Geoff Molson Speaks
by Andrew Berkshire on Mar 10, 2011 4:28 PM EST
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PrintDear Fans,
I would like to thank you all for your comments and support as the Pacioretty family, and our entire organization, deal with this difficult situation. I share your frustration, disappointment and shock. I feel for Max, the team and you, our fans.
Max, on behalf of my family, fans and all who are associated with this great organization, rest assured that we are all behind you and hope for a full recovery.
The Montreal Canadiens is an institution that has played a leadership role in this League and in our community for over 100 years, and you can count on us to continue to do so in the future. The news of the NHL decision yesterday was a hard blow for both the players and fans of the Montreal Canadiens. It was one which shook the faith that we, as a community, have in this sport that we hold in such high regard.
The Montreal Canadiens organization does not agree with the decision taken yesterday by the National Hockey League. We can assure you that we have made our position clear to Commissioner Gary Bettman, and that he has agreed to make this issue a priority at the next General Manager’s meeting, which will be held in Florida on March 14-16. Pierre Gauthier, our General Manager, will be present at this meeting and has already expressed his wish to carry out, clearly, our message to his 29 counterparts and to the League.
Our organization believes that the players’ safety in hockey has become a major concern, and that this situation has reached a point of urgency. At risk are some of the greatest professional athletes in the world, our fan base and the health of our sport at all levels. Players’ safety in hockey must become the ultimate priority and the situation must be addressed immediately. As a proud father of three hockey players, I want to help create a healthy and safe experience for them, and I certainly never want any family to go through what the Pacioretty’s are experiencing at this moment.
We understand and appreciate hockey being a physical sport, but we do not accept any violent behavior that will put the players’ health and safety at risk. On this specific issue, I am asking for the support of the 29 other NHL owners, to address urgently this safety issue. And I am willing to play a leadership role in coordinating this group effort.
You are the best fans in the league, and I am proud to have you behind us. Both the team and Max need your support now more than ever. A solid playoff run is just around the corner and we are counting on you to carry us deep into the spring!
GO HABS GO!
Geoff Molson
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Team Owner
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Couldn’t be more proud to have the Habs crest tattooed on my left calf. What a fantastic way to address a worthless commissioner and staff. Whats done is done and this now is bigger than Chara, it is actually going to be about the safety of the players and the game itself.
Even more proud, and amazed, that Patches is home!
Ok, this is getting silly
it was a dirty hit, but where was this reaction towards Cooke, a far worse hit? Not worse result, but worse intent.
I respect your organization and feel for pacioretty. But this is getting silly now.
Time to clean up the act
First, your point is valid. However, what is getting silly is that the NHL is not cracking down on these hits. As far as I am concerned, its time that the owners (all of them) take a stand.
by Richard Deschambault on Mar 10, 2011 5:46 PM EST up reply actions
There was outrage about the Cooke hit, but as with all things reactions are more intense when it’s your guy getting hurt. It’s ridiculous to expect otherwise, because it’s human nature that people speak out when they are effected.
It’s also important to recognize that after every one of these bad hits, the reaction gets stronger. The reaction was stronger on the Cooke hit than it was for the Richards hit on Booth. The Lemieux spoke out about Gillies, and now Pacioretty. It’s a slow progression.
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
by Andrew Berkshire on Mar 10, 2011 5:52 PM EST up reply actions
This is crazier than how Bruins fans acted.
by Marisa Ingemi on Mar 10, 2011 6:19 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not sure what your point is. If you don’t understand the reaction after what I typed out in my response to you, I’m sorry but that’s all I have to say.
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
by Andrew Berkshire on Mar 10, 2011 6:25 PM EST up reply actions
I didn't like the hit.
You have to be completely bias otherwise. But really? This staetment by Molson fuels the fire and police are getting into it? Really?
by Marisa Ingemi on Mar 10, 2011 6:26 PM EST up reply actions
The police thing has nothing to do with the Habs. That’s the government. Pacioretty has said he has no interest in legal ramifications for Chara even if they were possible.
As for Molson fueling the fire, wtf are you on about? He’s making his concerns known about player safety, how on earth is that a bad thing?
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
by Andrew Berkshire on Mar 10, 2011 6:29 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think the police should be involved in this, but they got involved in the Bertuzzi and McSorley hits. It’s not without precedent when there’s such a serious injury on the ice. If the NHL was better at policing itself, it probably wouldn’t happen at all.
by despisethesun on Mar 10, 2011 8:16 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, heaven forbid the guy with massive financial interests in the players and their safety speak out on a hit that puts those interests in jeopardy now, and potentially in the future.
HOW DARE HE
Absolutely clueless
by Jedi Master A-Rod on Mar 10, 2011 8:22 PM EST up reply actions
Nope
Owners are owners. They basically care for their business.
That being said, two things about that:
First thing: I’m asking a honest question, here, because I don’t know the answer. I’m not trying a putdown or anything. What was the Bruins’s owners reaction to the Matt Cooke hit?
Second thing: I didn’t see Chara’s as liable of a suspension other than for political reasons. Seriously, this is, indeed, a hockey play gone wrong. And I think that is what’s being recognized by Molson.
Every single year, we start the season with a stringent application of the rules and then gradually relax from december on. And every time the new season comes around, the clock is turned back, but not completely. What that means is that, in fact, the league, as years goes by, becomes an ever more dangerous place for players. Watching the league react, it’s clear that the system is broken and that if owners (they are the only one who can do anything about this) don’t act sooner than later, one of these days one of these guys just won’t get back up. Ever.
This is not about Chara. This is about the league, as a system, as an organisation, being unable to stop turning itself into a meat grinder. That’s the problem being assessed here and that’s the task Molson is setting himself up to by commiting this letter. As an owner, more importantly as the owner of one of the league’s flagship franchise, he has the clout to start something. We are not talking about Mario Lemieux here.
Not necessary.
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
by Andrew Berkshire on Mar 10, 2011 6:03 PM EST up reply actions
Probably not, but if you knew her act around the other sites you’d understand my rage.
I apologize to you for detracting from your post, but my comment stands for her.
by Jedi Master A-Rod on Mar 10, 2011 6:06 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t bother trying. Trust me, it’s a fruitless endeavor to attempt to instill any kind of understanding.
by Jedi Master A-Rod on Mar 10, 2011 6:13 PM EST up reply actions
I don't get it
I never say mean things about your Yankees.
by Marisa Ingemi on Mar 10, 2011 6:19 PM EST up reply actions
So what is your problem?
other than you root for that team?
by Marisa Ingemi on Mar 10, 2011 6:25 PM EST up reply actions
So what is your problem?
YOU
You come here and tell us that we’re being silly about the hit on Patches? Guess what, you don’t get to tell us that. A lot of us have grown attached to him watching him come up through the ranks and go on to be a big part of this year’s team. Now he’s gone for God knows how long, but we’re being silly because we’re outraged at the apparent lack of concern by the league?
You said this earlier:
where was this reaction towards Cooke
You’re still dwelling on the Savard hit? That was a year ago! You’re being silly still being upset that Cooke wasn’t punished.
…..
See how stupid that sounds?
by Jedi Master A-Rod on Mar 10, 2011 8:38 PM EST up reply actions
Nice remarks but...
let’s see what happens. Pierre Gauthier implied the other day we shouldn’t comment on the NHL’s decision publicly or something to that effect. Of course we can, and should. I’m glad Mr. Molson made this public statement. There have been a lot of people who, like me, were prepared to forswear hockey until the league changed. I hope this is more than merely an attempt to get us back.
To the folks who wonder why there’s more outrage about this incident than about the Cooke-Savard incident: I was as repelled by that as I am this, even though it was a legal hit according to the rules as they existed then. Since that incident, we’ve concussions to Crosby, Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik, as well as Max (and others). My reaction is firstly to all head injuries, regardless of whether they occurred as a result of “legal” hits or not; secondly to this particular incident involving Max. As Andrew Berkshire said, the more this happens, the more people are disgusted by the league’s inaction and the more they will speak out. If you didn’t speak out the very first time there was a concussion or a questionable hit, are you then forbidden from ever saying anything fior all time? I don’t get that logic.
Alright
The news of the NHL decision yesterday was a hard blow for both the players and fans of the Montreal Canadiens. It was one which shook the faith that we, as a community, have in this sport that we hold in such high regard.
This may be an example of taking a part of a quote and running with it, but this portion of the statement is what has bothered me.
It’s because it befell the Montreal Canadiens that the fan base and owndership is losing faith? This sounds very much like Mario (another owner) making his comments after the Islanders game last month.
I don’t think it would be proper for an organization to speak out publically about events concerning another team. It would lead to arguments in public. Moslon made the statement because it concerns his team, fanbase, and the game as a whole.
Mario’s comment was a bit dubious, as he employs Cooke. There’s no such duplicity behind Molson’s work.
You should be hoping something comes off this,it will eventually help protect Bruins’ players down the line as well.
Fans have to be together on this….not against.
Rob with all due respect.
If the League does something, yes. Tighten the intent to injure rules, and if the Player Association has a problem, deal with it when it comes to that.
But this fiasco is getting out of hand, it it is getting quite tribal looking from outside of the Montreal fan base.
Fans may have been united if this started off much more utilitarian, but there have to be factions now that are never going to take this sort of thing serious again because of some of the louder outcries from Montreal, and I really find it unfortunate.
Fans can wail all they want, power in this league starts and stops with the owners. Some of them came to be an owner by accident and thus don’t hold much clout (Mario). Some others sit atop the official power structures of the league and thus must feel pretty comfy about the way the show is ran (Boston’s Jacob is certainly in that category). Good for them.
Then there is Molson. Buddy raised half a billion to buy a club that was owned by his family a few generations ago. Buddy also sits atop a company that just shelled north of 300 millions for a beer sponsorship with the league. Buddy’s franchise is signing nice, fat cheques at the end of the year so the NHL can keep some franchises afloat. Oh, and the fans of buddy’s team are also giving a nice bump to crowds everywhere they go. In edmonton, it doesn’t mean much because the arena is sold out anyway. But lemme tell you, Tampa and Flordia ownerships love those back to back new year’s eve games with the habs.
Everybody in this league is getting paid more because the habs are in. To some of them it doesn’t mean much (I take it Boston is one of those franchises), but to most of them, it does.
So Buddy just had to sit through a shitstorm because 1+ million people watched live, for unending minutes, an inert star player on their big hd tv’s, wondering “is he dead?”.
That’s very bad for business.
Then, the league, as an organisation, as a system, demonstrated that by it’s internal system of measures, nothing is wrong with that.
That is very, very bad for business. For everybody’s business, including Boston’s, even tough you guys are actually in denial about it.
So Molson is going in. He is big enough, has enough clout and riches and pull and influence that it doesn’t matter if he’s alone and cornered at first. Time is on his side.
Forget the PA, Bettman, Campbell and whatever. Don’t bother with the tribal or other xenophobic rant, it’s not worth the trouble. One of the league’s heavies decided workplace saftey is now a problem that must be publicly adressed. You don’t like it, I can see. Too bad for you. It’s not going away.
It’ll take time, of course. But it’s not going away. And hopefully, Molson gets his way before one of those kids dies.
by Olivier on Mar 11, 2011 4:34 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
This
You nailed it, especially the tribal/xenophobic rant.
Bettman might be able to threaten and piss all over Air Canada, but he certainly doesn’t have the balls to do it to the Canadiens or Molson who has a 50+ year history of supporting the NHL.
His time would be marked if he tried that.
Well
He has a 5 year extension, and it was inferred in news today that it was courtesy of the Bruins owner.
That episodes tells us what Bettman is up against. I’m fully willing to believe the extension was done in due form, according to a strict and rigorous set of governance rules. But it doesn’t matter. It wasn’t announced publicly and now, it leaked in the canadian national press with a heavy emphasis on the fact that the Bruins owner had a hand into it.
People don’t leak that stuff to please Goeffrey Molson, but having him publicly taking a leadership role is an enabling gesture for that kind of event, because it means to people willing to leak info that said leakage will actually help a reform movment that now has a leader.
But Bettman is slick. And Molson is one of his bosses. I fully expect him to mellow out sooner than later.
by Olivier on Mar 11, 2011 5:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
btw
I haven’t read all the threads; not even sure 13_Legion is a Bruins fan. If you aren’t, sorry about pointing the rant at you.
And if you are, hopefully you see my point.
He is a Bruins fan. A fairly reasonable one who probably understands what you’re saying (hopefully).
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
by Andrew Berkshire on Mar 11, 2011 8:13 PM EST up reply actions
Nothing new with Air Canada, but Via Rail is getting involved now
by Jedi Master A-Rod on Mar 11, 2011 9:57 PM EST up reply actions
My comment was specifically in regard to Molson, nothing else.
If it’s getting ou tof hand, that is because the dolts that run the league messed up big time and the NHLPA has to protect both sides of the equation.
The factions that are no longer taking this seriously probably aren’t taken seriously themselves to begin with.
I could say about it, but I’ll restrain myself.
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