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$\"Gravatar\"$ Good article. However, I disagree on how much it was needed that the Habs play for the Victoria Cup this year. It's already going to be a year full of happenings in Montreal with the Centenial, the All-Star game, Roy jersey retirement, the Draft. Every eyes will be on the Habs all year long.

I can wait until next year for the Victoria Cup. Hell, if we're going to show up for a game in Europe, might as well show up as Stanley Cup Champions $\"\"$
Big Brother | 09.17.08 - 3:11 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ \"I can wait until next year for the Victoria Cup. Hell, if we're going to show up for a game in Europe, might as well show up as Stanley Cup Champions \"

- Hell Yeah! I whole-heartedly agree with that sentiment although I also agree with Topham that it really SHOULD be the Habs that are chosen to represent the NHL in the first ever Victoria Cup game. We have the history, we have the European presence and most importantly, we have the record to prove it. The football analogies work well for me as well, having narrowly missed out on the opportunity to see Chelsea and AC Milan in North America several summers ago. The biggest teams in the world football scene all market themselves beyond the immediate sphere of their own leagues. It is so ingrained that unfortunately, even homeless children in the slums of our world are wearing the branded jerseys of teams such as Gillett's own Liverpool FC, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, FC Porto, etc, etc... If the league were serious about promoting their product to external sources of revenue, it would make every effort to expose said product to those markets. Here's hoping that the Habs' centennial anniversary year is merely the first in a series of fresh accomplishments for our storied club!
tru7h | 09.17.08 - 7:17 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Apart from the All-Star game, November 22 and the draft, there hasn't been much announced to be honest.

Plus those 3 events are minor hiccoughs. The draft and all-star game are annual events anyway. The only issue is that Montreal will be hosting. For the all-star game, this will mean more work for staff but if a player makes the game, it will actually be easier than usual with no travel. The draft is after the season and has no bearing on hockey played this season at all. And, the sweater retirement on November 22 is just another pre-game ceremony, which is nothing new at the Bell Centre.

I think a trip to Europe would have been a unique and exciting event. And with a Cup in hand to begin the season, something pretty cool. The Rangers got it right and Habs management didn't, in my opinion.

I think it's funny you both sprung for next year. This is a good idea. Consequently, next October will actually be part of our 100th year, not our 99th - so very fitting actually.
Topham | Homepage | 09.18.08 - 2:59 am | #

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