Freddie P's Blog

Category: Sports

The Montreal Canadiens excessively weak finish to the regular season is causing problems for the city.

With hundreds of thousands of Montrealers having moved to Toronto over past decade the cities tax base has been eroded to the point where budgeting has become a major concern.

That's where the Habs come in. Obviously, if the pip squeak team had played to their proper level all season long this wouldn't have been a problem, but now that the Habs have found reality had become one of the NHL's also-rans, Montreal Police have been left scratching their heads.

Do they go ahead and schedule over-time for their riot police, or do they hold-on and see if the Habs collapse during the final week. Granted, one Hab victory and one Carolina victory puts Montreal into the playoffs, but you know what they say, don't count your poulets before they're hatched.

Yes, the Habs have a game against Ottawa, but it's in Ottawa. Their other two games are against the much stronger Chicago Black Hawks and Toronto Maple Leafs.

According to insiders there's a wave of unprecedented thinking at Montreal City Hall. Some are actually hoping the Habs don't make it so they can save on policing the inevitable riots that coincide with any Canadiens playoff birth.

This year especially, city fathers realize the team is too small, too soft and too worn down to make a run, so they'd rather have them miss the playoffs altogether than spend a couple of million risking the lives of their officers and firefighters who will have to deal with smashed windows, burning cars and physical assaults should the Habs lose game one of the opening round.

The concern has escalated this year because the Habs are pushing towards two decades without a Stanley Cup and for some reason they think because they used to win a lot, that's supposed to continue, even with less than formidable teams.

As of Sunday morning the Mayor Gerald Tremblay and his staff were conducting a cost evaluation. Would it be cheaper to go ahead and schedule the riot squad, or bus in fans from Toronto who could school Hab fans on decent behaviour when things don't go entirely your way?

They're willing to pay for Toronto's class.

The city of Montreal is on edge this morning, anticipating an ugly scene in the next week or so.

A playoff birth is nice in theory, but what will it accomplish with zero victories and millions in damage?

Category: Sports

I should have gotten to this earlier, but there really isn't a lot to say about the Matt Cooke suspensions.

The NHL blew it again, at very least he should have received the remainder of the season and "all" of the playoffs. But that's the NHL for you, even when they have an opportunity handed to them on a silver platter to set a clear cut example, they screw it up.

I don't see any need for further analyses because it's all been said. Everything I've read criticizing the suspension is valid.

As far as CanadianThinker.com is concerned, what did come out of this story was another dimension provided by my good friend and sinister Hab fan Jeff Lumby.

Here's what he wrote.

Freddie, Agree with everything you said about Kook...ah Cooke. The point about a few ruining it for others is well taken. Other players need to step up...ex-players really need to step up....MARIO??? Freddie, can you do me a favor though, since you brought it up (and no I don't put a "u" in favor or color, it's stupid), stop saying Chara has no history with suspensions. It's immaterial. So because you have no suspensions the league can't give you your first?? Ridiculous. That fact has no merit in the conversation. By the way, the league stunk the joint out with the Cooke suspension. Wimps.

And here's how I replied.

@Lumby - History has a lot to do with it because, whether right or wrong, its a huge criteria for how the NHL hands down suspensions. Unless its a blatant case of intent to injure, which this wasn't, the NHL has to consider a player's character and history. And that's exactly why you're correct about Matt Cooke. Chara got what he deserved, Cooke didn't.

And one other thing.

The release of the federal budget yesterday reveals why it's time for this country to move on from a minority government.

When the likes of Jack Layton and his broken down irrelevant party is given legitmacy it's time for change.

I think the inevitable election is going to provide some dramatic change in Canada. If we get a Conservative majority, it will provide a stability that we haven't seen in years. If the Conservatives get another minority, I think you'll see Stephen Harper walk and go earn some real money. And if the Liberals get a minority, the country deserves everything it gets.

Category: Politics | Sports | Stuff

After this latest assault on a fellow player, Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins doesn't need a suspension, he needs an examination.

He needs to be examined by the best the psychiatric field has to offer, because Matt Cooke has moved beyond just being a dirty, slimy back stabbing little prick of a player, he's moved into mental illness territory.

How can there be any other explanation? After what Cooke has committed over the past couple of years, and given what the NHL is currently going through when it comes to head shots, Cooke's blatant shot to the head of the Rangers Ryan McDonagh yesterday makes him the undisputed king of NHL imbeciles.

Cooke has been suspended three times over the past three seasons for illegal hits. He also delivered a hit on Boston's Marc Savard in March of last year that resulted in a severe concussion and prompted the NHL to adopt a new rule that bans blindside hits to the head.

So this is it, it's time for the NHL to step up and show that they're genuinely serious about the rash of head injuries. They should consider this skunk's pathetic recent history and suspend him for the rest of the season and the playoffs - and maybe a few games into next year.

Hell, given his recent history and total disregard for his fellow workers, they should consider throwing him out of the league for good, but anything short of the remainder of this season and the playoffs will be a joke.

And it should go beyond the league. How ironic that Mario Lemieux yapped about head shots in the league just a few short weeks ago when he employs public enemy number one. Nice try at diversion Mario.

Cooke's teammates should show some class as well. Yes, it's a fast, hard hitting competitive game, but Cooke has crossed the line too many times and even the Pittsburgh Penguins should be disgusted at this latest incident, and while we're at it, its time for the rest of the players in the NHL to speak up and indentify the handful of idiots who are putting negative pressure on the league and affecting the over-all product.

To support Matt Cooke going forward as teammate or a workmate will do nothing but put a deeper blemish on the league.

I'm sure there are those who will want to compare this to the Zdeno Chara incident (Hab fans) but that's ridiculous.

Chara has no history and that hit was of completely different circumstances. In this latest assault by Cooke, he charged at Callahan and then deliberately raised his elbow.

It was calculated, it was disgusting, it was dirty and it was his fourth offence in a relatively short period of time? What else does the NHL need to make a statement?

As for Cooke, I stand by my opening statement. For him to do this again, given the current atmoshpere, the man (?) needs professional help.

Category: Sports

I received a message on my Facebook page from Freeway Frank last night. All it said was fooooooooooooooooore.

I get it. It's an old and tired line, and I hope he updates his act before becoming morning man at Virgin Radio in Montreal, but what he's referring to is the Leafs. Their goofy little run at a playoff spot came to an end last night with a 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Before I get to the Leafs, let me say this. Despite the sparring back and forth with the likes of Frank and other aggravating Hab fans this year, I really am impressed with what the Canadiens have done this year. I didn't expect it going into the season, and it only became more impressive as the season went along and they maintained their excellent play despite some key injuries.

You look at their roster and you scratch your. How did that lineup provide those results?

Well, I think the answer is coaching and to my mind it exposes the biggest gap between the Leafs and Habs. Yes, the Habs have better players than the Leafs, but not that much better. As the season draws to a close I think it's safe to say Jacques Martin got a lot more out of his players than Ron Wilson got out of his.

During the Leafs half decent run since the all-star break the point was made several times in the media that Wilson had probably earned a new contract. We can only hope that's not true.

If this season has proved anything, it's that Ron Wilson is not the coach for this team. As Brian Burke improves the roster, the same can't be said about key coaching elements like the power play, penalty killing and blatant give-aways which are usually tied to a loose system.

Over the past week or so, when the pressure was the Leafs to elevate their game even more and reach for the reachable, they've lost four of their last five. Obviously, other than the Buffalo game, they weren't ready to play, and that too can be tied to coaching.

Ron Wilson gave it a shot, but I think we can safely say, he failed. It's time to move on and Brian Burke should not only continue to build the roster, he should continue to build the coaching staff and the next move should be the main man.

But back to the Habs for a second. They've played very well this year, but I'm hoping this aggravation will end in the playoffs. They're small and soft and understaffed and should be handled quite easily in a playoff atmosphere.

With any luck, the Habs should end up in the tee-box right behind the Leafs and the Montreal Cup drought will reach 18 seasons.

I realize it's not 44, but its still a long time. Long enough to shut-up the goof balls.

Category: Sports

The Zdeno Chara / Max Pacioretty incident might go down as the most amazing event in the history of the world.

How many other world events have dramatically increased the intelligence of so many?

Name me one other event that turned so many average men into instant psychiatrists, psychologists, psychics, thought analysis experts and behaviour specialists.

I'm dumbfounded by the number of people who've contributed to this blog over the past few days who can say in all confidence and with the utmost conviction that they knew exactly what was going through Zdeno Chara's mind during the 1.8 seconds it took for Max Pacioretty to kiss the stanchion.

In some ways I feel stupid. All these other people have become instant brainiacs but I haven't. All these other people have been instantly blessed with so much knowledge, and I've been left behind.

I've looked at the video over and over and over again and I can't catch the magic. Still, all I see is a questionable interference penalty and an unfortunate accident.

Meanwhile, good on Don Cherry for calling out Air Canada during Coach's Corner last night. I hope it doesn't take anyone too long to figure out why Air Canada as a business is such a freakin' disaster.

When VP of Communications Denis Vandal threatens to end its association with the NHL because of the Chara hit, you can appreciate how fucked up they are. Especially when you consider Air Canada's head office is in Montreal and Vandal is known for tweeting up to the minute Hab scores.

It was a knee jerk, emotional, homer decision which makes me wonder if I want these people to be responsible for me when I'm 38 thouand feet in the air.

Instead of worrying about Zdeno Chara, Vandal should worry about his airline's shitty service and outrageously unhappy employees.

Category: Sports

Thanks everyone for your fabulous response to "Shut-up Hab Fans." Not only does it display the passion we Canknuckleheads have for hockey, it also displays what a great country we live in.

When a hockey hit is the biggest issue across the land, you know you live in freakin' paradise.

But beyond that, lets get a grip on this. As expected this has become somewhat of a partisan issue. If you love the Habs, as creepy as that is, you think Chara should hang by the neck until he is dead. If you don't like the Habs, then there was nothing wrong with what happened.

I can see how this is polarizing. But let's cut through the bullshit and see it for what it was, it was an interference penalty that went terribly wrong. End of story.

Some of the stuff that has been written on CanadianThinker is mind blowing, especially the offerings from Freeway Frank who compares it to the Dave Winfield / seagull incident from a couple of decades ago. You know, back around the last time the Habs won the Cup. So long ago it's now irrelevant.

The Montreal Police investigation of the Chara hit is ridiculous, nothing but an emotional over-reaction from a city that's in a snit because there are now players in the league who weren't born the last time the Habs hoisted Stanley.

To compare Winfield and Chara is stupid because I don't think there's anyone in Toronto thinks that Winfield should have been charged. Yes, it was stupid, just like the current investigation in Montreal.

Some take swipes at Toronto using the "army snow clearing" incident that took place several years ago. I always laugh at this one, because it was a good idea. It's important to keep Canada's economic engine revving and the military is there to protect the country. Not only that, but it meant the tens of thousands of Montrealers who have defected to Toronto were able to get to their jobs that day.

The other comparison that has been thrown up is the Doug Gilmour / Wayne Gretzky incident from ancient times, which incidentally (1993) is the last time the Habs won a Cup.

This only underlines the Chara story. Yes, Leafs fans were emotional at the time, and yes they over-reacted, but at least that was an actual penalty that went unpunished. Chara got the penalty he deserved and then some.

Believe me, there's part of me that wishes the NHL has blown this one because I disagree with a lot of what they do, but what was given Chara this week was completely adequate.

When Max Pacioretty decided to take the inside at that particular moment, what did he expect Chara to do, let him skate by?

Chara did what any defenseman would instinctively do but unfortunately the result was disastrous.

Don't blame Chara, blame the stanchion.

Category: Sports

Meanwhile, to be fair I thought I would highlight the reaction from broadcaster and voice-actor Jeff Lumby.

Lumby grew up in Saskatchewan, but despite that being Leaf territory he somehow became a Hab fan.

"Freddie, Freddie, Freddie. Anyone who thinks this hit was an accident has never laced up a pair of skates. Not only was it intentional, IT WAS A HEAD SHOT!!!! Check out the elbow to the back of the HEAD, subsequently driving his HEAD into the stanchion. Chara should be gone for the season.
Can you imagine the outcry if little Darcy Smucker would have been ridden into the stanchion? Please. Well, if you don't believe Freeway and me, at least believe Henrik Sedin and Joe Thornton. This from the Gazette."

Habs coach hopes for debate on NHL discipline.

Category: Sports

Like most people I'm often left scratching my head when it comes to disciplinary rulings by the National Hockey League, but today I'm convinced they got it right.

Zdeno Chara will not be suspended for last nights hit on Montreal's Max Pacioretty.

If the Chara hit did anything it highlighted why Hab fans are so bloody aggravating.

If there was anything wrong with the incident it was the ten minute misconduct that was given to Chara along with his interference penalty. He didn't deserve it.

This was nothing more than an unfortunate accident. There's no doubt that Chara committed interference, but if anybody thinks he purposely drove Pacioretty into the stanchion to deliberately hurt him is out of their mind.

Then again, most Hab fans are out of their minds.

Zdeno Chara has no history of being dirty and he's never been the subject of supplemental discipline over his 13 year career.

If the same play had taken place anywhere else along the boards it would have nothing more than a routine hockey play with a minor infraction.

NHL Senior Vice President Mike Murphy hit the nail on the head when he released this statement. "I could not find any evidence to suggest that, beyond this being a correct call for interference, Chara targeted the head of his opponent, left his feet or delivered the check in any other manner that could be deemed to be dangerous."

Of course Hab fans aren't buyin' it. Led by my freakish friend Freeway Frank, you'd think Chara was the dirtiest prick whoever laced on a pair of skates. They actually think it was a case of premeditated precision timing.

Chara's good, but he ain't that good.

Category: Sports

First of all, let's get this out the way. This weekend showed us all we need to know about the Toronto Maple Leafs.

When they desperately needed points during a dreamer attempt at a playoff spot, they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins farm team and the sad sack Atlanta Thrashers.

This team is not going to make the playoffs because they aren't ready to make the playoffs. They still don't have enough.

Now let me sink my teeth into Dion Phaneuf. If Brian Burke was going trade anyone before tomorrow's deadline, it should be Phaneuf. I realize at five million dollars a year and blessed with very little hockey ability it will be tough, but he should at least try.

Maybe there's a team out that can get sucked in the way Burke did last year. Maybe there's a contender that thinks they can rehabilitate this stiff and re-capture the magic of his first couple of years with the Calgary Flames.

If Burke can turn this six-foot-three mistake into a second round draft pick he should do it. To Burke's credit he didn't give up a lot to get Phaneuf, but what he carries against the cap and the damage he does on the ice makes him a prime candidate for leaving town.

Unfortunately the Leafs have backed themselves right into a corner with this guy. By over-rating him, then signing him and then making him captain they have to justify his existence by putting him on the ice, and I can understand that. But tomorrow's trade deadline could go in a low way in doing something that's very important to Brian Burke, and that's saving face.

By moving Phaneuf for a draft pick he could save the franchise lots of money over the next few years, he'd eliminate a turn-over machine and he'd make the fans happy by adding to the stockpile of draft picks.

It would also give the Leafs the chance to start all over again in the captain process.

We can only hope that there's a team out there that sees something in Dion Phaneuf. Maybe if placed on a better team his shortcomings will be lessened and he could actually contribute.

I wouldn't count on it. After witnessing the captain's performance in a must-win situation against the Atlanta Thrashers, I'd say he's a lost cause.

But maybe, just maybe there's an NHL general manager who thinks otherwise.

Category: Sports