Alright, so "Centennial BS" isn't the best way to put it.
The team is suffering from over-achieving last season and a lot of hype entering the year because, hey, it is the 100th season and finishing 1st overall in the conference will do that (even if Pittsburgh gave them the #1 on a platter in their final game of the season).
Obviously the PR team's job is to spin that "everything is fine, everything is great and hey let's celebrate!" but even for the Habs I think it's been over the top. It has to have provided one hell of a distraction for the players, many of whom IMO have no connection or true concept as to why this team is held in such high regard by the city, province, and fans.
Many fans and players cheer and applaud because that's what they're supposed to do, not because they understand why they should. I pointed out earlier that JT saying a good many fans don't remember the Habs ever winning the Cup as valid because it's something that provides a true connection. For example, I say without hesitation that the Olympic gold medal in Salt Lake was my generation's '72 because as much as we can watch the games and so on from that series...but we have no concept of what it was like to watch the Summit Series and really understand the state of the game or players at that time.
So when the Centennial celebrations roll on it's supposed to be a love-in because we as Habs fans bask in past glory. Let's face it, there hasn't been much to cheer about in the last 30 years. We have issues attracting top free agents, who as JT accurately points out talk about playing for a team with great history more than coming to a winner and getting their name on a Cup. Maybe part of that is to appease the Montreal media.
We should be celebrating a historic year in the history of the franchise, but there comes a point where you have to ask...is this season about celebrating history or about writing more? One has had a big impact on the other.
The team is suffering from over-achieving last season and a lot of hype entering the year because, hey, it is the 100th season and finishing 1st overall in the conference will do that (even if Pittsburgh gave them the #1 on a platter in their final game of the season).
Obviously the PR team's job is to spin that "everything is fine, everything is great and hey let's celebrate!" but even for the Habs I think it's been over the top. It has to have provided one hell of a distraction for the players, many of whom IMO have no connection or true concept as to why this team is held in such high regard by the city, province, and fans.
Many fans and players cheer and applaud because that's what they're supposed to do, not because they understand why they should. I pointed out earlier that JT saying a good many fans don't remember the Habs ever winning the Cup as valid because it's something that provides a true connection. For example, I say without hesitation that the Olympic gold medal in Salt Lake was my generation's '72 because as much as we can watch the games and so on from that series...but we have no concept of what it was like to watch the Summit Series and really understand the state of the game or players at that time.
So when the Centennial celebrations roll on it's supposed to be a love-in because we as Habs fans bask in past glory. Let's face it, there hasn't been much to cheer about in the last 30 years. We have issues attracting top free agents, who as JT accurately points out talk about playing for a team with great history more than coming to a winner and getting their name on a Cup. Maybe part of that is to appease the Montreal media.
We should be celebrating a historic year in the history of the franchise, but there comes a point where you have to ask...is this season about celebrating history or about writing more? One has had a big impact on the other.