After a somewhat disappointing weekend for all Habbs fans with a lot of rumors and no signings at all, I decided to take a look at the brighter side of things, and a couple of reasons why no players have signed in with the club.

I have to admitt that key NHL players are not interrested in signing in Montreal and that is the main reason why Gainey coudn't land or convince any of them to join his team.You guys might think that it is a real privillage for any athlete to play for the Canadiens and it is in all the meaning of the word. The Canadiens are afterall  the team with the most glory and cups and history in the game worldwide and is definatly amongst the giant clubs in all sports combined, just like the Yankees and the Lakers and Barcelona and Madrid etc... But wait, there is a catch and a big one in Montreal that keeps those athletes away from it.

First comes the high taxes inposed on them in the city of Montreal compared to other US and Canadian cities.

 Second is the political instability that is inexistant in all other 31 teams.

Third is the lack of English schools in the province, I mean who would want to come play in montreal and have his kids study for a couple of years in French only? Maybe ony French players, but they too are a bit affraid of playing here due to unnecessary press pressure as well as the higher taxes.

Forth and I am sure there are planty of more reasons, comes the Harsh Montreal weather where the players and every normal human being try to avoid if given the chance to play and live down south or maybe in the heartland.

That is probably why we often hear about rumors that never become reality. And that is why I understan now why Ganey hasn't done anything in this year's free trade agency yet. The only way we will have players come to Montreal is through trades, so fans be patient.

Now I look at the Habbs roster and analyse it a bit and realise that really, we don't need to panic but we need to be patient another year or two maximum.

In front we have a good bunch of new energetic, skilled and able players in Perezogin-Plekanec- Higgins- Ryder- Koystitsyn brothers- Grabovsky- Latendresse.. Just to name a few of them, among with a good solid couple of veterans in Koivu- Kovalev-Begin-Murray.. Maybe here we need a small upgrade but not urgently.

In the back as well we have a good bunch of solid players in Rivet- Markov- Surray (When he doesn't try to figure skate)- Komisarek- Bouillon- Dandenault- Streit (Wait and see)...

In the goals as well, and I realy think, we have one of the best duos in the league in Huet and Aebisher, and in Hamiton we have some great prospects in Danis and Price.

Now if you look at the Habbs of last season you can't but realise and admitt that with solid goal tending, they were right on top of any other club facing them. The major problem we faced was the loose play of Theodore wich contibuted in the final low ranking of the team in the easter division greatly. Now I have no doubt that Theodore will come back and play the way he is capable of doing but sincerely he needed a change of scenery, and we needed a new look. So I strongly beleive that him being traded has openned a new window of hope for both the Habbs and him.

So there you go, some of you might think I am being too optimistic, some of you might think I don't know my Hockey, but with the solid coaching staff that Gainey brought in behind the bench, I see our Habbs finishing in 4rth or higher place next season.

Ninoz.

That is the first question i asked myself when i heard the news yesterday. Is the great Roy going to the HOF in a Canadiens or Avalanche Jursey?

There is no doubt that Roy is amongst the best in the world in what he does and inducting him in the HOF is no surprise. Throughout the years he showed nothing but good work ethics and dedication to the game as well as an unmatched will and drive to win, and win indeed he did!

I grew up as him being my Idol, just like many other Canadians especially Montrealers, and back in the days when he was still a Habb, it felt as if every year he could bring us another cup no matter who played in front of him and against him, he just brings you that feeling... Certainly he was able to accomplish the job all alone and he did that on more than one occasion.  The biggest moment of my life came when i found myself taking a leek next to to my Idol at shark's in downtown Montreal one night. I just couldn't beleive it. I remember Captain Kirk being in the bathrooms too and they were just laughing out loud about a cooment made by Coach Demers about one of the officials, but i was a bit too drunk to remember what it was. Anyway...

It was one of the saddest days in the franchise when he and the coach, i am sorry but still to this day i can't pronounce his name and can't forgive him, but you know who he is, had their discussion that lead to his departure to Colorado. Since that day the Habbs have never been the same, have had nothing but desapointing seasons and have never regained the winning touch and caracter they once owned, untill this past season where we could feel a bit of hope after years and years of restructuring. Now you can imagine just how much we lost by losing Roy's services.

People in Quebec have treated Roy and many other local heros like Zeros as soon as they deliver a bad game, just look at how many good players we have either broke down their careers or just shipped them away. And Roy was no exception, we just had to give him away because we were all just jealous.

So back to my real question, it remains to be seen with what jursey he decides to enter the HOF.  I certainly hope he choses the Habbs but certainly would understand uand respect if he choses the Avalanche's, for they knew how to treat a King like a King.

Ninoz

For all of you Habs fans out there who would like to discuss our beloved team's trades, rumors, games and gossyps i have created this blog hoping that you make of it a regular step in your daily fan life.

Here you don't have to write a thousand words to be posted, nor beg the administrator to publish your comments and most of all you don't have to write in French heck! you can even post some bad words just for the fun of it!

I know i am looking forward to next season and my hopes are way up high especially now that most of our X-Captains are in the house. The one I really admire the most is Captain Kirk and i believe his contribution would be felt gr8tly.

So there you go, start posting and let #25 come home soon.

GO HABS GO!