During one of those tedious exhibition games back when the Canadiens were preparing for another no-hope season, Red Fisher leaned over to me in the press box.
“Jack,” he said, “I read today that the average life expectancy for men in Canada is 79 years. Well, I’m 77 — and if I have to watch any more of this s***, I’m not going to make it to the average.”
Red, I’m pleased to remind you, made it well past the average — in every way. The Canadiens team he had covered for so many decades, however, remained relentlessly mediocre until Red’s retirement and beyond, up one season and down the next.
There were always star players around, but there simply weren’t enough. During every camp, Red would look over the latest batch of overrated prospects and growl, “Show me the players!”
Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson and Senators’ Ridly Greig battle for position in front of goaltender Jacob Fowler during second period of pre-season game at the Bell Centre on Saturday. Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images
Times change. If only Red could see this bunch: Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, Jakub Dobes and the remarkable, ankle-busting talent that is Lane Hutson. There’s a different vibe around this team, a feeling that can make even a pair of split-squad scrimmages against the Ontarios seem riveting. In this atmosphere, every move is scrutinized and every decision questioned.
For the first time during the rebuild, the Canadiens are going to have to deal with the weight of expectation. As they have zoomed up the charts from 55 to 106 points, they have outperformed predictions season after season — but now they are knocking at the door and in the minds of many fans, that means they’re only one trade away from the parade along the usual route.
When expectations aren’t met, look out. We thought we knew how the Canadiens would begin the season: Samuel Montembeault would be a backup goaltender in Edmonton or Irkutsk, Kirill Marchenko would be acquired for a roll of tape, and David Reinbacher would pair with Hutson in a duo that might be good for a decade.
Well, the joke’s on us. After a thoroughly shaky season, Montembeault had a strong camp and will back up Dobes in Montreal while Jacob Fowler gets more seasoning in Laval. If you believe the rumours, half the teams in the league are trying to deal for Marchenko and with Chris Kreider in place, the Canadiens have nowhere to play Marchenko, even if they were willing to part with the necessary assets.
But the real shocker, after everyone told us that Reinbacher would begin the season next to Hutson, is that Reinbacher (who seemed a perfect fit for Hutson’s mercurial talents) is returning to Laval.
Why? I suspect that it goes back to the Eastern Conference final, when the Canadiens were blown out of the rink by a Carolina Hurricanes team loaded with playoff-hardened veterans.
“It’s great if you had an awesome camp,” St. Louis said as the Canadiens pared their roster down, “but it’s not enough.”
An awesome camp wasn’t enough for Reinbacher, but it apparently was sufficient for Florian Xhekaj, to the delight of fans. No matter what Normand Flynn tries to tell you, however, Reinbacher will be with the big club soon. Fowler will eventually share goaltending duties in Montreal.
The players are here, Red. They’re talented, they’re ready to compete in the very deep, very tough Atlantic Division. They may not be bona fide Cup contenders quite yet, but they’re close.
It begins for real Tuesday night. Despite a very crowded field with Florida and the Leafs likely to be back in the mix, I’m going to pick the Canadiens to finish second in the division and third in the Eastern Conference.
After that, the crystal ball is cloudy.
Editor’s Picks
RIP, George: I always liked George Gillett Jr.
Gillett, who died last week at 87, was entertaining, sharper than a Gillette razor (no relation) and a guy you would have a beer with. Unlike, say, Tom Dundon, Daryl Katz or James Dolan.
Gillett was also a pretty good owner, even if his teams had little success on the ice. He put the organization on a more professional footing and (with his son Foster leading the way) he provided state-of-the-art game production. He’s also credited with keeping the Canadiens in Montreal, although I never believed they would leave.
Gillett bought 80.1 percent of the team and the Molson Centre in 2001 for $275 million (only $5 million more than the cost of the arena alone) and sold for $575 million eight years later — but at least he picked a solid local owner to take the reins in Geoff Molson. In many ways, the path Gillett charted is one the Canadiens are still following today — with more success.
Heroes: Magdeleine Vallières Mill, Leylah Fernandez, George Gillett Jr., Mark Messier, Samuel Montembeault, Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov, Juraj Slafkovsky, Phillip Danault, Chris Kreider, David Reinbacher, Florian Xhekaj, Florence Brunelle, Martin St. Louis, Jeff Gorton &&&& last but not least, Kent Hughes.
Zeros: Kawhi Leonard, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alexander Ovechkin, Ted Leonsis, Robert Kraft, Connor Hellebuyck, Mike Babcock, Ron MacLean, Normand Flynn, Tim Tebow, Lane Kiffin, Mark Walter, Bud Selig Jr., Claude Brochu &&&& last but not least, David Samson and Jeffrey Loria.
Now and forever.
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