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About Mike Boone
Full Name
Mike Boone
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http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/columnists/mike_boone.html
About
I grew up in Park Extension, within walking distance of Dickie Moore's Dairy Queen on Jean Talon. Moore had a place on L'Acadie Blvd., and we used to see him driving around in his convertible with a Samoyed and a very dishy wife.
While "studying" at McGill University during the 1960s, I used to attend games at the old Montreal Forum. My fellow undergraduate reprobates and I would scramble up the stairs to get centre-ice spots in the top standing room section, where aged ushers didn't know or care what we were smoking.
I stood out in the cold for six hours to get tickets to the 1975 New Year's Eve game between the Canadiens and Central Red Army. With the exception of the birth of my daughter, the 3-3 tie was the greatest event I've ever seen in my life.
The Canada-U.S. Gold medal game comes close .... but I wasn't there.
I've been a professional journalist since 1974, when I joined the Montreal Star sports department. I've covered the 1976 Olympic Games, the 1979 Expos, pop music and MSO tours of Europe and Asia (classical musicians are WAY more fun to drink with than athletes). I wrote a TV & Radio column for 20 years and, since 2000, have written a City column for The Gazette.
The best part of being a Habs Inside/Out contributor is attending games at the Bell Centre. I think it's a great building: noisy, raucous and packed to the rafters with Montrealers and visitors who live for hockey.
And I still get goosebumps every time Michel Lacroix booms out "Accueillons nos Canadiens ..."
Having seen the Boston Red Sox win two World Series and the Pittsburgh Steelers add a couple Super Bowl titles, I suppose I can die happy ... but not before another Stanley Cup parade. And I'd really like my daughter to see a historic New Year's Eve game.
I like all the players. Covering baseball gives me a profound appreciation of pro athletes who aren't jerks.
My weltanschauung was summarized by the late great Bill Hicks when he said "all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream and we are the imagination of ourselves."
Have a nice day.
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Lots have changed for the Habs since any of my last posts...except one thing. And that's the level of muddle-headedness of the team's general management.
Personally, I would have chosen Halak over Price because of demonstrated skill, maturity and the confidence he generated among his team-mates. Many rightfully considered him a Conn Smythe candidate. They knew they could depend on him to make the big saves under pressure when one of them screwed up. Not so with Price. Due no doubt to team solidarity (and the players won't admit it) but you could see in their faces and on-ice demeanour that the defencemen especially were terrified that if they made the slightest error with Price in the net, it would likely result in a goal. It doesn't seem the best sort of way to build team morale for a serious run at the Cup does it?
In any event, Gauthier (a true Gainey disciple unfortunately) opted to go with Price and "trade" Halak. Or should I say give him to the Blues for a couple of farmhands who'll be lucky to even set foot in the Bell Centre sometime in the future.
Hmm...I wonder if the NHL should have a special Generosity Award for the GM who donates so much talent to other league teams and receives so little in return. That would likely be the only trophy the Habs would likely compete for and win. But I digress.
What is truly astounding is that the dumping of Halak was done BEFORE signing Price. For a GM who's supposed to be all concerned about salary-cap space he's left the vault door open for Price's agent all because, except for the back-up Auld. the Habs presently don't have a first-string goalie on the roster! Wouldn't it have made much more business sense to sign Price before trading Halak? The way it stands now the Habs run the very real risk of having lost the services of all their premier netminders and will have to pay a premium to sign one.
I'm guessing the only long-term hope for the Habs is for Geoff Molson to take control and boot the Boivin-Gauthier-Gainey clique out the door and get some real hockey men who know what they're doing to run the team properly. In the meantime.......sigh.
Just wondering, if you'd have signed Halak, how would you have payed for Pleks? And how exactly would you convince the other GM's to give you a superstar when the market clearly is not there for goalies? And once you got said superstar, how would you have mustered up the cap space to pay him?
And of course, we only got "farmhands." Eller clearly sucks, which is why most people project him to be an NHL 2nd line center.
I'm okay with criticism of the team, but please put a bit of thought into it.
Speaking of putting a little thought into things, do you honestly believe that the Habs would have gotten as far as they did in the playoffs with Price in the net? It was plain for all rational thinkers that Halak was almost single-handedly responsible for the incredible playoff run success. After all, let's be real, the Habs are not the greatest of teams at present. What happened this spring is that they: 1) possessed a hot goaltender who inspired his team-mates to frequently play at a level much higher than their collective talent level and 2) they had a large measure of good fortune as well. How else can you possibly explain how a team that was outshot so badly and so often managed to win so many games? And as a reward for Halak's valuable and outstanding play our "genius GM" gives him away for potentially useful but by no means guaranteed performers! Isn't the goal of any enterprise seeking success to keep what works and dump what doesn't? I've yet to run across any knowledgable hockey analyst who thinks otherwise. In fact isn't it the conventional wisdom as put forward by hockey gurus that a succesful team is built from the net outwards? I suppose Gauthier didn't believe the proof of that as witnessed by his own eyes this past spring.
As for Plekanec, what exactly makes him so valuable or sacred that he needed to be signed at all costs? He has exhibited somewhat of a tendency in his time with the Habs to fall into that category of player who's a regular season hero and a playoff zero. It must be one of Gauthier's criteria as he also just had to sign Pouliot who has shown so far to be that type of player as well. No one can deny that he virtually vanished in the playoffs.
Don't forget we live in an age of free agents. The current strategy seems to be go out and just sign up what you need as there's always a number available out there. Isn't that how the core of the Habs was built now? (For reference consider Gomez, Gill, Cammalleri, Gionta, Spacek and several other minor ones.)
All hockey experts and fans agree that the "real" season starts in April and ends in June. Any player who exhibits skill, can handle the pressure and excells at that time of the year belongs on the team. Any who fail to perform don't belong. And any who exhibits top ability both during the regular season and in the playoffs is a rare gem to be treasured. There's no question that Halak falls into this last category.
If the "market is clearly not there for goalies" as you claim, then how would you go about explaining why St. Louis promptly signed Halak for $15 million over 4 years? Perhaps you ought to take your own advice and put some thought into what you write down.
Gagne just announced at his golf tournament that he's been traded but he's not allowed to say to which team. Any guesses? I think LA is a possibility.
"I gotta feeling...that tonight's gonna be a good night!"
well it's deffinately a good team if he wavied his NTC
I doubt it's columbus or some thing like that.
hmm i will go crazy and say rangers
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88 is the new 23
Rangers are good??? They need cap space to resign M. Staal anyway. I think he'll be heading West.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
that was the joke... yeesh SF common man
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88 is the new 23
Getting a bit too used to scrolling these comments and seeing the crazy stuff I guess. These trolls are prompting me too skip over a bit when I read and I seem to be missing more than usual.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
source?
If it's LA, Kovalchuk is right and screwed and will have to sign cheaper than he'd like with whoever might take him.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
He has no one to blame but himself .....LOL ....
Heh heh.
Good on San Jose. People moaning about 'dirty pool' make me chuckle.
Never quite understood that concept; you're not supposed to try to win by putting your opponent in a difficult position? If you're smart enough to negotiate yourself into a good spot, surely you should be able to reap the rewards.
---Hope Springs Eternal---
It is based on the theory of bad Karma and that what goes around comes around.
Once you open that pandora's box then every team stands to suffer the same fate. Just because you CAN do something does not always mean you SHOULD.
Flyers are 1.4 M above cap space. Looks like Gagne is going to get traded soon.
So Price and Lapierre both have not signed yet. I wonder if PG is planning something...personally I love the direction this team is taking right now. Not one person can predict how good or how bad this team will be, we never had a healthy lineup all year...lost Markov for almost an entire season...made it to the ECF!
This team can be very elusive at times, you never know what they will do...seriously, you could not predict from 07-08, the team would be this transformed.
I really think this team is in excellent hands now. I like how the Molsons are going to be "Hands-On" owners. They know hockey, and are smart businessmen. If you don't think they want this team to succeed, you're smokin' something.
Very cool, Atlantic Nationals are back here in Moncton this weekend (sucks it is going to rain). There are so many nice cars here.
GO HABS GO!
excuse me, but Markov was back in the lineup Dec 1st. 2 months gone is NOT an entire season. It's not even 1/2 a season!
You missed the point but that is fine. I have already been called an idiot. Oops
Markov returned Dec. 19th for a 3-0 win over the NYI and missed 35 games, close to half the season really.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
and scored 2 goals in that game
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88 is the new 23
No real team would give a poop when those two sign. It's not like they're Cuppers!
Are you still bitter Crosby scored the GWG to win gold.
Now there is a player I wished the Habs had...you, weren't you injury plagued in your last years? Why did the Habs take you back in the end?
Gone swimming lately?
What ever happen to Max Paccoriety?
I thought about it up here in the great beyond and I have this feeling he is going to the Miami Heat.
He decided to have his name changed apparently...
Keepin it real, I be chillin as
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Brotha to the Man with the Plan, Product-runnin Lead Houndogg with the Voodoo Flannel Posse, and Pimp Extraordinaire of Habsbros Mama Jones Snow Cones, muthafugga: http://habsbros.blogspot.com
The boys at RADIO FREE TIMO (RFT) were able to make contact with me from the great rink in the sky. I await your questions.
Could I have played for you?
On the big team Chris? Probably not. I liked tough guys who could actually get me 20 goals per season like John Ferguson. Just thinking about you on that line with Jean Beliveau and Yvon Cournoyer seems like a violation of all that is holy. You did the job they asked you to do in your era, but frankly, I would have preferred Clark Gilles.
how does Philly afford Zerdev and trade Gagne? Plz someone ezxplain?
how were they able to add pronger last year? their capologist knows what he is doing.
understatement of the year...
I can't. That picture is distracting. Where can i get that for my wife?
lol.. that IS my wife
NEVER put up a pic of your wife or girlfriend as an avatar dude. I learned that lesson myself a while back. A lot of people on HIO take great offense to it for some reason.
She does look fine though. xD
People took offense to it because it was a clearly underage girl and your name is tripleX, dumbass.
1. yes my gf is 15...what concern is that of yours or is it illegal
2. very mature to call someone a dumbass.....what in my response required that
3. my name is not Triplex anymore than yours is Brian Burke so I fail to see the significance except in your perverted mind
4. Triplex was the name of a character in a movie and is also the name of a famous wrestler
5. you sir have a MAJOR problem
6. so what is the excuse for the abuse this person is receiving as his wife looks of age and his name can not in any way be perverted
7. i will not bother to call you names as what point is served by sinking to your level
8. the real Brian Burke should sue you for defamation of character
hummm, looks like a guy in drag to me!!!
Lucky you.
once yur married that's as close as i get,........ k so... what about this Philly situation? Gotta move Gagne to get under cap but the sign a $2.5 - $3 mill player?
There is a reason she's shot from behind dude!
ya cuz you guys would loose your minds... talk hockey one handers!
Ouch!
As Dennis Hopper might have said, "It's actually a dude man!"
does anyone have any insight on here? c'mon knuckles nilan.
It's summer. You have the World Cup Final on Sunday. Who gives a rat's *** damn about this sad-*** franchise?
you must... you're here no? why waste your time then? go have a wank to my avatar.
A dude shot from behind doesn't do it for all of us!
k/.. yur clearly dumb
Wow, you floored me with that one. Woo, woo!!!
What a fight? Without the words Halak and Price?...I must be losing my mind...
I'll still take Philly's team in a heartbeat over our AHL team. that's exactly what we have. excvept for 3 NHL players, the rest are all 4th liners, and that's exactly what PG wants. a cheap no talent team, that won't compete.
habs will be damn lucky to finish in 10th place. more likely 13th!
I'll still take Philly's team in a heartbeat
No one is holding you back.
not at all. but should have been improved like all teams do at trade deadlines and free agencies and by trade when they are trying to compete for more than the mediocrity of 8th place.
LOL! Komi at $6mm this year. Loser.
Komi @ $6MM= WINNER!
I assume you mean Komi himself and yes I can't disagree. New comment-Burke is a loser.
Hey, Burkie had a decent year! He took a US Olympic team that wasn't supposed to do "jack" within a BS goal of copping the goal medal. Dude does know how to put a team together.
No way! I live outside of T.O. Most of my buddies are leaf fans and they don't like many of his moves. Their D looks decent -on paper. Kaberle will be dealt and I believe they become weaker. Unless their goaltending stands on its head, they are headed for another playoff miss. The Monster and Giguere. No thanks. Look for Ron Wilson to be fired before Christmas . Boston picks up another nice draft pick. No top 6 forwards other than Kessel and Versteeg who is really a strong bottom 6. If they try to add a top 6 from trading Kaberle, i don;t believe it will be anything other than a 50 point guy like Ryan Clough of San Jose. Burke is like a used car salesman. Talks a good game but blows a lot of BS.
They will be fighting for a playoff spot in his 2nd full year. Both Eller and Palushaj were chosen by St. Louis in Round 1 and 2 in 2007 in slots Burke traded to San Jose in the Toskala trade.
CODE RED!
We have a Code Red Alert! Infidel leaf under the wire! This is not a drill! Code Red! Enemy leaf on the grounds! Full-Sector Search Protocol activated! All Partisans to comply with Officers of the Flannel! Code Red Emergency! Nemesis leaf has bypassed defences! Sanitization Protocol activated! Code Red Alert! Immediate Retrieval and Removal Priority One! Code Red! This is not a drill! Alert, Alert, Alert! Jealous leaf through the Gate! Purification Protocol activated! You have 2 minutes to reach Minimal Safe Distance before the release of radioactive leaf-eating caterpillars! This is a Code Red!
1:58, 1:57, 1:56...
CODE RED EMERGENCY!
Keepin it real, I be chillin as
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Brotha to the Man with the Plan, Product-runnin Lead Houndogg with the Voodoo Flannel Posse, and Pimp Extraordinaire of Habsbros Mama Jones Snow Cones, muthafugga: http://habsbros.blogspot.com
LMFAO
Dude's right. Sans Halak, this team is out in five against the Caps.
you're wrong! without halak habs never would have even made the playoffs.
You are right!!! And, I am wrong!
Schultz as the next Lucic?
If he beats the snot out of Komi in the first game of the season against the Laffs, I'll be a believer!
XXIV...and counting
I got a question for whoever it may concern.
Its about that "La Presse reports extra police for the playoffs cost $2 million" Artical.
I dont know any french but when a Leafs fan transolated that, it didnt sound true
I was told today that we were crazy and we always have to go all out for the littlest reasons, its something I believed lol, but my dad who comes from a large family of Leafs Fans, told me that the Police was charging the Canadiens Organization for the riots/damages - So its the reason why the Canadiens Organization raised the seating prices, but when I thought it was because of the good playoff run. If this is right, then I guess Leaf fans really do know alot of the Canadiens heheh
but i was just carious... someone tell me
Sounds nebulous...I doubt they gave the Habs a bill for the riots/damage...but I wouldn't put it past some marketing weasel to use it as justification to raise the beer prices to $15 a cup next season...
XXIV...and counting
Not sure if this has been mentioned here yet,
Eklund's latest :
"The Canadiens are rumored to be possibly putting an offer sheet together for a forward..can't confirm if that forward is Bobby Ryan, but one source believes it to be the case."
Carcillo? Laps and that idiot on the same line. Now that would be fun to watch.
They better do something whether by trade or this if were true because it's going to be a long and disappointing season here because of the little has been done so far as all around improved.
What about an offer sheet for Crosby? Why can't we put down an offer sheet for Crosby? I say we put in an offer sheet for Crosby.
I don't care about rules. I don't care about contracts. All I care about is an offer sheet for Crosby.
C'mon! Let's just DO IT and work out the "rules" and "regulations" and whatnot for laters.
...bobby ryan...
Dealin in BEADS over here, what!
Keepin it real, I be chillin as
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Brotha to the Man with the Plan, Product-runnin Lead Houndogg with the Voodoo Flannel Posse, and Pimp Extraordinaire of Habsbros Mama Jones Snow Cones, muthafugga: http://habsbros.blogspot.com
Max Lapierre?
XXIV...and counting
Pierre Dagenais.
Serge Boisvert is making a comeback....
XXIV...and counting
#12 -1986? What about Dave Maley?
#8 awesome...need to have Bill Root on D!
XXIV...and counting
LOL! Pair him with Rick Chartraw.
LOL!
He is very accurate with what he posts.
Kevin Lowe will make a offer sheet to Carey Price for 15 million for 3 years.
And Pierre Gauthier will assassinate Taylor Hall.
They wanna play rough? Let's play rough.
Keepin it real, I be chillin as
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Brotha to the Man with the Plan, Product-runnin Lead Houndogg with the Voodoo Flannel Posse, and Pimp Extraordinaire of Habsbros Mama Jones Snow Cones, muthafugga: http://habsbros.blogspot.com
With a vegimatic.
No way!! Carey is ours... no one esles, no matter how much money they throw at him.
Stop Bogartin' that joint!
Its half filter anyways...
XXIV...and counting
why couldn't he do it earlier so we'd get the 2010 first overall pick instead of the 2011.
Could we be so lucky?
Tonight on RADIO FREE TIMO (RFT): 8:30pm Tony 242 will lead a seance and attempt to make contact with Toe Blake and get his thoughts on the current state of the team entering the 2010-11 season. Send your questions for Toe to sheldon@st.albans.VT.com.
Until groups of players starting working together and saying "hey we want to win the cup, we want to play together, damn the salary cut (or lack of raise)". Your going to forever see these teams win one or two before falling apart as UFAs go looking for the next big pay day at which ever city is willing to throw away the most money.
Hossa did it... And he got himself a cup.
The problem is that when it comes down to it... getting a 2-3million dollar raise, means more on an individual level to most than bringing home a big shinny champagne cup.
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