Le sigh...
Once again I choked on the snide remarks of a local radio host on the official home of the Canadiens about toughness and the Habs supposed lack of. It was in response to what Chicago "did" by signing idiots like Carcillo because they felt they were pushed around by the Canucks in the playoffs. After all, Pierre McGuire convincingly said it was the truth so it must be so! Never mind how drained Keith was, how concussed Seabrook was, how injured Sharp was, how much of a hole Bolland left, how strangely invisible Kane was, and how inept Campoli was. No no they were pushed around! Manhandled! Who knew you couldn't win a series with just Toews and Crawford as your only capable players. Who knew gutting the team of important members from their Cup run would bring about such an outcome. No! It was the reckless, should-have-been-suspended actions of Raffi Torres. Yes that's right! One man!
Gimme a break.
Sure, I'll agree having Montador on their D will definitely help more than having Campoli out there in OT... And Mayers is ok but not a game changer. But Carcillo? Is he there to keep John Scott company? A goon that spends more time taking stupid penalties and not playing in the playoffs is toughness? Exactly what did John Scott prove when he was finally put back in the lineup other than his slow footspeed?
You wanna know what toughness is?
Travis Moen took a skate to the face and needed over 50 stitches. He nary missed a game. Josh Gorges blocked a rocket of a shot with the back of his head where the puck left an imprint in his helmet. He was the first one out on practice the next day as if nothing happened. Tomas Plekanec is at war with Dion Phaneuf and has landed the neanderthal on his ass more times than Phaneuf ever tossed him into the boards. Of course the greatest maneuver Plekanec has on Phaneuf is his ability to blow right past him. I would also like to bring to your attention the many hooks, holds, and high sticks he fights through where instead of spending his time flailing (like a Canuck) he continues on. He wears those feet protectors to protect against players slashing him on faceoffs. Would you dare question Mike Cammalleri's competitive drive? How about looking Brian Gionta in the eye and tell him that because he's small he's soft? Just try it.
Toughness is Lars Eller popping his shoulder back into place as he's taking a faceoff, regardless of the fact that he's Danish. Apparently being Danish is something Glenn Healy claimed was more adept in a coffee shop.
Toughness is PK Subban's smile in the face of irrational hate and false accusations as he scores a clutch goal or knocks an "untouchable" superstar on his backside.
Toughness is Carey Price cowboy-ing up.
Toughness is Yannick Weber textbook-checking Milan Lucic into the boards and skating away with the puck. It's David Desharnais having guys bounce off his little robust frame and giving them the stink eye. It's Ryan White giving the thumbs up in the penalty box. It's Mathieu Darche's heart of gold.
Toughness is Max Pacioretty stepping back onto the ice this October.
Toughness isn't just physical. Toughness is standing up for an identity that says skill, intelligence, and the will to compete is how the game should be played. It's not rock'em sock'em. It's not Slap Shot. It's not Don Cherry. Toughness is skill. Toughness is grit. Toughness is the ability to compete with the guys next to you.
I for one commend the Habs for their identity. But to this radio host it apparently means I'm naive, just like the team.
Funny thing, though. I seem to remember in that season the Canadiens showed the Presidents Trophy Canucks that there's more to the NHL than just playing the Oilers every week...