use Anthony's rice-steamer to cook up meals on gameday. Cahoon's got the Velcro Hands, but Scott's got the magic hand.
What's the Als' secret motivation message for Grey Cup? Told you about Coach Squires using a cowboy gunfight film clip to fire up the Als' special teams units before the Eastern Final. Walter Spencer reveals to CJAD there was no pop-culture film clip in the final team meeting on the eve of Grey Cup. But Spencer, a Tasmanian Devil on coverage units, says a simple picture was ingrained in their eyes...The Cup at the top of a Rocky Mountain. Time to win the day by climbing that mountain.
Told you about Peter Dalla Riva's options for future Als' Hall of Fame Nominees. So I asked Peter where he's sitting Grey Cup Sunday? "At home," says the alltime great Tight End. Silly me asked Peter if he started playing football in high school?! "I never went to high school," says the 3-time Grey Cup champ who always joked he's a graduate of "Stelco U". "I worked in the steel mill at 15, but couldn't get into Stelco or Dofasco because you had to be 18. Football got me out of the mills."
How's this for a dream-team: do you know who Dalla Riva's junior football teammate was when he pulled on the shoulder pads and helmet for the first time at the age of 20? Fellow Hall of Famer Tony Gabriel. Peter wants to be home so he can follow the game more closely on his tv than an obscure view at McMahon Stadium. I suspect it is also because the quiet icon also wants to stay out of sight and let the current day players savour victory.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Is Darian Durant a quarterback stalker? The Riders' young star qb admits he can't take his eyes off Anthony Calvillo. He's been watching AC all season long. On film. "I love his decisiveness...that's where I can improve," says the QB one league source tells me the Riders almost gave up on early in the season when they had a revolving door and brought in another prospect to hedge their bet on Durant.
Looking for a weekend dvd rental? If you want to be inspired like the Als were before the Eastern Final, then try the Costner-Duval Western: "Open Range". Coach Squires, the special teams guru for the Alouettes always includes some violent team-building pop culture footage in his meetings. Before last year's big games it was Discovery Channel-style shark and alligator attacks. This year it was "about standing tall even if you're outnumbered," says Squires. The Grey Cup theme? "You'll have to ask the guys after Saturday's meeting!" You bet I will, coach.
Do you believe Scott Flory? He insists he never did the Watermelon Head thing growing up a Rider fan in Regina. And about that playoff beard, Scott? Is that your tribute to Bad Santa?
Which Alouettes could be headed to the Hall of Fame in 2010? Bumped into Peter Dalla Riva who'll help make that decision. Tracy Ham will certainly have to be considered, and from #74's day? Sonny Wade, Peter. Three Grey Cup victories. Do you need any more evidence?
So when you think you want to bring the next coaching guru to Canada who do you have to ask for permission? Did you know the Als had to ask the New Orleans Saints for permission to talk to Trestman because he was doing consulting work for them. Jim Popp had called Trestman clear out of the blue in the Spring of '07 to test his interest level in coming to Training Camp as a consultant. Popp admits even though he was Head Coach, he wanted to wet the softspoken NFL veteran assistant coach's appetite for Head-Coaching.
So did the Als have to pay a hefty consulting fee to the NFL guru? "He told us to pay him whatever we wanted," recalls Popp as the Als went out to fight the cold, the snow and the white noise that rocked the PA system at McMahon Stadium Friday afternoon.
With Andrew Hawkins out, who could benefit from the opportunity? My guess is S.J. Green, who some NFL scouts would be wise to look at. He's probably the best NFL prospect on the Als roster...and their best kept secret as long as Jamel Richardson is around.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Wonder if the Canadiens saw the home-made banner in the Igloo that made a play on the street-lamp pennants hanging outside the Igloo? Those pennants show the closeup of a Penguin's face, with the words "Defy ordinary." The Penguins' fan poster? "Defy Injury."
Was Coach Trestman playing mind-games with the Riders? "Derrick Durant", botching the first name of the young QB star his defense has to contend with, during Coach's official Grey Cup news conference. Riderville will be insisting this is arrogant slight from an Easterner. I call it the slightest of slights...Trestman's not one to knowingly insult his opponents.
GUILLAUME IS GONE
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Is the biggest decision facing the Als for Grey Cup week--black hats or white hats? As Marc Trestman left his office following the Eastern Final B.C. Beating, Mrs. Trestman suggested black. Coach Trestman wouldn't commit. It might be the only time I've stumped him with a question in 2 years.
Can we change that Als motto from "Win the Day" to "Totally Annihilate the Day"?
Wanna know the secret wisdom of the Als' locker-room wall? The Coach Squires Wall of Wisdom includes these gems: "Vision, collision, vision." "PhD--Passion, Hunger, Drive". And the Special Teams guru offers this one as well: "Rip, wrap, strip, hit and dip, and unleash your quest to be the best."
Wasn't that a classy move giving the Game Ball to GM Jim Popp? The architect of the team that's going to Grey Cup for the 2nd straight year, 4th time in 5, and 7th time in 10 years was emotional and of course thrilled to have several of his children up on the Victory Stage for the Eastern Champions Trophy.
Why beat yourself up, Etienne Boulay? The Als' safety was the last player out of the dressing room, kicking himself for failing to come up with 3 interceptions in the game, but at least he's got his fashion statement for Grey Cup ready. Boulay is now 3-0 in Eastern Finals when he wears a sharp dark 3-peice pin-stripe suit with blue and gold striped matching tie. Business suit for a business trip, right?
If NFL Coaching rumours flare up again this week with the Als headed to Calgary, we shouldn't be surprised if the next Alouette coach to leave for the NFL is Mike Sinclair. That was classic Sinclair to yank John Bowman for losing contain on Casey Printers on the Lions' only touchdown offensively. Sinclair talked Bowman down through his anger and frustration and #7 was a force in the 2nd half.
How big is your big-screen TV? John Bowman admitted to his good buddy Ed Philion on the CJAD postgame show he thought he'd run out of gas on the way to his 4th quarter defensive TD (his first in the CFL) but he looked up at the Big Owe scoreboard like his rear-view mirror.
Former Alouette O'Neil Wilson did one of those Hollywood looks to his son when the Lions headed to overtime against the Ti-Cats last weekend. The day before the Eastern Semi-Final BC win, O'Neil had watched 10-year old Kahlil lose an o.t. playoff game. Disney endings are supposed to be for kids, O'Neil! You used yours up before the Eastern Final.
How much will the loss of Andrew Hawkins hurt the Als? It was an ugly blow to an enthusiastic role-playing speedster. But the potential for a ratio-changer loss of Shea Emry could end up having a bigger impact on the Als' Grey Cup Gameplan.
Will you be surprised if Georges Laraque is benched and the Habs go with 7 defenseman in the lineup against the Blue Jackets, Tuesday? I won't be.
If you're Steve Yzerman and you want to be thinking about 2014 as well as 2010, don't you take Carey Price to Vancouver just for the 3rd string Olympic acclimatization?
Ever go to HabsInsideOut.com? Met up with some of the diehards at Hurley's after the shootout loss to the Red Wings. Couldn't resist snapping up a "Carey is my HomeBoy" t-shirt for sale!
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Should I be shocked even the sight of Bob Gainey hitting the red carpet outside drew 'boos' INSIDE the Bell Centre well before all the 14,000 fans at the Habs' movie premiere settled into their seats? I was. Funny the boo-birds didn't get on the case of any of the under-acheiving players doing the perp-walk on the red carpet?
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
If clothes make the man, do masks define the goalie?
After only 1 win in 8 decisions with his ghoulish skulls mask fitting for Halloween, Carey returned to form in Phoenix with his Remembrance Day tribute mask being donated to Wounded Warriors. But when in Music City, a Cowboy Goalie wants his Country Music cage. In Nashville, Carey's brought his mask with portraits of his faves George Straight and Garth Brooks.
There may be no "I" in Team or Ego, but don't you still expect Casey Printers to tear up the Ti-Cats and perhaps even put a scare into Als fans November 22nd? That's why it is so important for fans to fight apathy and ensure the Olympic Stadium Wall of Sound Defense is at its highest decibel levels. I'll have Dave Mudge at field level with a decibel level metre on loan from my brother, a veteran teacher at Selwyn House School.
HABS' SPECIAL TEAMS NOT VERY SPECIAL
Power play struggling after recent success
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Will Bell Centre scalpers soon be swapping seats in the Reds for West Island H1N1 Coupons?
Does Jacques Martin deserve an honorary medical degree? How else did he know Andrei K just needed a double booster-shot of rookie enthusiam in Boston?
If only you could have seen Sergei K's smile throughout his Bell Centre scrum on Bulldogs gameday. Hopefully he's acting more like an NHL player on the ice because his "I love Hamilton" and "I have to work harder" leaves me wondering...if you've learned the right things to say, shouldn't you also learn how to say them?
Tim Thomas tells me he doesn't want his wife and kids to get the H1N1 shot. But then he goes on to say about the Bruins' dressing room: "Smell this room...there's got to be something growing!" Oooh.
Did you notice Damon Duval has joined the Alouettes o-linemen in growing a playoff beard and moustache? A kicker thinking like an o-lineman?
Is there an NHL gene? Habs rookie Tom Pyatt is less than a week away from a possible Brother Act against Taylor Pyatt. Their proud father is former Red Wing, Capital and Colorado Rockie Nelson Pyatt. Tom teases his Dad there's no Youtube video of his 70's heroics, so I asked Nelson for CJAD's Ric Peterson Show what it was like facing the Dynasty Team of the 70's with some of the expansion era's worst lineups? "Greg Joly, our 1st round pick in Washington one year, always used to say 'Circle the wagons boys, here they come! Circle the wagons!'"
Then there's Bob Gainey picking the pocket of Lou Lamoriello for Jay Leach, the son of Chris Leach who played university hockey with a goalie named Jacques Martin. Yes, that Jacques Martin!
Why was Jay a Bruins fan even though he was born in Syracuse, New York? His uncle Steve played several seasons for Boston and is now a scout for the Flames. His Uncle Jay for whom the journeyman defenseman is named is an assistant coach with Washington, and his uncle Mark is a scout for the Red Wings.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Does Jacques Martin need to explain himself any more than this about over-ruling "Win and stay in"? Coach says he has a 'feeling.' Carey Price gets the start versus the Thrashers on the first-month anniversary of his previous win.
Need more evidence Trestman is a master motivator? He's giving his players 5 straight days off following their regular season finale. But only AFTER the Als return from TO and have a team meeting the day after Saturday's shot at 15 wins in a season for the first time in franchise history.
Can you perfect perfection? The Alouettes' blowout win Sunday prompted nutbar Winnipeg Coach Mike Kelly to tee off on the CFL's Perfect Gentleman Bob Irving, the longtime Voice of the BlueBombers. The CFL rarely reveals the amounts of its fines, but confirmed Kelly is paying $2-grand, or $1-thousand per syllable.
Guy Lafleur reveals the advice he got before scoring his first NHL goal in a CJAD 1-on-1...and it was especially for playing on the wing with Peter "The Leader" Mahovlich. At Flower's DVD box-set release party the Hockey Hall of Famer admitted to me he was told by Habs teammates to play 'follow the leader'...trail the play and wait for Mahovlich to lose the puck trying to split the opposing D! Lafleur still chuckles heartily confessing he did just that and fired a lose puck from the slot to beat Don Edwards of the LA Kings for his first career goal.
Carbo's confession at the Lafleur DVD launch? He recalls his first pre-season game playing on a line with Lafleur and Mahovlich. "I never touched the puck...I guess that's why they sent me back down!?" admits Carbo.
Saw Pierre Normandeau at Kaizen Sushi Bar this week...proud his Miracle Man son "Marc the Goalie" will be carrying the Olympic Torch! Now you know what Sidney Crosby and an inspiring teenager from Ste. Lazare have in common.
HABS TURN PAGE ON OCTOBER
Begin November slate tomorrow against Thrashers at the Bell Centre
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Don't you hate Rumour Season? Over the next year I want you to keep track of how many times Carey Price is being traded and how many times Marc Trestman is re-hired by the Raiders.
Why would Mike Komisarek put a Habs sweater back on Saturday? Cuz he wants to dress up like an NHL player for Halloween?
SECONDARY SCORING AN OXYMORON ON THIS HABS' TEAM
Canadiens held to a single goal in 6-1 loss in Pittsburgh
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Who'll retire first---Calvillo or Chelios?
Didn't Winnipeg prove on the very first drive of the game why Marc Trestman and Anthony Calvillo made the right decision? I don't mean the ease with which Adrian McPherson runs and throws. I mean the Bombers bring the blitz from the blindside. Big Mc takes the hit...and that could have aggrevated the lower left-leg ache AC had treated all week.
For the second straight game the Als Monster in the Middle, Ramon Guzman, has made great hits and been penalized only for being much stronger and more determined than his opponents. Necessary Roughness they should call that!
Who does Christopher Higgins think he is....Alex Kovalev? Higg was all smiles when I caught up with him outside the Rangers team bus following the Game Day Skate at the Bell Centre but he refused to do any interviews until after the game. Higg did admit to me his Dad (a veteran NYFD) is loving the shorter commute to see his son play. Higg's brother is NYPD at a precinct just blocks from Madison Sqaure Garden and he's at every Ranger homegame before walking his beat on the graveyard shift at Times Square.
Most inspiring person I spoke to all week? Tyler Mosher. I confess I hadn't heart of him either. But Sunday morning when I'm going for my morning paddle, Tyler will be climbing Toronto's CN Tower raising money for United Way. Doctors told Tyler he'd never walk again. That was 9 years ago. In a few months Tyler will compete at the Paralympics in his hometown of Whistler. Para-lympic cross country skiing is hardly his first love. Snowboarding is, and he hopes by 2014 sport bureaucrats the world over will let him compete again in the sport that very nearly stole his life. He was wearing a helmet, so the fall down a 30-foot crevice only broke his back in 9 places.
Don't you think Tyler should be allowed to walk into the next IOC/Paralymic officials meetings and insist snowboarding be included?
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Sergei's agent confirmed what sources had told me earlier in the Where's Sergei Sequel---that he would join the Bulldogs' team flight to Texas. I love Ric Peterson's suggestion...give him a baby-seat!
Why can't the CFL save itself from itself? The CFL Fashion Police are cracking down on pink. Dave Stala, the likeable former Alouette---fined by the league for wearing pink gloves Sunday at Molson Stadium. Hello! The CFL Commissioner's parents are cancer survivors. But the CFL doesn't want players in pink unless there's a concerted plan. Avon Cobourne had pink gloves at Als practise this week. Concerted plan would be great. But if you don't have one, don't penalize the players for trying to get going with CFL-style men-in-motion!
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
The more self-indulgent the occasion the more likely he always was to rise to it, wasn't he?
With the Als threatening to surpass the franchise-record for wins in a season, need I remind you what happened the year Montreal went 14-4? That was Ted White Eastern Final Collapse to send the Argos on to Grey Cup Victory.
Leave it to the Argos to move a game to Moncton, NB marketed with a shot of the bridge to PEI!?
BELLE GETS HIS SHOT
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Did Carey Price just find out what it was like to be Roberto Luongo at age 22? The Cowboy Goalie was left all alone in the saloon shootout in Vancouver. And I saw some reporters rolling their eyes when Jacques Martin again compared a young Carey to other elite future Hall of Famers. Check the numbers..."Bobby Lu" himself suffered 5 years of losing records before he won more games than he lost.
Wasn't that great to see the Canucks invite Wally Buono to drop the ceremonial faceoff before the Canucks-Canadiens game? Wally had a #1 Vancouver jersey on. For his place on the CFL alltime victory list, as well as for his fellow Montrealer gone Left Coast. Luongo's from St. Leo, Wally from Montreal East.
Caught Ryan Walter, '86-Stanley Cup Champ with the Habs, spying on his former team the day after the 7-1 debacle. As Jacques Martin set a furious pace for his team in drills, Walter recalled for me his worst-ever "bag-skate" as a Hab. "Bob Berry was coaching and we did so many laps around the rink, we put deep ruts in the ice at the Verdun Auditorium. Minor hockey was cancelled for 3 days until they fixed it!"
The Als aren't announcing any practise roster expansion signees. Can you say: "no salary cap room"?
Hey Marc-Andre' Bergeron, how do you like your first try at free agency? The Habs' duct-tape D-man was given a 1-way deal, meaning he'll be called up quickly after finding his legs again with the Bulldogs. But Bergeron was baffled by why he couldn't get a deal over the summer after scoring 14 goals for the Wild last season.
So you wanna hear more about the ex-Alouette who helped ruin Aaron Rodgers' night dueling Brett Favre? Vikings D-line coach Karl Dunbar is a former NFL-er who played 1 and only 1 game for the Als, the final regular season game back in '97, I think it was. Friday Night Football in Winnipeg. Bad idea. Despite being sunny and hot for the walkthrough on the eve of the game, it snowed overnite and the players were frozen. Dunbar rushed up from Louisiana where he had just settled into High School football coaching after his NFL days were up, didn't have so much as a coat with him. Welcome to Canada. Played the game and was released. Welcome to the CFL and thanks for coming out. More than a decade later he's mentoring some of the feircest pass-rushers in the NFL.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
If Thanksgiving Monday is a Grey Cup preview, why can't the Habs-Flames game be a Stanley Cup Preview? Best in the East meets best in the West; 2 undefeated hockey teams. Hey, my Grey Cup and Stanley Cup are always half full!
Did you know there's an Alouettes Connection to the man who upstaged Brett Favre on Monday Night Football?
Sure Favre was masterful, his last win before turning 40, now the only NFL QB to beat all 32 teams, even scorched his former teammates for a hat-trick of TD passes. But a Monday Night Football record for sacks was set by Favre's new hunting buddy Jared Allen. Allen's D-Line coach is onetime Alouette defensive tackle Karl Dunbar. Tell ya the funny story about Dunbar's 1 and only regular season game next time. For now all you need to know is he's honing Allen's QB-hunting skills, already at All-Pro level.
Where's Sergei? Happy to report Kostitsyn will NOT replace Waldo as your kids' hide-and-seek book rival. In the next 24 hours "P'tit Frere Serge" should be right where he belongs...the Belarus Bulldog will work himself back into physical and emotional shape under Hamilton head coach Guy Boucher. CJAD sources confirmed that to me after the Canadiens held a 9AM! practise at the Saddledome in Calgary.
Has a rookie runningback sent a shocker to his veteran Alouette teammates? Brandon Whitaker had a solid pre-season but for the 2nd straight year the former all-purpose back from the Baylor Bears has been asked only to bide his time. Whitaker shared the glory at the Als charity golf tournament Monday at Les Quatre Domaines by winning the putting competition, draining a 15-foot putt---something the resident Tiger wannabees Ben Cahoon and Anthony Calvillo failed to do. Conspicuous by his absence--Avon Cobourne and my sources say Cobourne may be wise to take Thanksgiving Monday as a Holiday after leaving the East Crown clincher with a 'lower body injury.'
Prophecy or marketing hype matched only by reality? The Vikings' NFL website even BEFORE Favre carved the Packer-D, offered Minnesota jerseys for sale under the slogan "Purple is the New green."
Now that Luongo (yanked from the Canucks homeopener) Marty Brodeur and Cam Ward are winless, does anyone want to suggest Carey Price for backup goalie duty to Team Canada? Think about it! Vancouver 2010 could serve as a perfect acclimatiser for Carey in 2014.
WEBER GETS A SHOT
Habs call up Yannick Weber after injuries rock the blueline
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Didn't I just warn you this season is cursed too? At Teen Ranch your Habs were leading eachother around with blindfolds out. It's a miracle there weren't more casualties.
Is a Franchise Record for Victories in a season worthless unless that team wins its last game? Marc Trestman and his Als will do well to study the fate of an Eskimos team that went 16-2, but failed to win Rings.
"How tall do you have to be to be called a Smurf?" That's what Mike Cammalleri asked ME when I let the s-word slip in Buffalo while asking him about playing with Gomez and Gionta. "When Gomez can say he likes his linemates cuz they're looking UP at HIM---you're a smurf," I informed him.
Things we never want to see again this season?
*Anthony Calvillo scrambling for the longest gain offensively by run or pass.
*Bob Gainey carrying luggage for another injured defenseman.
"You lose two more bodies?" Lindy Ruff asked Jacques Martin as they shook hands after the 2-1 OT win in Buffalo. "Yeah, you thinking of a comeback?" Martin deadpanned.
When I asked Brian Gionta if he's stuck playing with Gomez now he admitted 'it sure looks that way.' Gomez shot back--"as long as he keeps listening to me."
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Have the Canadiens traded the 100th Season Curse for the Teen Ranch Curse? The costliest 2 points of the season will be that Opening Night overtime comeback in Toronto that sets Andrei Markov out until February.
The Habs spent 3 days at a "born-again Christian" Ice Corral---a building that collapsed during construction...on a Sunday. An 'act of God'? The only player it would have been more devestating to lose for this period of time? Carey.
Did anyone notice that on the same day as Markov is shipped back to Montreal from a Toronto surgical floor, Kyle Chipchura's shoulder is deemed to be up to the pounding?
Will the 1st Round 2004 Draft Pick ever redeem Trevor Timmins and Bob Gainey who chose him 2 selections higher than Travis Zajac? Please note there were only 3 centres selected in the '04 Opening Round. Chipchura is 2nd among them in career nhl goals with 4---that's 4 more than Rob Shremp has scored since bouncing from the Oilers to the Islanders' wasteland. The other C? Malkin's turned out alright (139 regular season+playoff goals).
Don't you love it when Villains turn Good Guy? Mike Komisarek tossed the goat horns aside to rush from the Leafs' room to a hospital bedside after the Canadiens took advantage of his over-enthusiasm for 2 powerplay goals and an OT win Opening Night. "The D-Man Formerly Known as Komi-saurus" rushed to be with his good friend, ex-teammate and ex-roommate Andrei Markov.
How do the Canadiens replace Andrei Markov? It's D-Men by Committee. O'Byrne and Gorges will get more icetime. Spacek and Hamrlik could be a comfortable fit---they're joking already that Jaro plays better when speaking Czech than Russian with his defense partner. Yannick Weber's time may come as a powerplay specialist.
Don't you love Jacques Martin's cool in the face of the injury fire? He points to the Penguins benefitting from a half-season of fresh Gonchar. The Devils winning without Brodeur. And the Hurricanes' Cup win with 3 pairs of non-allstar D-men.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Do the Canadiens now have too many leaders to choose just 1 captain?
Are the "bleu, blanc, blind" leading the blind? I know the Canadiens put on blindfolds to learn trust among teammates going through obstacle courses at Teen Ranch, but no Captain to start the season?
Gregory Stewart let it slip that some players went BOWLING on their last nite at Teen Ranch, then "had a few pops." Doesn't he or Jacques Martin remember what happened last season after bowling-for-bonding?! Carbo does. He didn't want to use the 'b-word' then and he probably hasn't gone bowling since. May never again.
Sergei's "upper body injury" goes from ringing in the ears to Waldo-itis? Maybe Bob Gainey can ask Belarus President Lukashenko to step in. If the iron-fisted prez can declare a truce between Little Brother Serge and Mikhail Grabovski, maybe he can bring Gainey and Kostitsyn's agent together.
MARTIN HAS HIS TEAM
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Mathieu Carle was part of a boisterous celebration following Habs Day 2 at Teen Ranch in Caledon, Ontario. Hours after posing with the "Stanley Milk Cup", a silver antique milking jug to honour the Canadiens' 3-on-3 shinny winners, Carle was sent off into the sunset with the Bulldogs.
And the C goes to....Metro? Glen Metropolit gave me a spoof acceptance speech when I asked him about the C taped to his chest during the last half of practise. He's a hard-working grunt but readily admits he's not the guy. Hello Brian Gionta?
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Do the Als only need 1 day of practise per week the rest of the way?
I thought the stupid question was worth asking Avon Cobourne after his career-best rushing performance against the Ti-Cats. He laughed. The little big man had already asked Coach Trestman in the minutes after the game that puts the Als at 10-2.
Did you hear John Bowman's answer to Ed Philion's attempt to launch the Shea Emry Defense Fund? Bowman admitted in a burst of honesty that he would NOT chip in to pay Emry's fine for decking former teammate Terrence Edwards of Winnipeg.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Wayne's now The Vanishing One? Gretzky could make the NHL thrive in Ste. Eustache, let alone Quebec City if Balsillie could only buy the Coyotes.
Do you shudder that if Earl Jones had asked Bettman for a team, the NHL might be in Boca?
How much does Jim Popp love NASCAR? The Als GM's new addition is Ella-Rae DANICA!
Could Child #6 not even be the best transaction of the week for Popp? Shawn Mayne and Riall Johnson for a 4th-string QB gives depth, and neither of these CFL vets needs a 4-a.m. feeding.
Mayne tells me after the Als' humiliation of the Bombers, he heard about a trade bringing former fellow Vanier CEGEP Cheetah star Jabari Arthur to Winnipeg. "We're teammates again," Mayne shouted, proving misery loves company. Soonafter, Mayne called Arthur again---"Sorry Bro, but I've been traded."
Do Sergei K's ears ringing count as "upper body injury"? Jacques Martin scolded his brooding Belarus talent, who found the cure only 24 hours later at the Bell Centre.
Don't you love a boss who'll give credit where credit is due? Julien Brisebois tells me Bulldogs coach Guy Boucher sold him on signing Erik Neilson. Boucher coached Neilson when he was bodyguard, roommate and sometimes linemate for a 16-year old man-boy named Crosby. "Natural leader" is how Boucher describes Neilson. He'll also push Gregory Stewart, even while the Bulldogs are in Scotland.
Do you think Patrice Brisebois realizes he doesn't get to 1,000 games unless Bob Gainey blasts the "gutless bastards...yellow people"? Breezer was rarely "Breeze-by" after that.
What's your favorite quote? "I'm not worried about Shea Emry's reputation..." Marc Trestman. Or "I'll use it as fuel on the fire," Shea Emry after being fined by the CFL.
Did you hear Plek's reaction when I asked my Stupid Question of the Day about returning Vertigo to its exalted status as Bell Centre Goal Song? "They used that 2 years ago, didn't they?" Yes, Plek, a very good season for you. "Then let's go with that this year!"
THEN THERE WERE 31
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Don't you want to see Adrian McPherson run something more than the prevent offense?
Don't you love Ed Philion's description of #5's running style: "his feet never touch the ground." That's how smooth he glides. Now, can't we see him throw?
How does Michael Bishop slack off like that? He burns a timeout 4th quarter and nonchalants it over to his recievers only to make his coach come all the way across midfield to talk to him! Bombers are a bad joke and it ain't funny no more.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
If a 'C' falls to a Russian, does anybody hear him say "it's not the time to say 'Nyet'"? As Andrei once said to me so bluntly: "Gimme break!" I can't believe the team offered him the job.
I believe Jacques Martin when he says he's waiting for leadership styles to emerge.
Mike Cammalleri says Markov's a quiet leader and Hall Gill's a vocal rah-rah guy, and you need them both in the room to win the Stanley Cup. Don't you love that Cammalleri is talking about the prize?
WHO WILL WEAR THE "C"?
WHO WILL WEAR THE "C"?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Hey CFL officials: have your pagers gone off yet to call back Cobourne's winning touchdown yet?
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Weren't you struck by Geoff Molson's ease and grace handling the moment in the voice-cracking emotional lightning clap of George Gillett's passing the torch? The man I've called "Beer Santa" for years (but never to his face...I have to tell him why before I tell you) will be the perfect inheritor of the ownership robe. How can you not pull for a guy who's favorite Hab of the 70's was Steve Shutt?
The first Tony Proudfoot Award will be handed out by the Als Alumni this afternoon, and I'm sworn to secrecy on the first winner but isn't it time you stop what you are doing and join Team Proudfoot and posted a note to the A.L.S. Society Mosaic (more details at CJAD.com)? Claudine Cook directs a fantastic team and your donation will be deeply appreciated.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Habs rookies were totally overshadowed by about 16 veteran players on Day 2 of Rookie Camp.
How does Jacques Martin crack a whip without even holding one in his hands...or even lacing up his skates?
Don't you think this is what they should be telling Habs Rookies if they want "The Real Deal on How to Deal?":
1) when a reporter says 'this is off the record...its off the record until he can embarrass you all the more with it.
2)Chez Paree is NOT the Ballet.
3) anyone offering free access to fast cars and faster women could be mobbed up.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Does that have as much chance of succeeding as does going to the UN to roll back a Honduran coup?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Happy trails, Habs fans! Martin's done it before with his Senators squad...and the Ice Corral at "Teen Ranch" in Caledon Ontario has also welcomed the Leafs and Panthers. We won't hold that against them.
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Will the Als bye-week break slow them down in the 2nd half? Not a chance. By the way, I expect Skip Seagraves to be the starter at tackle when the Als hit the Dome in Vancouver Labour Day Weekend. I know Luc Brodeur-Jourdain held his own when Josh Bourke was injured, but the emergency patch-work on o-line also precipitated 2 other moves with Flory and Parrett. Seagraves could be starting on some other CFL clubs but as with so many other lineman in the CFL---has the wrong passport.
KOVALEV ROLLS THE DICE
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Is Shea Emry ALREADY the most dominant middle linebacker the Als have had since their return in '96?
After proving in Winnipeg that Coach Trestman believes in the Mercy Rule, don't you love that he's also honed his Killer Instinct going for it on 3rd Down?
If Josh Bourke's knee injury is serious, the Als will have to consider activating Skip Seagraves and that forces a ratio change of an American for a Canadian elsewhere.
What did the standout protector of AC's blind side have planned for his bye-week break before injury rehab reared its ugly head? Bourke was hoping for TLC at "Club Mom" in Tecumseh, Ontario (the boonies outside of Windsor).
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
If Plaxico Burress and Michael Vick were on the same team, would the recession be over for defense lawyers? Is there no telling who'd be hurt in the carnage next? Imagine how much time Burress would have to serve if he brought his gun to Vick's kennel?
If Coach Trestman gave you the full week off for CFL Bye Week, would you go to "Club Mom"? That's what Josh Bourke is doing. Yes he's got a list of chores but AC's bodyguard at left tackle insists Momma Bourke knows he needs his rest too.
Scoffing at Trestman's show of faith by giving his players 6 full days of r&r? Too easy to do when the Als are 6-1? Coach Trestman told the players of his plan a month ago. Give them more leash and they prove they can handle it.
The Als may be stuck in the middle of the pack for penalties, but isn't this an amazing tribute to O-line and AC's quickness getting rid of the football: The Als have taken only 5 infractions for holding and delay of game compared to 12 for their opponents. Another indication of the domination along Als o-line and D-line.
Has Ben Cahoon's head changed from all that banging over 900+ regular-season catches? No but his helmet has. A CJAD listener asked me if Ben's changed helmets. Sure enough, Velcro Hands admits he's gone old-school with the headgear. The lower extension under the ear-hole on his helmet the last two seasons interfered with his vision and kept clunking his facemask into his shoulder pad. Thankfully Ben's not so old school that he wants back to the leather helmet days.
Is Scott Flory's son the next Waterboy? The allstar Al's son is underage on a West Island minor football team, so now that regular season is underway, Ty Flory has switched from runningback to waterboy and kicker's 't' carrier. If we could all have the five-year old's enthusiasm for being part of a team.
Ever hold onto a loaner book so long you're embarrassed to return it? Dave Stubbs of the Gazette lent me a book about the California Seals last spring and I've finally finished. My rubber-necker fascination with Gilles Meloche and the Seals sprung from seeing them eternally damned to the bottom of the GAA charts when Ken Dryden ruled. Classic story of how losing spirals...a Seals captain quoted as saying after being outscored in the first period of their opening game: "1 down, 239 periods to go."
Are you surprised to see Andrei Markov's banner up now where Kaptain Koivu used to be on the Bell Centre?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Need another character witness, Dog Killa? Als reciever Brian Bratton says he's not surprised at all that Vick is back in the NFL and fully expects his former Falcons teammate to return to form. Vick helped Bratton go from NFL training camp "intern" (can you say "personal gofer"?) to Atlanta pass-catcher.
If there was any justice, wouldn't Vick have to face the Browns---in Cleveland's Dawg Pound?
Who is the fastest Alouette? Bratton tells me it is NOT Larry Taylor or Andrew Hawkins, the kick-return speedsters. He figures in a straight-ahead dash it would be Chip Cox or Mark Estelle from the defense.
So what role was Proudfoot playing in that last Alouettes shutout back in '76? "I was out with a knee injury," recalls Dr. Proudfoot, PhD. Think of it...last time the Als D shut someone out, the "StapleGun" wasn't even the StapleGun and Olympic Stadium hadn't even welcomed Marv Levy's troops yet.
Aren't you glad the Habs are bringing D'Agostini and Stewart back? They'll have to earn their ride, too. One year deals. Two-way contracts.
Could you catch a football with oven mitts on? Eric Wilson confirms to me that he's sticking with his defensive gloves and the usual tape job that ties his ring finger to his pinkie. No, not trading in the mittens for Cahoon's "Cutter" reciever gloves. Didn't even get to sit in on the reciever corps meetings this week. Just back to his "day-job" on D-line until the next short yardage set calls for The Human Humidor to spring back to work. Gotta love an old school, 2-way player who insists on wearing #69 even after he got married in the offseason.
Why does Anwar Stewart call Jamel Richardson "Houdini"? The Als' likeable D-end tells me "that's a story for another time." I'll hold you to that Anwar.
Will Coach Trestman ease curfew since a 9PM beddy-bye time resulted in the Als' first loss of the season out in Edmonton? Sorry, nighthawks. 11PM curfew in The Peg. Did I say "curfew"? I meant "suggestion" from Coach.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
How bout we just ask them to bring down the Big Owe after the Grey Cup parade in November? That's a demolition job we'd all pay to see.
Is this veteran experience? Bumped into Sanchez and Boulay at Dundee's after the game and asked if either of them got caught up in the postgame nonsense the Argos tried to stir up. Boulay admitted he was right there in the mix. Sanchez? "Get to the room!" was his candid advice. The last thing you'd want is someone getting coldcocked by a demoralized and vengeful Argo.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Shouldn't Sidney Crosby's birthday be a provincial holiday for Nova Scotia, now?
Are the Als going to put Snoop Dogg on their secret "Neg List"? Jim Popp was at Baltimore Ravens camp when Ray Lewis introduced Mr. Dogg to his teammates. Snoop led the players in their "woof-woof" huddle chant. They won't make the Super Bowl this year but they've got the inside track on the Dogg Bowl, I guess.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
If the Als went to bed so early on the eve of the Eskimos game, how come they showed up so late?
Will Edmonton be the last 9PM curfew for Trestman's Angels?
Sorry, that wasn't a curfew---it was a "friendly suggestion" from Coach, as one player told me on the field during warmup at Commonwealth.
At 4-1 are the Als really that much better than last season's club which was 2-3 after 5 games? Yes because they've proven they can beat quality opponents and no-one can downgrade their victories by suggesting they've come against softies like the Argos, Cats and Blue Bombers.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Are the Als 4-0 or 0-4? Anwar Stewart says by the way Coach Trestman and his staff are "nitpicking" you wouldn't be able to tell. And that's a good thing. Anwar says this is a good Alouettes team that has the possibilities and the talent to be a "great team."
Could Anwar Stewart really be the biggest threat Anthony Calvillo has faced this season?
Anwar delights in telling me AC has won the "Worst Dressed Man" award this roadtrip. He arrived in Edmonton wearing a 'pineapple shirt with corduroy slacks and mountain hiking shoes' reports the Als veteran d-end. "AC tells us his wife helped dress him and she's upset," Stewart reveals. Who knew Bruno was the CFL Defensive Star of the Week?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Fathers...can you always keep in mind the importance of helping kids with their homework? Als D-coordinator Tim Burke tells me one of the biggest differences in Shea Emry this season is his studious preparation. His father (a football coach) studied film with the first-year starting middle linebacker in the offseason.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Is Downward TiCat an actual yoga position? John Bowman promises to make it so! The friendliest d-end this side of Anwar Stewart admits yoga classes at the MAAA have helped his balance this season. He and Stewie insist they weren't just in it for the view.
Earl Jones got you down? Sergei Federov claims he's been conned out of $43-million. AND he couldn't keep it together with Anna Kournikova? That's enough heartbreak for any man.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Wasn't Saskatchewan the perfect locale for the Als on Retro 60's Weekend? Now that we're back home I realize how many "Retro" bazoos are still rusting away on the roads of Regina.
I told you about AC's toughest decision ever in pro football...hear about his toughest contract negotiation ever? Coming off the Grey Cup win of 2002, Calvillo hid a painful leg injury that limited his effectiveness though did not prevent him from earning MVP honours. Agent Gil Scott turned that into a tryout with the NFL's Steelers but AC did not test well in Pittsburgh because of the injury. I'm told the deal to return to Montreal only got hammered out after Anthony put the hammer to his agent and fired him. If only Alex the Artist had done likewise this summer!?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Poised for another milestone of Hall of Fame proportions (#2 Alltime TD passes), what do you think Anthony Calvillo says was his toughest decision in pro football? Only the decision to come to Montreal in the first place!
After a quick stretching routine in Regina on the eve of the Riders' game (AC tells me his teammates are teasing him about the retro jerseys the Als will wear---"Hey AC, was this the uniform you wore when you were a rookie?") the future Canadian Football Hall of Famer admitted to me that he did some serious soul-searching for a week before agreeing to be a backup in Montreal over the chance to keep starting in Saskatchewan.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Who says defensive football is boring? Billy Parker the rookie halfback is fun to watch getting physical with rival recievers as the covers them step-for-step. Shea Emry's had his share of the breaks but he's putting the brakes to enough opponents' drives with his hustle. Keron Williams made mischeif repeatedly with help from his friends Eric "The Humidor" Wilson, Anwar Stewart, John Bowman and Jermaine McElveen.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Doesn't Saku deserve a season of California Dreamin'?
Could there be a Koivu Conspiracy Theory? I have absolutely no evidence...just a weird gut feeling and a paranoid mind (and just because I'm feeling paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get our Habs!) If Gainey was willing to offer Kovalev a raise and a 2-year deal to stay, I find it hard to believe he didn't think Saku at a paycut would still be good for the Habs. Could it be Mr. Gainey and The Kaptain came to an understanding...that Saku felt it was time to move on and Gainey would cover his back from the flak attack? When failing hands have already been unfairly scorched over the years, its what you'd want your boss to do for you.
Don't you think all those kids Saku's helped and supported and encouraged are wondering why #11 is going?
Wasn't that Saku and Selane Show supposed to be on home ice here!?
Isn't Anthony Calvillo proof you CAN teach an old dog new tricks? AC ran decisively and with vigor and determination vs. the Stampeders. He thanks a growing support network of offseason training and a machine called the HI-Trainer, that's being spearheaded by Brian Robinson and marketed by Emmanuelle Rondeau...a local success story that could take off as their training machine wins more and more converts in the pro sports world.
if William Perry, Bears DT was "The Refrigerator" then Eric Wilson, Als DT/Jumbo Set Fullback and cigar afficionado will have to be "The Humidor."
Wilson tells me he was teasing Chip Cox that he'd let the Als' #11` scoop up a loose football in Calgary just cuz he wanted Cox to have the opportunity to dash to the endzone.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
How much time does it take to say "Da" to $10-mill over 2 more years? Alex Kovalev says Bob Gainey didn't give him enough time? Gainey it could and should be argued gave The Artist all too much time. Time to perfect his disappearing act, as it turns out.
Can't figure out who the next captain is? I love that Jacques Martin may not even put it to a vote in the Habs room.
Is not having an obvious selection to wear the C proof of a Leadership Deficit? No but it is one of my symptoms of Post Traumatic Koivu Departure Syndrome.
Are Gainey's moves studs or duds? 76-% of CJAD listeners on our Sportspoll question still lean to the "In Bob we Trust" side of the debate. Afterall, is breaking up this team such a bad thing after winning how many playoff games in the Spring?
"Hey aren't you Mathieu Dandenault?" Had the opportunity to share right-field with #25 at the ALS Society of Quebec Celebrity softball game last week. He got an offer while to move while we were in the dugout. But Dandenault makes no secret---he'd like to stay in Montreal. I just don't think that's going to happen.
What did Felipe Alou do to discipline his son Moises when the Expos' manager caught the star slugger breaking curfew? "Nothing...he never caught me," laughed Moises when I asked him at Jarry Park last week.
Are you old enough to remember that Fall of '73 when the crowds swelled so greatly that bleacher bums like me were allowed to grab the chain-link fence in right-field for Montreal's baseball equivalent of Standing Room Only? It happened. Just wish I still had the handfull of gravel I scooped up from the warning track!
Magic says MJ made him a better basketball player? Rev. Sharpton thanks Michael for helping get Obama elected? Sure...and the Artist Formerly Known as Alex thinks the Senators can win the Stanley Cup!
GAINEY WORKS PLAN TO PERFECTION
GAINEY WORKS PLAN TO PERFECTION
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Is that why Brian Burke was grinning that Grinch-like grin at the Draft last Friday...cuz he knew he was opening the vault for the Koma-saurus?
Are you willing to forgive Hal Gill his status as ex-Bruin and ex-Leaf for a glimpse of his Penguins ring?
Can Komasaurus suddenly make peace with Mikhail Grabovski?
Who is the next C? If Kovalev's not coming back, and even if he is, doesn't Josh Gorges strike you as the best character guy in that dressing room? Josh was a captain in junior and my other choice would have been Francis Bouillon---only he may only get a 'hometown discount' offer too!
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Was Higg living or partying on borrowed time in Montreal ever since the day Carbo stripped him of the A for assistant captain and gave it to Komisarek? To his credit Carbo never made a big deal about it. But now you've got to wonder.
I'm not crazy about the Gomez for Higgins deal, largely because I think Higgins is capable of a big bounce-back season but mostly because of the defense prospects tossed in. I'm fine spending the Mo-Bros money though, and I'm thrilled for Higg's Dad and his brother who works the beat just blocks north of Madison Square Garden patrolling Times Square for NYPD.
GOOD-BYE CAPTAIN K
GM Bob Gainey does not extend contract offer to Saku Koivu
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
If Koivu's really out of the Habs' future, will Mike Komisarek be the new captain?
Why can't I help thinking of how Koivu's departure from this team will effect the 7th and 8th floors of the Montreal Childrens let alone the ice-level of the Bell Centre?
Was I stunned when Bob Gainey discreetly noted that offers to Komisarek and Kovalev meant no pre-July 1 deal swing Saku's way? There had been warning signs but hear it coming from Mr. Gainey just an hour or so after Hockey Canada named Jean Beliveau an honourary captain for the Olympic Hockey team...it reminds us leadership and character are always in short supply.
If you go on my first impression of Guy Boucher there is no doubt he'll be a head coach in the NHL some day. He agrees with Trevor Timmins that Gabriel Dumont who he coached in Drummondville will make it to the NHL some way, too. Not to rush a rookie coach in the pros but I won't be surprised to see Boucher make it before the Habs' 5th Rd Draft pick over the weekend.
If Gainey's talking about a deal that could re-open a spot on the roster for Koivu, does that mean Plekanec is being dangled out there? I hope not because Plek is going to have as big a bounce-back season as Komisarek and Carey Price.
Are the Als making a big mistake expecting Shea Emry to the Monster in the Middle of the Als D? No because in their scheme he doesn't have to be a monster. He'll be the first Canadian starter at that position since Glen Young if my memory serves, and Young ended a full season as a high-priced free agent without a single Sack! I do love the fact Emry bristled and burned with anger when asked about starting the season in Calgary. I want my middle-linebackers snarly and nasty.
Anybody suspicious about this doctor who was sleeping at Michael Jackson's house before the weirdo pop icon's untimely death? I mean...the doctor was older than 12, so was it really on MJ's invite? And has Bubbles been accounted for?
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
Didn't I tell you the Habs would make Lecavalier a happy man over Draft Weekend? Too bad it was Philippe Lecavalier, not Vinnie. That's the agent for the most wildly cheered selection of Round 5--Gabriel Dumont. Don't be thinking at 5'9" that Gainey was playing the race card. Trevor Timmins says Dumont WILL find his way to the NHL. "I tell ya he's a heart and soul player," raves the Director of Player Development. "He went through the playoffs and into the Memorial Cup with 1 shoulder. This young man is gonna find a way to play in the NHL---I really believe. We love his passion, his drive, his attitude. He's a deceptive skater...better than a lot of people give him credit for." And that includes Dumont himself...he says "I got trouble with my skating."
Did it really matter that the Canadiens made the last pick of the draft? Timmins insists it did, that his European scouts were going crazy for Petteri Simila, only the Habs' 2nd prospect in the crease who'll fill alot of net with height over 6'5"!
When the Sutter Brothers get Jay Bouwmeester to settle down in Calgary will they claim family reasons? And will that mean the Queen's family? As in...the family that's on all those dollar bills?
Isn't your Habs' Heart hurting already? Joonas Nattinen says he'd be heartbroken if Saku Koivu is not his captain when he shows up in September for his first NHL training camp. I don't care that the job openings at center on the depth chart can ease him in all the quicker. Saku would be the ideal role model for him. But I'm no longer optimistic Koivu will be at the Canadiens' Centennial December 4th.
Habs scouts think Alexander Arvtsin could play with the Hamilton Bulldogs this coming season. Then agani, they think that of Pavel Valentenko too! Good news is Arvtsin sounds determined to prove himself in North America. And isn't it appropriate that at a time when Serge Savard is a figure in the shadows of the Mo-Bros era, the Canadiens are again trying to heat up hockey's Cold War again.
Not the worst crime of the Soviet era, but for Habs fans? Le Senateur reminded me this week that the Soviet Hockey KGB--I mean Hockey Federation-- told the then Habs GM Vladislav Tretiak wasn't interested in coming to the NHL. Of course they never told Tretiak that.
Will I see you at the ALS Society Classic at Jarry Parc July 2nd with Tony Proudfoot, Vinnie Damphousse and the Alou's? Hope so.
I'll be in Calgary for a Happy Canada Day, so let's hope Cahoon, Calvillo and Company have the fireworks for CJAD!
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Did I just worsen George Gillett's "upper body injury"? Hope not. Sorry Mr. Gillett. The outgoing Canadiens owner was the face of mixed emotions when the thanked the Mo-Bros for "coming along at exactly the right time". Gillett gave the thumbs up as he told fans in Montreal "je vous aime!"
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
I'm spying on the Canadiens' draft table at the Bell Centre right now. I see 2 phones, 2 power chord extensions and 1 laptop, but no memoes face up saying "Confirm trade, then introduce Vinnie."
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Me? I'd take Anna of course. Not for the eye-candy...only because even though I know I wouldn't like her answers, at least I'd know she was being perfectly honest with me!
Will Trevor Timmins feel any pressure from 'home ice disadvantage' on Draft Weekend? Not on your life. The mandate remains 'best player available'....Habs fans headed to the Bell Centre, leave your race cards and language cards at home...this is all about the Hockey cards.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Does clearing out Bulldogs coaches including Don Lever mean no more extra-spicies from Mommesso's?
If Chris Jennings makes the Alouettes do you know why they'll have Donovan McNab to thank? The rookie prospect for the 2nd straight Training Camp Fort St. Jean spent his offseason in Arizona working out with McNab and some other NFL vets. The running-back once given only a brief look by the Cleveland Browns says emotional toughness and focus off the field were the biggest lessons McNab taught him. Jennings ran against the Argos like he wants to be No. 1 in the backfield at some point this season. I wouldn't put it past him.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
If the Habs didn't feel compelled to go the obvious route in hiring their new coach, are you as confident as I am they won't feel fan or media pressure on Draft Days next week?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Why do so many Crosby-bashers who say 'Sid's a whiner' come off sounding like whiners themselves? I've got no problem with Crosby getting carried away with the Cup and failing to shake hands with Wings. If that's the harshest thing he's done at 21, he's doing fine.
Did you hear Vincent Lecavalier tell my buddy Abe Hefter "...of course..." when asked if he'd accept Montreal as a trade destination? Man they must have been serving
Stroke of luck or stroke of genius? Marc-Andre' Fleury was brilliant thanking the hockey gods after that puck struck his cross-bar. Hey...red metal---a goalie's friend, right?
Wonder if my 2nd-favorite goalie from the 70's Gilles Meloche can accept that Fleury didn't stick to his butterfly to rob Lidstrom in the final seconds? That old-school flop to take the shot off the shoulder was classic.
You don't think the Pittsburgh Pirates are feeling any pressure now do you? That parade route won't be needed in October for World Series, that's for sure.
Have I ever made a career decision for money? No. So I can appreciate Hossa taking less money to play for the Wings not the Pens, but I love that delicious irony.
No I don't think the Penguins can repeat next season. Just too many things fell into place for their dream run.
Once Talbot scored the first goal I said he'd score another goal in that fateful game 7. I've got witnesses.
Have you ever sat through a full day at work with a wet shirt? I did Monday after losing for the 5th straight year at the Jabbarr Challenge Cup. Jabbarr Charles is an amazing young man who wanted to prove to me that the kids from Mackay Centre School can do astounding things. They can fly in the pool! And once again the young swimmers swept virtually every one of two dozen races against the CJAD Swim Team.
Through Episode 4 on Spike TV's "4th & Long" with Michael Irvin, Alouettes prospect Andrew Hawkins is very much in the mix. Which only proves you're only as good as your last carry or your last tribal council.
FYI: my favorite goalie of the '70's has his jersey hanging from the rafters @ Centre Bell, but Meloche was always my #2 of the era because I felt pity for the goalie who saw that much rubber...year in and year out languishing at the bottom of the GAA stats lists that Dryden led every year. Which reminds me I'm long overdue for a burger from Gilles' place down the street from CJAD at Notre Dame & Charlevoix.
LECAVALIER'S SUMMER OF DISCONTENT
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
As if the Habs need any more media circus attention, wouldn't you worry Peladeau would insist on a Hab frontpage of the Journal EVERY DAY?
Since the Labour Solidarity Fund is involved (yes, they're playing with some of my retirement money) do you think the NHLPA will have to learn the words to "So-so-so Solidarite'"?
Are you surprised Tom Kostopoulos and I are calling Penguins in Game 7? TK was thrilled to see Rob Scuderi come up with those key saves in Game 6. Scuderi, Orpik and Fleury are about the only Penguins left from the likeable potential Habs free agent's stint in Steelville.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day?
Isn't it time to give Tony Proudfoot the Order of Canada? It's comforting to see Coach Proudfoot having input at coaches' meetings at Training Camp Fort St. Jean. Tony's deep into film meetings and the Als can't help but be inspired by his presence and smartened by his clever perspective on CFL defense.
Where have I been these last few weeks? Sorry, but I was taken hostage by the Blackflies of Mosquito Lake near Morin Heights. My first vacation in ages I have a nightmare about missing a Habs' team flight and screwing up on interview with Scotty Bowman while he racks up a wild hotel room service bill on my tab...only to lose my wallet! lol.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day?
GAINEY GETS HIS MAN
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Instead, the pugnacious coach felt the sting that Guy Carbonneau did last spring. First-place in the NHL East to Second Round Exit.
Why doesn't anyone think Alexander Ovechkin makes his teammates better? Don't think Green had extra time to tee up his pointshots with the Gr8 One at the other point? Don't think that's why Sergei Federov is still playing?
I still don't believe any team will EVER repeat as Stanley Cup champs in the Salary Cap Era. This includes the Red Wings. Know where that lucky McGill tie is, Coach Babcock?
What tastes better: crow or Dolphin? NFL star Jason Taylor ordered up a big dish of both this week, agreeing to a Miami homecoming at $1.5 mill a year after he REJECTED the Fish's offer of $8.5 mill. (Will someone please tell NFL fans and sportswriters the dolphin is a mammal and not a fish?)
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Will I see you at the Stanley Cup Parade in St. Lazare Saturday? I can't wait to tell Mark Messier how he got me in the doghouse on my Wedding Night and how he'll get me in the doghouse again this weekend when I celebrate my 25th Anniversary. Mark's 25th too. Anniversary of his first Cup win, that is.
Is this a compliment? I played some of Jonathan Roy's new music on the Ric Peterson Show Wednesday and Ric rates it "not as bad as Villeneuve".
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Isn't this the Year of the Ox? How come Johan Franzen is turning it back into Year of the Mule?
Didn't Malkin in Game 3 of the Cros-vechkin Series make you think of Kovalev on fast-forward?
Man-Ram was on a female fertility pill? I don't think he wanted to cheat---he wants to get pregnant! Man-Dam could be at high risk for needing a Man-zier! For $8-mill in lost salary, Man-Cheat's performance enhancer had better have improved his stamina between the sheets, cut his time mowing the lawn, washed his car for him!
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Is Guy Carbonneau helping or hurting his own cause to return to the Habs' bench by saying he doesn't know why he was fired? I think he hurts it.
Don't you think Gary Bettman should be the World Wildlife Fund man of the year for thinking that Coyotes can survive in Phoenix? Even Georges Laraque says move them to Canada!
Since Ric Peterson challenged me to match Obama by taking my wife on a date for the first time in 100 days, I think I should win another 100 days grace...dinner with the Mrs. cost me a chance to see the Dueling Hat-tricks. Love that Crosvechkin Show! I hope that series goes 7.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Early Warning symptom: If you're a garage league goalie and you have the urge to put your CH water-bottle on top of your barbeque instead of ontop of your net...you could be suffering from Habs withdrawal.
Stage 2 symptom: if you find yourself washing the car this weekend and realize you're using the Canadiens' Car Flag on the hubcaps.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Are you glad Plek and Higg are still struggling to rack up points for their teams at Worlds? Would have been a shame see them bust out AFTER the playoffs are done.
Isn't Ovechkin your obvious pick for NHL MVP? The Caps are good but the GR8 One does not have the supporting cast Malkin and Datsyuk have.
For all Martin Brodeur's career accomplishments were you shocked to see the Devils' final minute meltdown in Round 1? Brodeur actually has a losing record in playoff overtimes, but that was stunning.
MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Of all the Patrick Roy moves Carey Price would emulate in Game 4 against the Bruins, did it have to be throwing the arms up in frustration?
If you're the prospective new owners of the Habs don't you think that command performance live from the Brossard Training Facility was so good, that GM should be hired?
Great to hear Mr. Gainey call out Brian Lawton for breaking his vows of secrecy in Vinnie trade talks, but how do you call Lawton back up now to get the deal done by Draft Day?
Or is Mr. Gainey now betting that Lawton's gone from his job long before Bob is?
I was hoping Carey would have a little more swagger in his remarks. Always softspoken, I was glad to hear his self-deprecating sense of humour still come through. But Carey, you DON'T have 21,000 bosses. You only have one. Mr. Gainey! Don't let the fans get to you. They've booed Beliveau and Dryden long before the Forum ghosts abandoned you.
I hope Koivu-haters don't use his family reflection time against him. Doesn't the captain deserve to make the right decision on his own time?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
I have to believe Bob Gainey has a plan to deal with the UFA's and the RFA's but I didn't expect him to create a new category "ROA"'s, did you?
Rude Obnoxious A--holes?! I know to quote him most accurately Mr. Gainey was referring to fans in LA but you KNOW he was scolding the boors of the Bell Centre for tossing debris on the ice and hurling jeers at Carey Price.
How many of the UFA's do you really want back? Without a serious hometown discount, I'm down to The Captain, The Artist (CJAD's Murray Wilson revealing a serious charlie-horse slowed Kovalev down this season) and I'd take Francis Bouillon and Mathieu Schneider any time. TK too.
If the Habs lose Plek as an RFA, do you think he comes back to haunt like Michael Ryder?
Hey Hockey Gods, time to take the voodoo needles out of the dolls, don't you think? Latendresse going down to injury in the final minutes was a final reminder the Ghosts of the Forum have been hanging around with the Marquis de Sade.
Even I have to admit to hating it when the CJAD Mighty Yuks have a homegame later into the spring than the Habs. We've got icetime this Saturday night when I was counting on being back in Boston. Should I unpack now?
Do you really believe a pre-draft deal for Vinnie is coming? I'm cool with that.
Wasn't Josh Gorges a joy to watch this season? He was also always a joy to talk to.
Bob Gainey told me in defense of Carey that he feels the Cowboy goalie has done things at 21 that even Mr. Gainey himself could not, or even Martin Brodeur. "Patience and belief" he appealed for on CJAD before the game. That didn't last 40 minutes in Game 4 for some fickle fans.
In closing out our final edition of the Dagwood's Postgame Show after only the 2nd-ever Bruins 4-game sweep of the Habs, my boss Mike Bendixen suggested closing out the show with the Coldplay track that welcomes the players and Centennial flagbearers onto the ice. Turns out "Fix You" is a haunting song that earily mirrors the Canadiens' 100th season. Please tell me that Mr. Gainey will not feel guilted or pressured by the ROA's to give up fixing the Habs.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Doesn't this qualify as Understatement of the Year? Bob Gainey asked between Games 3 and 4 about the injuries compounding like he's never seen before...."I've had a few challenging years. So how I rate them 1 to 10 I don't know. Maybe David Letterman can help me with that!"
Were you surprised as I was that Gainey stuck with Carey for Game 3? It didn't cost the Habs the game but it sure makes me wonder if Jaro is trade-bait for something come Draft Weekend.
MORAL VICTORY FOR HABS
Canadiens hang tough in opening-game 4-2 loss to Bruins
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Truth is Bob Gainey was staring us down at his recent Gainey Foundation event at the Bell Centre. We felt compelled to pick a Hab. When I suggested to my buddy Pierre Normandeau that I'd pull Plek aside in Boston for a 1-on-1 meeting...Pierre shoots back "can you make it a 2-on-1 so he remembers what a 2-on-1 is?!"
I really think Plek can bust out.
I told you about Patrice Brisebois being one of the few active Canadiens players to score on overtime playoff goal but do you know who he beat for it?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Why am I not discouraged after losing Game 1? Because the Habs competed hard and could have won that game. Besides, we got those Bruins right where we want them. Last 2 times Canadiens dropped the first game in Boston, they stormed back in the series. Check it---'04 and '94!
Bruins D-man Andrew Ferrence is donating half his playoff bonus to a Boston-area grassroots environmental group. Guess we have to hope that's a small donation!? Don't you wish he was golfing by Earth Day?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Why do so many Habs fans I know think I’m drinking ‘bleu blanc rouge koolaid’ for calling “Habs in 7”? Cuz that’s all I know. When I joined Murray Wilson in the CJAD broadcast booth for my debut it was the ’04 Canadiens vs. Bruins—Bear-hunting done in 7. Jose’ capped the comeback with his first career playoff shutout. Last season, the only other Habs-Bruins series I’ve called the play-by-play on: Bruins done in 7. Carey capped it with his 2nd shutout off the series.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Is the "Buzzcut Boyz 2" sequel about to be unveiled by Josh Gorges and Tom Kostopoulos? The Men With Sheers for last spring's playoff stylings in the Habs room are still undecided on their postseason 'look' for '09. Ryan O'Byrne perhaps only half-jokingly suggests blonde dye-jobs. Don't know if Lord Stanley prefers blondes.
The recession has really hit the NHL hard now. The Tampa Lightning have laid off the mascot. What about the Ice Girls? Will any charity help them? What's next...trading Vinnie to Montreal to dump his salary?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
UNSUNG HEROES GET THEIR DUE
Lapierre and Kostopoulos finish 1-2 in balloting for Jacques Beauchamp Trophy
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
I don't think Bob Gainey regrets starting Carey Price at MSG but I wonder if he regrets not having the players on the ice for more than just the warmup skate.
That smell in the air here at MSG? Not the playoffs. Not the Habs' lack of effort from some quarters. It was the elephant droppings still pungeont in the building from the circus which returns to the rink after the Rangers tangle with the Flyers later this week.
KOVALEV LEADS THE CHARGE
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Metro's trying to help keep these kids off the straight and narrow through his charity program "Goals and Dreams." Crackhead druglord scum unfortunately are setting the goals and perverting the dreams of too many youth in his old 'hood.
UFA'S WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Congratulations Patrice Brisebois for being the Habs' Masterton Trophy nominee for dedication and perseverance. But could Breezer have been lobbying Bob to acquire Schneider just so #71 could avoid being the old man of the bunch? Seriously though, Brisebois has told me this morning that Bob Gainey's scolding of "the yellow people" who booed and howled at "Breez-by" not only changed his career around but also changed the mood for ALL the players in the Bell Centre.
GAINEY ROLLS FOUR LINES
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Find it odd that as Bob Gainey's asking his players to buy in, owner George Gillett is wondering if anyone's buying?
Do you like Andrew Carter's suggestion calling the Habs' top scoring line the Aspirin Line? Alex, Saku, Alex. ASA. That's aspirin and it is definitely causing goalies headaches. Guess they can all get along! Told ya!
Wanna share some top-secret criminal intelligence from my buddies at the RCMP? Here are some of the top clues if the Bleu Blanc Rouge Mobster Pasquale Mangiola buys in as a silent partner on the Habs:
1) Carey Price's water bottle spiked with Grey Goose.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
"Habs didn't heed the battle call,
against Grabovski's Leafs we did fall.
Canadiens' Sunday morning off -- cancelled by Bob.
Other than Max Lapierre...who's doing the job?!
How long, how long will we sing this song...'Carb-bo, Car-bo-o-oh.
"SUNDAY GAINEY SUNDAY, SUNDAY GAINEY SUNDAY."
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Then again, the Habs could use a Gainey or 2, couldn't they?
Is Glen Metropolit looking like more and more like Brian Smolinski?
Carey Price says it was weird to see some of the guys at Brossard watching Carbo's farewell news conference. Hey Cowboy Goalie, not half as weird as it felt for the ex-coach!
Don't you wish the Canadiens would sell their Green Maple Leaf throwback jersey in time for St. Patrick's Day? Something to look forward to in 2010.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
I asked Carey Price and he says "'if he's in his prime I'd take Patrick."
But I was surprised by the response when I asked #31 if he identified more with the Hall of Famer or the Future Hall of Famer.
"I was a standup growing up---I only learned the butterfly when I came here," says Price, explaining why the 'Standup-Guy' Brodeur was more his style.
Weren't you proud of the crowd Saturday for giving Brodeur his due? Did you really expect anything else? I did not. But I was fooled by the chant that went up with only a few minutes remaining in the game.
GAINEY: ".500 HOCKEY WON'T CUT IT."
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
The optics look bad, firing Guy Carbonneau in this the 100th season, but missing the playoffs would be far worse.
Didn't I tell you Carey Price was back in the saddle again? I'm not surprised. And enjoyed seeing that glib grin of his after the 3-1 victory over the Stars. Carey tells me he found his Cowboy Happy Place in part thanks to a night at the Rodeo in Fort Worth, Texas. Even bought himself a new pair of cowboy boots.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Have the Habs really gone from 'Win and Stay in' to 'Just Play Cranked and Don't Get Yanked'?
Could the loss in Atlanta really be a turning point...for the better? All around me fans and media off the record are suggesting the Habs will falter and could even fail to make the playoffs in the 100th Season. But if Carey Price returns to his A-game for the remainder of the season the 2-0 embarrassment to the Thrashers will have been that turning point.
GAINEY STAYS ON SIDELINES ON D-DAY
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Now that Ryan O'Byrne is back up and Kyle Chipchura is back down the Habs could be signalling they're pleased with Glen Metropolit.
Would have loved to see Mr. Gainey up the antee for Antoine Vermette from the Senators but Ottawa wouldn't have wanted to help a divisional rival.
GUERIN TRADE WINDS BLOW THROUGH MONTREAL
Veteran winger expected to be dealt by the NY Islanders
HABS DON'T HAVE TO GO FAR FOR LATEST ACQUISITION
Glen Metropolit crosses the floor prior to 4-3 win over Flyers
STEVE BEGIN GOES TO DALLAS VIA PHILADELPHIA
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
TOP 5 SIGNS NHL Security suspects league really is mobbed up:
5) Alternate Governor for GM's meetings is Paulie Walnuts.
4) Throwback striped jersey comes in black and white not "bleu, blanc, rouge" or pink.
3) Wiretap evidence catches coaches suggesting penalty-kill squad practise knee-capping.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Is the Russian Mob in a worse slump than the Habs? Shouldn't they have had the inside track on The Brothers?
Don't think Canadiens players live their lives in a fishbowl? You should have seen Friday's practise in Brossard. Easily 5 times as many fans as usual. What were they expecting Tony Soprano to run some drills?
Who do I feel most sorry for in all of this? Roman Hamrlik. Within hours of the guilt by association story was the talk of the City that is Hockey at least one tabloid site in Czech Republic committed character assasination with a glaring headline accusing their "Golden Boy from Nagano" (yes Roman was on that classic Gold medal team that Hacek stoned --bad choice of words--in the shootout) "dealing drugs for the Mafia." Why stop there guys, didn't Roman commit crimes against humanity?
HABS CENTENNIAL SEASON HANGS IN BALANCE
END OF THE LINE FOR KOVALEV?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
I believe Bob Gainey when he suggests the door is not closed on Kovalev's return to the lineup. While it is still highly likely that the assistant captain is shipped out via trade, it would NOT surprise to hear him adored and supported by the fans at the Bell Centre as soon as Saturday and rise to the occassion with a gamewinning goal.
If Andrei Kostitsyn is hurting because his brother has been demoted, hasn't Mr. Gainey taken care of that with the Kovalevian Hammer Job?
CANADIENS SHORE UP DEFENCE
HABS' WIN STREAK SNAPPED AT ONE
HABS FINALLY WIN ON THE ROAD
Snap seven-game road losing streak with a 4-2 win over Colorado
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Mathieu Dandenault gives a cagey answer---suggesting his wife knows how much he'd love to have the Cup again! Christopher Higgins claims its all Cup for him...says he hasn't bought anyone a Valentine's gift for years.
But I love Mad Max Lapierre. "Why not both!?" Genius, Maxim. Some women would love something shiny and silver at Valentine's.
A CRY FOR HELP
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Rediscover your scoring touch? Mathieu Dandenault racked up 227 points in Winning Habs Best Bowler, and wins a return to the lineup on the Kovalev line.
Josh Gorges teams up with Hamrlik and the Brothers Kostitsyn to win the team tournament and then Gorges wins a promotion to forward for the 1st time since he was a fresh-faced 16-year old rookie with Junior hockey's Kelowna Rockets? Never even played up front in peewee. Josh says his best move is "dump and chase." Beats blocking shots at the bowling alley, Josh.
CANADIENS AT THE CROSSROADS
Habs hit the road following humbling 5-2 setback to Leafs
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Thirty-eight of his 60 PIM’s have come in 3 games against the Habs. But I believe the Belarus Civil War is over.
Shouldn’t Georges Laraque have more penalty minutes than Alex Kovalev?
KOVALEV, CANADIENS, RESPOND AGAINST PENGUINS
SAY IT AIN'T SO, ALEX
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Why on earth was Josh Gorges allowed back on the ice in the 2nd period against the LA Kings. Forget about the giveaway that led to an LA go-ahead goal. Gorges insisted he was fine, never lost conciousness but after seeing him so wobbly-kneed after the dirty hit from Denis Gauthier, Murray Wilson and I were stunned to see Josh back on the ice.
LOSING STREAK SNAPPED A FOUR
HABS PICK UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF
Canadiens' drop their third straight, falling 5-3 in Tampa
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Just before gametime Sidney Crosby poked his head into the room and he had two sticks in his hands. Claude Julien could win a cameo appearance at just for laughs with this reaction: "If we go to shootout can I use him as a ringer?" (Prophetic words Coach, but you must have known you already had enough firepower!)
We know Kovie has great hands but do you think he could he was truly excited about winning great wheels? After 3 live TV interviews on ice, Alex wanted to stay out and get photos taken of himself sitting in the drivers' seat and leaning on the hood. That's when I caught up with him for CJAD and NHL Radio. He didn't want to get off the ice. I'm just surprised he didnt hop in and take it for a spin around the rink.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Will the Bell Centre roof blow off if Vinne Lecavalier replaces Sidney Crosby for the Opening Faceoff Sunday night with Kaptain Kovalev, Andrei Markov, Mike Komisarek and Carey Price?
Doesn’t Claude Julien deserve a diplomatic posting for this suggestion: he’ll let Guy Carbonneau give the pregame speech to the players before the game Sunday (5:45 live on CJAD 800). Coach Julien says it’s easy to put the Bruins-Canadiens rivalry aside for allstar weekend but the fans? Uh-uh. They booed Boston’s Blake Wheeler when he hit the ice at the Open Practise Saturday morning.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Was it just me or did Jaroslav Halak look like a goalie who knew his time was up?
Carey Price is looking forward to having two cousins and his Dad at the Allstar Game but his mom Linda Price may not be able to make it because of her work with BC First Nations. One cousin will be cheering for Carey---Keaton Ellerby an AHL Panthers prospect; another cousin will be shooting at Carey---Shane Doan of the Coyotes.
Slaves' hands, sweat and blood built that White House and so many African-Americans told me they never believed an African-American would EVER call it home. Parents told me they didn't even think their children would see it in their lifetimes. Don't you hope Obama never forgets that?
Doesn't Kurt Warner deserve another shot at Super Bowl glory? I'd love to see that. My CJAD football buddy Ed Philion played against Warner in NFL-Europe and Big #75 says he recalls Warner had the poise and the ability to "get the ball out quick".
Philion also crossed paths with the Argos' new D-coordinator Pete Kuharchik while with the World Bowl Champion Rhein Fire. If he's a good man by Ed, he's got to help the Argos recover from the Don of Disaster, Don Mathews Reign of Error in 2008.
I asked Alex Kovalev's Russian National Team roommate Ilya Kovalchuk if he's ever flown "Air Kovie"? "I like his skills, just not as a pilot...I prefer to fly Delta," shot back the Sniper of the South. Kovalev fires back when told of Ilya's parting shot..."At least I always bring it in on the runway...those airlines---they'll bring a plane down anywhere!" (Kovalev's tongue in cheek reference to the Miracle on the Hudson---at least I think it was tongue in cheek).
Happy Birthday Elmer Lach (Thursday)! The proud West Islander is the most senior member of the most glorious fraternity in hockey---Les Anciens des Canadiens. Tales of Elmer leaving the Leafs high and dry for a couple of hundred bucks fun money they gave him on a recruiting trip to TO are legend. But Elmer once told me he was pressured to join the Rangers before that, but sage advice from a fellow Saskatchewan NHLer warned him how tight New York was with a buck. When Lach's invite to a tryout came with a note saying "have your skates sharpened" he knew to look elsewhere for employment.
Hope to see you at Allstar Weekend...WILBA Basketball hosts a fun Skills Showcase between the Montreal Alouettes and CJAD 800. They've got skills, we'll help them showcase it! The fun starts at 2pm Sunday at John Rennie High. Good luck to all the teams and volunters throughout the weekend!!!!
CRUNCH TIME LOOMING FOR HABS' BRASS
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Too bad there aren't misconduct penalties for the idiot who suggested Carey was in personal rehab. The closest Carey will ever come to needing that is having Amy Winehouse on his ipod.
How many more beatings do Tom Kostopoulos and Steve Begin have to take before Gregory Stewart gets a start?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Marc Trestman as coach of the Oakland Raiders? I wouldn't wish Al Davis on him! Actually once having sipped from the Raiders Koolaid I guess you never quite get it out of your system...in 2008 after Weird Al went public with an unusual outburst I asked Coach Trestman if he had any "Al Davis Moments". Even well away from the mic the Als rookie head coach was the model of diplomacy---"great man, knows so much about the game." Yeah but Marc, that's a mess you don't want to have to clean up...we hope.
TRADE WINDS BLOW THROUGH BOSTON AS HABS FALL TO BRUINS
AND THE WINNER IS...
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Has Mikhail Grabovski spoken any words more true than when he declared the Kostitsyns "are not my friends" Opening Weekend?
Were you as surprised as I was that Guy Carbonneau continues to defend Sergei's emotional outbursts---jumping over the boards to go after the goading ex-teammate right before Grabovski shoved a linesman---Carbo saying he'd rather have to contain players' emotional levels than try to jack them up?
Ovechkin's arrival at the Bell Centre pumps up anticipation of the Allstar Weekend here in Montreal (CJAD's Andrew Carter is giving away VIP Allstar treatment by the way) but February is shaping up as a wild month for your Habs: Crosby twice, Grabovski's return to the Bell Centre, Sundin twice (bet he's booed as soon as he hits the ice here) and a two-week Western swing.
HABS BAIL OUT HALAK
PACHIORETTY PRODUCES IN NHL DEBUT
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
It can be if you're Max Pacioretty making your NHL debut. And after the Planes Trains and Automobiles tragi-comedy he and Kyle Chipchura went through after Boxing Day getting to Pittsburgh only to miss the gameday skate and be sent back to Hamilton before even the warmup skate---Pacioretty has already learned his first important NHL lesson---take nothing for granted. He waited until after the Morning Skate in Jersey to call his Dad and touch off a roadtrip for his proud father.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
If the Canadiens wanted to pull the trigger on a trade this would have been the trip. Scoop Bouwmeester up and have him tag along to Tampa. But Bouwmeester has a great poker face and insists he’s not hearing any rumours. “It is what it is,” says the seemingly laidback Edmontonian. “Nothing is written in stone.” Not even the last few months of your contract, Jay!
Habs have precedent for grabbing a Panther while in Florida. Canadiens media-relations guru Dom Saillant says when the Habs plucked Bill Lindsey off waivers, he just had to walk into the Panthers dressing room and pull him out into the hallway for his first Montreal media scrum.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Have you ever seen 2 players record their first NHL hat-tricks in back-to-back games. Not in 100 years and 3,000 victories! That is until AK-46 and Mad Max went to work on the Habs' Holiday Season Roadtrip.
THE NATURAL
KOVALEV NETS WINNER IN O.T.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Wouldn't it be fun if that pass Steve Begin threaded from his own zone to Kovalev at the Philly blueline won #22 a promotion to the Kovalev line in the absence of Andrei Kostitsyn? Fun for Steve but welcome back to reality. Guess Carbo doesn't want to break up that 4th line!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NUMBER 20
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Does that qualify as re-inventing the wheel when Carbo juggles the lines again in frustration only to find Kovalev back with Plek and AK46?
Bumped into former Alouette Ron Perrowne at Trudeau Airport as the Habs were headed to Carolina. He's beaming because his son Fred is finishing up a degree and will soon have dual Canadian-Serbian citizenship. Fred's tearing it up in Serbia as a player-coach.
MOFF'S WEEKLY NFL PICKS
Colts, Cowboys, Titans, Dolphins, Patriots, Bengals, Eagles, Rams, Vikings, Lions (to lose, but cover...perfection is sooooo close!), Giants, Jets, Texans (I swear on Kenny Stabler's memory I'll never take the Raiders again!), Broncos, Chargers, Bears.
MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS FOLLOWING LOSS IN RALEIGH
HABS END HOMESTAND WITH A THUD
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Maxwell's butterflies were natural...even 31-year old Marc Denis had butterflies on their trip from Hamilton their debut weekend. Maxwell, a North Van. BC-native has looked comfortable in training camps and pre-season games and his former Junior coach Mark Holick tells me he's hockey-wise beyond his years. And he played Maxwell (then a #19, not the Habs' first-ever #80) on the point of his powerplay, too!
CANADIENS LOSE GAME, KOIVU
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Does Carey Price have a cold, the flu, or do the Habs have Bouwmeester Fever? Jaroslav Halak gets two mid-week starts in a row and he deserves it! But the truth is Florida's GM and AGM were here at the Bell Centre Tuesday and they're trying to move their talented defenseman with the kind of shot that could help the Habs powerplay.
Now if its Halak and Higgins for the strong-Bouw, do you do it?
Do you think Tomas Plekanec had a 'plays well with others' rating when he was in daycare? Plek will make it a soft landing for Guillaume Latendresse in #84's return to action. Plek gives lessons every night in how a skilled player can still be gritty and determined defensively.
Rick Moffat's Stupid NFL Picks of the Week
Bears, Packers, Lions (still perfect but covering the spread and losing this week---let's go 0-16!) Bengals, Falcons, 49ers, Rams, Jets, Titans, Steelers, Broncos, Chargers, Vikings, Patriots, Giants, Eagles.
I'm so far off the Raiders bandwagon now that I'm starting to like the San Diego Chargers! That's just wrong for a longtime Stabler and Plunkett fan.
HABS FALL 2-1 TO THE DEVILS
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Why is the NFL still the NO FUN LEAGUE? Jared Allen is fined $10,000 for applying CPR to a football purely in gest after completing a 'hat-trick' of QB sacks in a game. That's the same fine given Julius Pepper was given for a late hit on a quarterback. Damn, I know plenty of D-lineman who'd give the NFL or CFL commissioner post-dated cheques for a shot at a qb like that!
Matt D'Agostini is still living out of a hotelroom, but at least his parents are in town for the Devils game. Matt is definitely keeping his head on his shoulders...I asked where his first puck is from his NHL milestone 1st goal and he joked that it was probably being sold on e-bay already...and wouldn't fetch much.
LARAQUE DELIVERS -- ON THE SCORESHEET
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Raiders
COLTS
BEARS
PACKERS
Browns
LIONS---NO THEY WON'T WIN, BUT THEY'LL COVER
Redskins
Eagles
SAINTS
Jets
BILLS
Chiefs
Rams
Cowboys
Patriots
PANTHERS
CANADIENS OPEN HOMESTAND IN WINNING FASHION
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Do you believe Bruce Boudreau when he tells me its hard to coach Ovechkin when he's on one of his ridiculous tears because 'he wants to do so much and you have to be like a parent with a child and show him that you can't do it all." But Mr. NHL Coach of the Year...he CAN do it all! He won you that trophy!
HABS EMBARRASSED YET AGAIN
WEEKLY FOOTBALL PICKS
WEEKLY NFL PICKS:
TITANS, COWBOYS, EAGLES, JETS, 49ERS, SAINTS, PACKERS, GIANTS, DOLPHINS, BENGALS, COLTS, FALCONS, PATRIOTS, RAIDERS, BEARS,
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Is this the wonderful thing about football or the most cruel thing about football...that it makes us believe in fairytales and storybook endings and that anything and everything is possible? The fairytale ending eluded the Alouettes on the football field but there's another shot an off-field fairytale ending in January when Alexia Calvillo has her next round of tests. Good luck, Alexia...the city is so proud of you.
Don't be surprised to see the Steelers, Browns, Colts or Saints show interest in Jamal Richardson. "J-Rich" was trying hard not to smile in the Als locker-room on Garbage Bag Day when I asked him if he was working out for a few teams as soon as next week (NFL workout window of opportunity for CFL "option year" guys is Dec. 1).
O'BYRNE THE GOAT IN LATEST HABS LOSS
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
The Als and Stampeders both have champagne on order at their respective team hotels right now. As I right this from the CJAD broadcast booth overlooking midfield at the Big Owe, it reminds me the toughest call to make in football is the one to cancel that champagne order.
BRUINS DO IT AGAIN
ONE STEP FORWARD...
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Have the Als and Canadiens ever had more different owners but equally devoted to their teams? Robert Wetenhall is the guy you want to be with if you’re out on the town for Grey Cup week revelry and the carousing reaches the “we’re driving to Florida!” stage. But George Gillett is the man you can trust with the keys and the family jewels.
Wetenhall’s a devoted Notre Dame fan even though he’s a Princeton man. Got his first taste of pro sports management with the Boston Patriots in the 60’s…when they were begging get on the field at Fenway Park around Red Sox games and practiced on what amounted to a field near Logan Airport. But he’s never pressured Popp to favour the Fighting Irish in player personnel decisions (Autry Denson the only significant Notre Dame alum with the Als the past decade). Popp says when Mr. Wetenhall calls its likely late at night when you least expect it, and if its after a loss he is always positive and concerned about the family.
WEEKLY FOOTBALL PICKS
NFL:
BENGALS (off to a great start already) , BROWNS, CHEIFS, JETS, DOLPHINS, COWBOYS, BUCS, EAGLES, BEARS, JAGS, FALCONS, RAIDERS, REDSKINS, GIANTS COLTS, SAINTS.
TWO POINTS THE UGLY WAY
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
BETTER PERFORMANCE, SAME RESULT
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Would you force Davis Sanchez to put his shoulder pads where his mouth is?
The muscle-ripped veteran DB Sanchez guarantees an Alouettes win in the Eastern Final. BUT…with the Stegall Clause. If Als fans sell out the Big Owe, the Als veteran says the Als are guaranteed to beat his former teammates, the Eskimos. Stegall’s box-office ploy turned blunder in the ‘Peg cuz of icy weather. Sanchez pontificates indoors. A trash-talker on the field, I can only hope Als fans wake up from their pre-Grey Cup hibernation, migrate to the Owe and force Sanchez to put slam down Ricky Ray’s receivers so this Montreal Grey Cup Bash of the AC Generation can rip it.
TIME FOR KOVALEV TO SHOW UP
Canadiens' Shake Off Loss in Toronto with 4-0 win over Sens
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Would I ever stear you wrong? My picks sure make you wonder!
CFL PLAYOFFS: (2-0 last week) TAKE THE ALOUETTES AND THE LIONS.
NFL REGULAR SEASON:
PATRIOTS, FALCONS, RAIDERS, GIANTS, COLTS, TITANS, PACKERS, EAGLES, SAINTS, LIONS, VIKINGS, 49ERS, SEAHAWKS, CHARGERS, COWBOYS, BILLS.
T.K. Gets Three Games
CANADIENS EMBARRASSED IN TORONTO
FIVE OF A POSSIBLE SIX
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
"I'm going to Disney World!"
Isn't it great when great things happen to good people? Flory learned of his East win less than 24 hours before taking off to Disney World with "Dreams Take Flight", a wonderful charity of Air Canada employees. Those kids are going to be spoiled for a day and they deserve it. Now if only you could have Flory and Luke Fritz blocking for you as you rush ride to ride!
Coach Carbonneau seemed too cranky for a coach of an 8-1-1 team. "You make too much of line changes" Carbo suggested after the Habs hit the ice at the Bell Centre. Truth is, Coach has Higgins back where he belongs...at Koivu's side. I love what Higgins says HE loves best about playing with Koivu..."on and off the ice I'm always learning something."
MOFF'S WEEKLY PICKS
Here's my fearless CFL Playoff Predictions:
LIONS IN THE WEST, ESKIMOS IN THE EAST SEMI-FINAL.
NFL: Broncos, Jaguars, Titans, Patriots, Saints, Jets, Seahawks, Packers, Raiders, Chargers, Colts, Giants, Texans, 49ers.
Habs mount inspirational comeback on Long Island
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
I love Marc Trestman's decision to give Marcus Brady the start in Edmonton and I say that even after the loss. It was the right thing to do. Sure wish the defense put together a better performance though!
Mitch Fritz is jacked up for the Fritz Family Grey Cup Reunion. The 6'8" 250-pounder (he's shed some weight for the "New NHL" he jokes) was told only a few hours before game-time that he'd start against the Canadiens. And even before a possible confrontation with Georges Laraque, the brother of Luke Fritz is amped for a roadtrip to Montreal that would coincide with Grey Cup Sunday and then a game at the Bell Centre against the Canadiens on Monday and November 24th just happens to be Mitch's birthday as well.
Some Saturday Morning Musings
HABS WIN, PAVEL BOLTS
Habs need O.T. and Shootout to beat 'Caines
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Why is it the one time the Als longsnapper Corey Huclack botches a snap for a convert it costs them the game? For the same reason the one and only time Kai Ellis came anywhere near his former teammate Anthony Calvillo, he forces a hurry and a fateful interception.
Should Kai have been suspended or fined for his foot-in-mouth? No, I don't think so. His remark about putting Popp in a coma was tasteless, no matter how much Ellis feels he was wronged by the Als GM. Kai claimed on CJAD after the Blue Bombers completed their upset that he spoke out against the cap-concious GM for the good of some current Alouettes. Thanks, Kai. Suppose that wake-up call loss was for the Als' own good, too.
Canadiens lose in regulation for the first time this season
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Lance Armstrong's "people" say the atmosphere at next year's Tour de France had better be "serene" and "respectful". What, you want paintings from the Louvre in the World Anti-Doping lab? You want to pee in a fine French crystal goblet? Ride, Lance, ride. Then go pee in a cup like the rest of them.
Bryan Chiu hits a milestone 200th regular season game on Sunday. What does he remember from his first training camp with the Als? "I thought I had a chance to make the team, but I didn't know what to expect," he says of joining the assorted oversized crazies who were already blocking for Mike Pringle--a unique study in...shall we say...focus and intensity.
HALAK GETS THE CALL VS. DUCKS; KOSTITSYN REMAINS ON SIDELINES
Stomach flu keeps Carey Price on the sidelines
MOFF'S WEEKLY CFL+NFL PICKS
NFL: Raiders, Chargers, Jets, Dolphins, Bucs, Falcons, Rams, Panthers, Redskins, Jaguars, Bengals, Giants, Seahawks, Colts.
HALAK SHARP AS CANADIENS BEAT PANTHERS 3-1
KOSTITSYN DOING "A LOT BETTER"
CANADIENS WIN GAME, LOSE ANDREI KOSTITSYN
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Wayne Gretzky asked about his memories of Patrick Roy says "they're all bad!" But despite that '93 Cup loss as a King, Wayne tells CJAD he's got great memories of his first visits to the Forum. "Doug Jarvis is from my hometown and when I came to Montreal for the first time he showed me around. Then two years later I'm back for the Summit Series and following around some of their greats!"
CFL+ NFL PICKS FOR THE WEEK
Take the Lions, Als, Stampeders and Ti-Cats....YES I SAID TI-CATS! They'll cover the spread against the Roughriders who I think will stay at the bottom of the CFL West, earning a berth in the semi-final vs. Wpg. in the East.
I'M CLIMBING AGAINST THE LIKES OF PROUDFOOT AND PHILION IN OUR NFL POOL: Chiefs, Chargers, Steelers, Dolphins, Cowboys, Bears, Saints, Giants, Lions, Jets, Redskins, Colts, Bucs, Broncos.
TWO POINTS THE HARD WAY
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
If Christopher Higgins worked out so hard that he put on 6 pounds of extra muscle and did more skating than ever before in his offseason training...how come he's hurt to start the season? "I should have spent more time on the beach!" claims Higg.
KOSTITSYN BRO'S LEAD HABS IN PHILLY
TEN-POINT NIGHT FOR THE KOIVU LINE
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
After the Sabres put the boots to the 21-year old for back-to-back goals on shootouts preventing the Canadiens from winning the opener of their 100th season, Price put the boots to the railing at the tunnel back to the Canadiens dressing room. It appeared to be a rare moment of wearing his heart on his goalie skate, but Price had nothing to be upset about and his seemingly rare display of emotion could only have been an indicator that his emotional fire is burning strong this season. Price will be the least of the Canadiens' concerns this season and he kept them in the game to force overtime in the first place.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
NFL WEEKLY PICKS: I'M FINALLY HITTING MY STRIDE....
RAIDERS, COLTS, JETS, PANTHERS, LIONS, FALCONS, DOLPHINS, RAMS, BRONCOS, 49ERS, COWBOYS, PACKERS, CHARGERS, GIANTS.
After going 7-1 the previous two weeks on CFL picks, I slumped to 1-3 while my NFL picks soared. So here goes for CFL:
Toronto, BC, Montreal and Calgary.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Just hours after the Cats halted a 14-game winstreak led by Anthony Calvillo against his former club, Bob Gainey and the Canadiens confirmed Max Pacioretty and Yannick Weber will start the season as a Hamilton Bulldog not a Hab.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Is Velcro Hands secret identity "Captain Modesty"? Ben Cahoon can set a milestone becoming Number 1 alltime in the CFL among Canadian receivers. That's pretty good for a guy born in Utah (lol) but raised in Alberta and Montreal, and told his whole life he's too small and too slow for the NFL. But Ben tells me about a striking lesson in arrogance and humility.
Even before Ben played his first game in Canada...he had a weird encounter with the wacko whose record he's poised to break! His name's Ray Elgaard, and he was a prairie plow of a tight-end-style slotback from the late 80's and well into the 90's for Saskatchewan....Ben's graudating from Brigham Young University and gets a call from a tele-marketer trying to get his hands into the wallets of US college football prospects. He says "Hi, this is Ray Elgaard.."...and Ben says "what do you do..." and Ray says "I've just set all kinds of passcatching records in the cfl...." and Ben innocently replies "I'm headed to the CFL"....Elgaard: "What position do you play?" Ben now ticked this stranger who looked him up doesn't even know they've got great hands in common: "I'm a receiver too." Elgaard's fired up now: "Well, you'll never touch any of my ___%#@!##$#records, kid!" Ben says tall these seasons later: "Maybe I owe him a call one of these days."
CANADIENS SOFT-PEDDLE CARBONNEAU'S CONTRACT EXTENSION
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
ANOTHER WEEK OF DOGS FROM MOFF:
Colts, Titans, Chargers, Panthers, Redskins, Bears, Falcons, Giants, Broncos, Patriots, Bills, Bengals, Steelers, Saints.
CFL PICKS OF THE WEEK:
Take all the favorites this weekend: BC will make The Don wish he were retired again, Calgary crushes the Riders who refuse to pull Michael Bishop who has all the talent in the world but in the words of one former teammate is "defective", Als clinch against the Tiger-Cats who are still looking for a new head coach for '09, and Edmonton gets payback on the Blue Bombers.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
I'm not suprised one bit that Ben Maxwell survives the first deep cuts of Bell Centre Training camp while PK Subban is headed back to junior. Maxwell has looked smooth and smart though he's only prolonged his demotion. The kid must play. Subban is fun to watch every shift---unless you're his coach. "He's got the energy of a puppy," one close follower in the Canadiens organization tells me. Hey, the Moffat's just adopted a new puppy from Animatch---that means wiping some mistakes off the floors and rugs, and Belleville will have to PK's crate for the next year.
AND THEN THERE WERE 32
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Saku Koivu deserves to bring his teammates to Finland though, don't you think?
The NHL's ongoing Hockey Cold War with the Russian Hockey politburo prevents anyone from thinking Moscow would be an option in October 2009.
ALEX KOVALEV READY TO GO
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Canadiens/Bulldogs goalie Marc Denis wears his pride all over his face and his mask. The former 1st round draft pick of Colorado out of the Chicoutimi junior hockey program has a tribute to the 100th Season on a new paint job for his goalie mask he'll wear in his first start for the Canadiens against the Sabres in the Hockeyville game.
Denis' wife (a Chicoutimi native he met as a junior) and two boys Tom and Olivier (6&4) will be cheering him on.
So will 1200 fans who'll pack 6 wooden bench rows at the Benoit Levesque Arena tonight in Roberval, the winner of the national contest to host the Habs and Sabres.
CANADIENS OPEN PRE-SEASON WITH 8-3 LOSS TO BRUINS
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
McElveen is a soft-spoken CFL rookie who had been sitting on the Als practise roster since LAST FALL! After signing as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans, McElveen was a 2007 NFL training camp cut. He wondered if opportunity would ever knock again. The Falcons and Dolphins showed limited interest but made no contract offers.
KOIVU AND LARAQUE TO MISS PRE-SEASON OPENER MONDAY IN HALIFAX
SAKU KOIVU BACK ON SKATES AFTER BEING FELLED BY A STRAY PUCK
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Bryan Chiu and Anthony Calvillo admit they were intimidated by Mike until they got to know him (a process that took several wild-eyed seasons). Chiu says Pringle would run over his own linemen to bust through a hole of his own making if you didn't get your block for the indestructible CFL Rushing King.
Calvillo says "Iron Mike" didn't even talk to him their first few years in Montreal...but AC sure understood that look in the huddle that growled: "give me the rock again now!"
NFL PICKS
WEEK 3 WINNERS: Falcons, Raiders, Titans, Giants, Cards, Patriots, Bucs, Panthers, Seahawks, 49ers, Broncos, Steelers, Colts, Ravens, Packers, Jets.
For the record, here are your CFL winners for the Weekend:
Blue Bombers, Stampeders, Lions and Alouettes.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
My sources say some Als are still shaking their heads over the release of Kai Ellis. GM Jim Popp told CJAD recently the veteran d-end/linebacker and special teams warrior refused to take a pay cut to help keep the Als under the CFL Salary Cap, but other sources close to this team say it was still a shocker to some loyal soldiers on the team, and they were thrilled to a man to see Ellis score his first CFL TD for Winnipeg to spoil Don Mathews' return to the sidelines in Toronto.
VETERANS JOIN YOUNGSTERS FOR DAY ONE OF ROOKIE CAMP
Bob Gainey Goes With "Plan B" in Robert Lang
PATRICK ROY TO HAVE HIS DAY AT THE BELL CENTRE
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
With rumours the Habs may have a player signing to announce this week, I got word from Sundin's agent reconfirming that Mats is over in Barcelona, Spain at a charity poker tournament. "Who has the better poker face---your or Mats?" I wondered. "Based on the last few months---Sundin," admits the veteran player agent.
I suggested to Uzooma Okeke that The Don won't have time to impact the Argos' systems by Friday night against the Bombers..."Why not? He could hit them with a whole new playbook on game-day," roared the future Hall of Fame lineman now scouting Canadian University games this month for the Als.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
So Mats Sundin was telling the truth to CJAD when he insisted he was NOT coming to Montreal...but I wonder if he already knew Montreal was coming to him? I can only feel sorry for Bob Gainey, sitting threw two hours of face-to-face indecision. If the Canadiens' GM could not win a commitment mano-a-mano, I have to believe Sundin won't be playing anywhere close to an NHL rink in 2008.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Why can't more members of the Montreal media appreciate Saku Koivu for his actions rather than keep dissing him for what he DOESN'T do? Funny how Canadiens management and fellow players had no problem with Kaptain Koivu staying in Finland rather than jet in for the Habs' golf tournament this week...yet some whiners get on #11's case. You don't think its some of the same people upset at him because he doesn't speak "enough French" publicly, do you?
THE NHL's SILLY SEASON: SILLIER THAN USUAL, THANKS TO MATS
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
"Sorry," the laid-back Cowboy goalie responded cooly, "I've already had him neutered."
It was fun to see the comraderie among the players at Laval-sur-le-Lac Tuesday for the Canadiens Childrens' Foundation golf tournament, but West Islander Doug Scott just wanted to rave about The Goal-line Stand. "This is the CFL---you HAVE TO make a yard when you have 3 shots at it." Scott's been in his share of battles of the trenches and tells me the refs would constantly let players sneak a toe into the one-yard neutral zone, unlike Mark Estelle's case against the Lions.
I've got a huge green streak, so I love what Montreal businessman and philanthropist Herbert Black did to "recycle" Guy Carbonneau's lucky playoff tie. The wildly coloured Hermes silk birthday present from Carbo's wife finally sold at auction for a staggering $100,000. Truth is Mr. Black didn't even want the tie. When bidding was stalled at $55,000, he offered a $75,000 matching donation if either of the bidders locked in battle took it to the dizzying heights of $75-K. With genourosity stagnating at $60,000, Black--the King of Recycle and Re-use thinking at American Metal and Iron--said "I'll take the tie---here's $100,000." As the Canadiens' auctioneer said: "It's only money."
CAREY PRICE DIET PLAN: You can lose 20-25 pounds in months if you cut out midnight chocolate bars. That's the secret Carey told me of his summer regimen. He also cut down on his other guilty pleasure: chili cheese-dogs.
That and working out fulltime in Calgary with a trainer recommended by his younger cousin, a Florida Panthers draft pick. Price is also related to NHL veteran and perennial World Hockey Championships Team Canada star Shane Doan. Let's hope you're always too deep into the playoffs to join Cousin Shane, Carey!
SMALL WORLD DEPARTMENT: I welcomed a bidder from a recent A.L.S. Society gala to the CJAD broadcast booth on Friday. Louis Desjardins mentioned that he played defense for the Universite' de Sherbrooke team when Larry Smith was with Bishops. "Did you hit him hard?" I asked. "Larry should remember one hit," Louis suggested proudly. Well Mr. President? "Against Sherbrooke I think Coach apologized to me because he pulled me at halftime. I'd already rushed for 220 yards. I don't remember getting hit." Way to go, Prez!
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
So how did a 10-year old blind boy from Hampstead become Cahoon's special motivation against BC? Gregory Krychman was a CJAD Sports Intern for a day on the eve of the game and requested an interview with the rugged pass-catcher. Ben graciously agreed to answer questions and then after the mic was off, promised Greg he'd give him the football if Calvillo hit Ben with a TD pass.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
West Islander Scott Flory is adamant about stopping the NFL threat to the CFL. "I'd have a Canadian flag tattoo-ed to my butt...if I believed in tattoos," says the likeable lineman. "I'm one of the few Alouettes born in Canada and schooled in football in Canada and I want my kids to grow up on the CFL. I want the league bigger and stronger 100 years from now." We stand on guard with thee, Scott.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
The only times I've had police at my house, Lachine's finest proved themselves to be empathetic, level-headed and helpful. So I can't imagine the anger frustration and fear felt by Montreal Alouettes Mark Estelle and Alain Kashama that evening leading up to an Als playoff game when the ugly minority within The Force hurled racial taunts from under the cowardly cover of a presumed language barrier. A Quebecois version of n-word was jabbed at them, because the stooges figured if they were hastling two guys getting into a vehicle with U.S. plates they could get away with it. What were the odds one of their victims was former property of the Chicago Bears and a proud native of Congo, who understood their stupidities.
Kashama and Estelle's case was on my mind again after the Montreal North riots, because here was what the facts may one day show to be a gross example of police overkill that was swept under the rug. And if police had dealt seriously with the issues in "the Burgs" maybe they would have learned something before things got way out of hand in another part of the city.
Reknowned Montreal lawyer Raphael Schacter tells me the delays in the Als case have been perplexing and vexing and altogether unnecessary. In a matter of days we may finally learn that a special prosecutor in Quebec will allow charges of assault to be filed against the officers who pointlessly put the fear into Kashama and Estelle. It should never have taken this long. And when a community seeks justice the failure of the Police Disciplinary Committee to act until after a court case decision only smacks to me of cover-up or neglect.
The fine men and women of our police force I'm sure are embarrassed too, and they are not served by seeing the stooges in their midst sheltered.
The Buffalo Bills are no threat to Canadian Culture. This I can assure you after witnessing the "History in the Making" kickoff to the Bills Toronto series. Ted Rogers, who knows how to make a buck or several billion, made it a gouge-fest without the Super Bowl hoopla. Philion and I sat in the first row of the endzone during the first quarter. Some fans paid more than $200 for those seats! Most in the same section were given theirs for free to help paper the house. "Toronto's Team" in the NFL turns out to be the Steelers who lost to Buffalo on the eve of the Als game.
No, none of your Alouettes were at the NFL game...no chance to catch up with a few homies or college teammates. Head Coach Marc Trestman called another 9PM team meeting on the eve of the game---"he seems to like doing that when we're in big cities," observes one CFL vet.
While veterans in several struggling CFL cities are nervous, Als experienced warhorses can rest assured they don't face the Week 9 Axe. CFL teams are stuck paying 6-year vets they release after week 9, which happens to coincide with NFL cuts. GM Jim Popp, AGM Marcel Desjardins and super-scout Uzooma Okeke have all been scouring NFL camps for talent and the Als secret neg list will be loaded and reloaded to the 35-man max, but only a few extra players are allowed on the practise roster down the stretch run to the playoffs.
Mats Sundin taking the opening faceoff for the Habs this season? Right after a 7-year old Chinese girl belts out the anthem.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Eric Wilson is my kind of d-tackle...off the field: fun-loving guy, popular in the room. On the field, a Philion-style don't be shy about taking a hard clean hit at a qb. It was fun to see him make his first career interception in the city where he began his cfl career---the Peg'. Wilson (I call him the Winnebego when he lines up at fullback) insists he could have had his first td too---claims he was wide open in the endzone on the play before Adrian McPherson squeeked in from the 1. Now tell me Eric--is it your speed or your moves that got you so open?
No the Als do NOT have Broadway Brett on their secret Neg List of rights to American players. So don't be expecting the Jets' qb star to be heading north after he storms Manhattan ( well, the Meadowlands swamp anyway).
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Congrats to Ashley and Damon Duval on the birth of their second son Hunter who apparently has some of Grandad's fullback in him given the 9-pound, 2-ounce birthweight! He should be ready for the Canadian draft in 2029 and from Larry to Brad to Hunter, that could be 3 generations of Smith family Alouettes. I'd love to see it.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
If Damon Duval breaks a window at the Montreal Neuro by blasting a CFL record 75-yard field goal some day, will he have to pay for the repairs? After hitting from 50 and 51 yards out toward the west endzone against the Tiger-Cats, Duval may want to check his damage insurance. He had room to spare on both his long distance connections and Moffat predicts he'll stop traffic on Parc some day kicking one over the east endzone.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Laval's Stephanie Dubois impressed her coach Simon Larose the most with her emotional toughness during her big upset win over the #20 ranked player in the world. Maria Kirilenko tried in vain to block out the adoring crowd at Centre Court, but failed. Buy your own earplugs, Maria. Maybe they got a build-your-own set at Ikea? And if you see Mats Sundin there, will you call me?
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
I thought the Als were more than patient with Jason Armstead. Head Coach Marc Trestman wanted to give a veteran one more chance on field (Regina) that can deliver some of the more extreme kick-return conditions in the league. CJAD's Ed Philion noted that blocking wedges against the Roughriders were set up straight ahead--forcing Armstead to stop dancing nowhere. Instead the speedster who's now run away from opportunities in 3 CFL cities in less than a full calender year has likely played his last game unless someone else is that desperate.
Good luck Larry Taylor, Christmas has come early for you. The rookie from U Conn (where he met former Alouette O'Neill Wilson, a Toronto native) was a Christmas present for Jim Popp over the winter. Popp (you may knock him as a coach but he's still a workaholic GM) is on Christmas vacation in North Carolina and decides to take in a college bowl game with his brother. Popp's shivering in the cold and this tiny but ripped return guy runs one back for a td. Popp immediately calls Assistant GM Marcel Desjardins and says 'get him on the neg list!' (that's the secret talent lists CFL teams must file to league headquarters for exclusive rights on American talent). Desjardins chuckles---he was watching the same game and had already made note of Taylor's feats.
Kai Ellis says after the birth of his first child this winter he no longer had time to spend 7 hours a day at the gym. Really?! Any Dad stumbling through Fairview pushing a stroller could have warned you, Kai! Ellis is a fitness freak whose body hasn't produced the impact on the field, in part because of nagging injuries. But maybe returned to his natural position--defensive end---he'll have more of an impact than at MLB where he job-shared last season. Somewhere in Washington State, his tae kwan do opponents may be relieved he's got to spend more time with his daughter this winter, too.
Tony Proudfoot is a special guest of the ALS Society of BC and the Rosedale on Robson Hotel this week. They'll have Tony in their suite at the Als game Friday night, where he'll sit with his former teammate Wayne Conrad. Bidding is at $6500.00 for the 1977 Grey Cup Championship ring and game-worn jersey of Wayne's---a truly once in a lifetime opportunity for a collector or Als fan, so please e-mail me if you want in on the bidding at last minute.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
I've been thinking of getting a Thunder-Monkey tatoo, but I have to reconsider now after studying the major works of art on the arms of Danny Desriveaux (Montreal native but raised in Laval) and Alain Kashama. Kash has a map of Africa with leopard's spots and a C for Congo to represent his family's roots and the animal that inspired their name. Desriveaux has a map of Haiti with his parents' home cities marked, and a football in between the numbers 514 and 450 marking his local flav.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day?
MLB's are supposed to spit fire when they're not chewing up and spitting out opposition runningbacks and quarterbacks, but Taylor is a lightweight at the position. And after missing all last season, was flying around with reckless abandon while blotting out any fears his arm might fall off.
Rick Moffat's Stoopd Question of the Day
Did you really expect the Als Offense to progress so quickly from from Dunk’n’Dink to Slam Dunk?
Nobody remembers the first line of Lord of the Rings or War and Peace, so we can quickly forget the first play from scrimmage of the Marc Trestman Era Playbook, a truly epic work. All kinds of motion, as secretly foretold by Anthony Calvillo, who was looking like a chocaholic ice-cream addict headed to Wild Willie’s just reviewing his extensive play menu the morning of the Als’ 2008 season kickoff.
But for all the waggling and misdirection from the Als receivers, Play No. 1 boiled down to a quick toss to Laval-native Danny Desriveaux who was quickly blasted to the turf. The flames launching up from Stelco must have looked like the Hellfires of Kuwait from Desriveaux’s view. That is if he could see passed the Tweetie Birds and the stars circling his head after the first serious contact of the Happy Football New Year. Dink’n’dunk they call those little short junk passes that may pad your completion stats, but won’t get you to the endzone in any hurry.
But the Trestman playbook has many chapters, and many twists of plot and formation for an experienced and studious quarterback like Anthony Calvillo. He proved to be a voracious reader of the Trestman “phone-book” and soon was carving up the Ti-Cats defense and in a town where AC was booed mercilessly during his own stint in Hamilton, moved to #2 alltime in CFL passing yards with a near flawless performance.
Calvillo is a man on a mission this season. He told CJAD’s Ed Philion, his former teammate and the true Grey Cup MVP of 2002, that his wife Alexia’s battle against cancer has inspired him with a greater appreciation for the love of the game. AC’s love of family and community has never been in question.
No surprise to me that AC’s re-inspired play also will benefit the city that he has come to love and call home. After spending too much time over the offseason at the 7th floor of the Royal Vic, he’s vowing to refurbish the Family Room there. For every touchdown pass Calvillo throws, he’s donating $100.00 (CJAD’s Kids Fund matches his donations and invites YOU to make a pledge as well) to the job of making that place I hope you never have to visit just a little brighter and more comforting for families in need of a lift.
That Trestman playbook cost Anthony $200 bucks. But a convincing win to get the rookie head coach his first ice-dunking by game end, and polishing your Hall of Fame stats (more irony in that the Hall is a short drive from Ivor Wynne, and Hamilton will again have to swallow the fact it dropped Calvillo for nothing on waivers ten years ago)….priceless.
West Islander Brian Chiu and Vaudreuil resident Paul Lambert happily led the dunking brigade with a direct hit on Trestman to celebrate the win in Steeltown. More delicious irony since O-line has paid the highest physical price of their toughest camp ever at Fort St. Jean and a grueling pre-season. Trestman’s new playbook looks like a CFL besteller, but it doesn’t fly if the Great Wall of Mount Royal doesn’t keep Calvillo looking downfield, rather than down at the turf, or worse, flat on his back looking up at the sky.
Props to K-Wat…Kerry Watkins and the receivers have so many formation variations on each play to learn, that they barely had a chance to plot out any endzone celebrations. After being mobbed by a hustling o-line on his first td, Watkins thankfully had a 2nd chance to show off his creativity, forming a circle with his fellow pass-catchers and playing “hot potato” with the football after his second TD of the game. “Just thought of it right before the anthem,” says Watkins, who was among the Als players forced to rehearse their playbook choreography in the hotel parking lot on the morning of gameday. That had some CFL vets I talked to wondering ‘if they don’t know their plays by gameday, how will a parking lot practise help them?’ But if superstition rules, the offense may have to get used to finding more parking lots on gameday. And saving their endzone celebration planning for gametime.
Rick Moffat's Stoop'd Question of the Day
Could Mr. Gainey be playing the hearts and minds of Montrealers to make some media waves heard all the way back to Sweden? Is this open effort doomed to fail like the Hossa talks with the Thrashers? Or will the Habs have the perfect cover for getting the longtime Leafs' captain AFTER Toronto would be deserving of compensation? My get tells me Sundin is headed to the Rangers, but then again, none of you expected Tanguay on Draft Day, did you!
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Is there anything like a good axe-wielding massacre to get survivors to rally together? Some coaches think so, and love to have a shocking cut of a veteran to give that 'off with their heads, now the rest of you follow me' approach to a new season. Remember The Don pronouncing Lawrence Phillips his starter over Mike Pringle (who in Reggie Jackson 'straw that stirs the drink'-style told me he was "the baker who baked the Alouettes' cake"). Marc Trestman doesn't strike me as a lumberjack though. More like a laser surgeon. He is thorough, detailed, and hands on, but he's not into shock doctrine.
Don't be disappointed if the Canadiens fail to trade up in the draft. Trevor Timmins has Bob Gainey's complete confidence to make something happen wherever they select in the draft. Last time in Ottawa, Timmins shocked many by taking a strapping young goalie who's father was bursting with enthusiasm. Carey Price was funny and glib on draft day (far more engaging than his rookie season scrums) while Dad Jerry, a former Flyers' draft pick was beside himself with joy. All those long flights in their bush-plane to hockey tournaments had paid off. And Carey's Dad instantly saw the process coming full circle for its NHL landing...he'd been coached at his only NHL camp by Canadiens' Hall of Fame legend Jacques Plante during the Bernie Parent era.
Dave Mudge of the Als is taking a summer course toward his MBA at McGill. On the Als' first roadtrip out to Winnipeg for 2008 I asked him what's thicker? Your Industrial Relations textbook or the new Als' Playbook? "No question...the playbook's thicker than the phonebook."
I finally got around to watching that wild Bob Dylan flick on DVD, where he's played by various actors and an actress. When Dylan's portrayed by a little boy who jumps into a boxcar, the voice you hear talks about "hobos and no-bos'. It struck me that in some regards, the CFL pre-season is full of Football Hobos and Nobos. Witness Chris Jennings, who failed to impress the BC Lions in a tryout camp in Vegas recently, but still go a workout just two weeks ago with the Cleveland Browns. He was hoping he might soon be on a level playing field with his buddies from West Virginia--NFL stars Randy Moss and Troy Brown--the Browns like what they saw of this speedy runningback and asked him to sit tight. But Jennings then got a call from Assistant GM Marcel Desjardins and soon was rambling north.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Can't say as I blaim the New Guy. Veteran players are impressed with how hard they're being pushed, and the last vestiges of the Don Mathews era "players coach" regimen is being beaten out of them. Old dogs are learning new tricks? They're barking at Fort St. Jean and take it out on the Argos Thursday night, live on CJAD 800.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
The pride of Pointe-Claire Tony Proudfoot is back from ALS Society-Canada Lobby Day on Parliament Hill. CJAD's Alouettes expert and former CFL Allstar was keen to meet Ken Dryden (rare are the meetings between men who enjoyed Stanley Cup parades and Grey Cup parades in the same year!) and Liberal Leader Stephane Dion, but Tony drew the particular attention of Bob Rae, the former Ontario premier. Turns out Mr. Rae is a longtime family friend of the Uteck's...Tony's former teammate Larry Uteck also fought Lou Gehrig's Disease so bravely for so many years. In a cruel coincidence, Tony and Larry were roommates one year in the '70's. I only wish Tony could have brought his old helmet, shoulder pads and staple gun and knock some more sense into our politicians.
Remember flamboyant Alouettes linebacker Duane Butler? "The Freak", as his teammates called him, just called me to let me know he's hoping to recruit about 10 serious high-school or CEGEP level football players for a special camp led by Butler and about a dozen other former US college and NFL players. Just e-mail me, and I'll make sure you get all the info, because Duane's coming back to Montreal next week. Please note, the camp is being held in Detroit, so it does require some travel.
Sure the Russians were showing Ovechkin-esque enthusiasm standing at their bench for the final minutes of a 4-0 semi-final win against Finland at the World Hockey Championships, and yes I know the Russians advanced to the gold medal showdown without losing a game, but that still does NOT excuse them for embarrassing Alex Kovalev publicly by dissing him for being "too slow." No Alex couldn't beat Alexander the GR8 in a foot-race or a rush end-to-end, but he surely could have contributed. Then again, maybe the Canadiens are lucky some in the French Press were denied the opportunity to hype a Kovalev vs. Koivu confrontation on ice!
Hope you weren't getting on Bob Gainey for Ribeiro racking up all those points in the early rounds of your playoff pool? How did you like that swing Mickey Ribs took at Osgood? Looks to me like El Amigo wouldn't even land a job with Mr. Hicks' other team the Rangers. That's Texas Rangers, I mean. Funny how Osgood went down like he was shot, eh? I don't think Pamela Anderson has a chest inflated like that.
Rick Moffat's Stoopid Question of the Day
IT'S OVER
Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day
Mike Komisarek made one of the best plays of the night, when after the Flyers and Canadiens shook hands and Habs congregated back at centre ice for a wave of the sticks to the crowd, the rugged defenseman gave one last face-wash to Carey Price...forcing the downhearted rookie to raise his chin, and leave the ice head held high.
DECISION TO GO WITH HALAK IN GAME FOUR A GUTSY ONE
Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day
NEW GOALTENDER, SAME RESULT FOR THE CANADIENS
CARBO KEEPS CARDS CLOSE TO VEST FOLLOWING GAME THREE LOSS
Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE FLYERS IN GAME TWO
Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day
Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day
CANADIENS VS. FLYERS: Habs in 5. The Philly defense corps would be the NHL's best charity basketball team but they won't be able to keep up with the speed of the Canadiens' Special-K's---Koivu+Higgins or the Kostitsyns for that matter.
PENGUINS VS. RANGERS: It really is Crosby's time. Already. Michel Therrien got my 2nd place vote for Coach of the Year (I think you can guess who won my 1st place vote). The Rangers may be emotionally spent from knocking off their Jersey rivals, Penguins in 6.
CANADIENS GO TO OVERTIME FOR GAME 1 WIN OVER FLYERS
Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day
I hope no-one gets on Kovalev's politically incorrect refusal to join the BuzzCut Boys. Asked if he'd get the Mohawk cut that's the rage in the Canadiens dressing room, Alex said "we can't all be Indians, someone's gotta be cheifs." Alex, you score a pair every night, you can wear your hair in a '70's 'fro like Larry Robinson for all we care. I just don't like Mark Streit hiding behind AK-27, by telling CJAD he'll cut his if Alex does.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day
Frankly I would have preferred to see the Canadiens versus the Rangers in Round 2, even though the Habs only won 1 of 4 against Jagr and company. Why? Cuz that would have kept alive my favorite Round 3 dramatics---Cristobal and Ovechkin matching up against their good buddies Andrei Markov and Carey Price, among others.
One more stupid question: If Philly is the city of Brotherly Love, will the Kostitsyn Brothers keep tearing it up on the Plekanec line?
BE LISTENING GAME 1 THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:45 ON CJAD 800, WITH GAME 2 SATURDAY FROM THE BELL CENTRE AS WELL.
HABS THUMP BRUINS 5-0 TO TAKE GAME 7
Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day
Didn't I tell you Carey Price was strong on the Emotional Rebound. I don't fault him for the Game 6 loss, not for any one of those 5 goals the Bruins pored in against shaky defense and little support in the Habs zone from the Kovalev line. And here in Game 7, is Carey Price stoning the Bruins who had the best scoring chances in the 1st period, and some more tough ones in the 2nd BEFORE the Canadiens broke it open. Shots were 11-4 Bruins at one point in the first, but the Habs had the 1-0 lead.
SEVENTH HEAVEN? WE'LL FIND OUT TONIGHT!
Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day
Next time you hear someone refusing to pay utmost respect to the captain, remind them of his performance in Boston. His foot still fractured, Koivu wins the opening faceoff, 5-0 on the draws in the first period, and sets up not one but two goals, elevating Christopher Higgins and Sergei Kostitsyn in his wake. And everyone whose ever been inspired by Saku through a cancer treatment had to gulp like I did at the first sight of seeing him bald-headed to join the BuzzCut Boys (Saku won't reveal who did his lid, but I suspect Josh Gorges). "Is Mrs. Koivu fine with this look? I asked shortly after the sheers were put away? "She hasn't seen it yet, smiled the captain. Captain with a Capital C...I did the math homework---check this out! Saku Koivu's career points per PLAYOFF game .837. Hockey Hall of Famer Henri Richard .716.
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day
*Carey Price on the "emotional rebound". I know, this assumes he has emotions. You're thinking "if he's so good handling the puck, how come his first playoff assist came on a Bruins' goal!?" No worries. The rookie's an ice cold 6-0 in starts after losses since February. If this 20-year old were a mood-ring, he'd be see-through. But he's not old enough to remember mood-rings, is he? Carey says he should never be compared to Patrick Roy, so I'll compare him to Ken Dryden. Number 29 was fried for 7 goals by the Bruins in Game 5 to give the Bruins a 3-2 Series lead. GM Sam Pollock stuck with the lanky, laid-back netminder. Dryden's teammates still have the rings to prove it.
BRUINS SEND THIS ONE TO BOSTON FOR A GAME SIX
CANADIENS ON THE VERGE OF CLINCHING
Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the D-AY
"Bet you're roommate's not going to want to put up with that," I suggest in the Canadiens' dressing room in Boston. "Wait til he hears me sing," warns Price, who later confesses its a moot point for now because he's been given his own room during the playoffs, a status usually reserved for NHL veterans with 600+ games. Let me remind Carey has 44 games under his belt including playoffs.
NO DENYING BRUINS IN GAME 3
Rick Moffat's Stupidd Question of the Day
CANADIENS SURVIVE GAME TWO SCARE TO GO UP 2-0 AGAINST BRUINS
Rick Moffat's Stoopd Kuestion of the Playoff Day
Brian Smolinski and Steve Begin are touched by the "BuzzCut Boys" tribute---Playoff Beards + Bald Heads= Post-season success. If Kostopoulos and Smo keep scoring, they'll touch off a true men's styling craze. Get well soon Max Smolinski! Brian's little boy has been sick lately, too sick for school and wasn't allowed to stay up late to watch Daddy score in Game 1.
CANADIENS DRAW FIRST BLOOD AGAINST BRUINS
Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day
Josh Gorges, the man with the shears, says the shaved head look brought him good luck in his Junior days when he went to Memorial Cup with the Kelowna Rockets. "My sister's a hair-dresser so maybe so day I can help her open her own shop," the vastly-improved defenseman says with a mischievous grin.
Rick Moffat's Stoopd Question of the Day
DONT DRAFT HABS! Not because I don't trust them to go far. Trust that everyone else at your Hockey Pool draft will overpay or take Canadiens players too high. The Habs scored 34.3 percent of all their goals on the Power-play in regular season (compare that to Ovechkin and Cristobal's Capitals at only 26.8 percent) and we'll see if the refs put the whistles away...Canadiens scoring will be down as well.
CANADIENS' BEASTS OF THE EAST
MARK STREIT HABS' UNSUNG HERO. AGAIN.
Rick Moffat's Sstupid Questionn of the Day
SURGING SMOLINSKI SINKS SABRES
CANADIENS CALL UP REINFORCEMENTS FROM HAMILTON
STUUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY
The view from the top
Saku Koivu has left the building -- on crutches
Rick Moffat's Stoopidd Kquestion of the Day
Rick Moffat's Stoopid Question of the Da
I know, I know I called Cristobal Huet to be traded on the Ric Peterson Show, and Murray Wilson called Paddock's firing if the Sens lost to the Bruins after being shut out by the Leafs. So, what's next for Moff's Psychic Hotline? Moffat predicts:
*Kovalev will shoot his age...the dream of every golfer...and get to 35 goals before the end of the season.
*Carey Price will win his first NHL Playoff game and CJAD will play the entire song "SAVE A HORSE RIDE A COWBOY" to celebrate. Ride a Cowboy Goalie, Carbo! Ride a Cowboy Goalie.
*Sergei Federov will NOT carry the Capitals into the playoffs. But Ovechkin and Huet just might!
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day?
As for the Patriots, for all their horrible play selection, still were one dropped interception away from the perfect season. I still think they were robbed of a fumble recovery by a bad call that didn't even seem to be debated, but the Patriots did NOT deserve to win, and stripped of their historic opportunity, there is no way in the world they should be called the Best Ever in the NFL.
While I was stuck watching CTV proudly promote Canadian culture by running promos for Dexter the U.S. serial murderer ("David Fisher" from Six Feet Under seems as convincing as Lloyd Robertson or Sandy Rinaldo in that role), here's a new ad that is worthy of stirring the pot in the Best Ever NFL debate:
http://www.rbk.com/us/perfectville/
Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the New Year
RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY?
Alouettes players are buzzing about Marc Trestman, the latecomer to the coaching sweepstakes, but players are talking about him like he's already been officially hired. One Als' veteran says its great to see the club is not just "recycling" another coach from another CFL outpost: "it's a fresh start, he's got a great pedigree."
Trestman has worked with 8 different NFL teams in almost 25 years of coaching since his own failed tryouts with the Minnesota Vikings (one of the teams he ended up with on the coaching staff several years later) but the connection that leads him to Montreal was from one of his earliest stops in the NFL. Having coached QB star Bernie Kosar in college, Trestman was hired by the Browns to help the young star adapt to the NFL game. Also on staff with the Browns--Joe Popp, father of Jim.
Moff's Stupidd Kwestshun of the Day
There are lots of fans who've e-mailed me insisting the shiny black monstrosity on wheels and the flowing follicles are symptomatic of the same thing. CJAD listeners are volunteering to give the VP/GM/Head Coach a haircut, and there are many more fans who'd love to see an 'off with his head' approach taking the scissors and straight-edge razor to his flowing job-titles, not his locks. But I think Coach Popp just needs a lesson in humility, and I think 8-11 will give it to him.
Tout un capitaine!
I'm sure some of them wish they had half of Saku's money. But this is not about money. For the record, that's money Koivu has earned. With sweat, with blood, with torn ligaments, with chemo and radiation therapy sessions.
I'm sure some of them are envious of his good looks and charming family. Because they come off sounding angry and lonely and shrill, while Koivu lives a life full of warmth and the richness of a loving wife and cherished children.
Stuupid Quuestion of the Day
Proudfoot's teammates from the '74 and '77 Grey Cup teams have gathered to pay tribute to his heroics on and off the field. As Tony's roommate since CJAD 800 welcomed the Alouettes back to Montreal in 1996, I've lived with him more than anyone other than his wife Vicki! Tony' guilty pleasure: Cherry Blossoms. Oh yes, and he's never been wrong in his life. Even on predicting video replay challenges. Tony does not suffer fools, bad calls or kickers lightly.
Stupid Question a duh Day
STUPID QUESTION ov tha DAY
Stupidd Kwestion of the Day from Pittsburgh
Stupidd Questionn of the Day
MOFF'S WEEKLY NFL PICKS
CHECK THE GAZETTE TO SEE HOW I'M DOING AGAINST THOSE SO-CALLED EXPERTS TONY PROUDFOOT AND ED PHILION!
RAIDERS, TEXANS, RAVENS, LIONS, PACKERS, COWBOYS, BILLS, PANTHERS, 49ERS, STEELERS, CHARGERS, COLTS, GIANTS. PATRIOTS.
Stewpid Questshoen of the Day
Rick Moffat's Stoopiid Questshun of the Daye
Casey Printers can be like Michael Vick without the pitbulls, prosecutors and morality plays if he can rediscover the magic of his play with the BC Lions, so Als GM and Head Coach Jim Popp has to at least talk to the agent of the scrambler released by the NFL's Chiefs.