ON THE MARK.

HEY MIKEY, THE HABS LOVE YOU!

Last year the Montreal Canadiens finished last in the Eastern Conference.  The reason:  No player named Mike, or Michel or Mikhail was on the roster for any length of time after Mike Cammalleri was traded away in January.   You can look it up (but don't bother, I already did).   The Habs have a history of  underperforming unless there's a Mike around.  I'm pretty sure that's why they brought back Michel (Mike) Therrien as coach this year.  Yesterday, they brought back Michael Ryder in a trade.   And where are the Habs today?  That's right, first place.   Coincidence?   I don't think so.  Without a "Mike", the Habs don't stand a chance.
     Don't believe me?  The Habs had lots of Mikes when they were making the playoffs over the past decade or so, but back in the late 90s early 2000s, they went three straight years without making the post-season.  That's because there were no Mikes in those years (except for Therrien, who was hired midway through 2000-2001, but by then it was too late.)   Go back a little further, and there was always a Keane or a McPhee or a Lalor on the roster, and they won Stanley Cups in 1993, and before that, 1985.    Then there was a gap of no "Mikes" in the early 80s, and even though the Habs made the post-season, they were bounced in the opening round three years in a row, sans Mikes.     When they were winning Stanley Cups in the 70s, the Habs always had a Michel as a backup goalie.  Larocque, and before him, Plasse.   And in the late 60s early 70s there was always "Mickey" Redmond looming as a potential superstar, the closest thing to a Mike there is.
     You've got to go back to 1967-68 to find a successful Montreal team that DIDN'T have a Mike.   Mind you, there weren't a lot of them back in the 60s on any roster.  Mike Walton was the only other one I can think of.    So, ever since the name "Mike" became popular in the NHL, the Habs have needed at least one in order to have a successful season and playoff run.   Somebody in the front office must've realized it.  Maybe it was Marc Bergevin, the G.M., who lamented the lack of a Mike after Cammy was traded away.  He realized the power of Mike, so he re-hired Therrien, and "voila".   Now, with the re-acquisition of Ryder, who knows what's next?    Will the Habs go after Ribiero, Kommisarek, maybe even "Mike" Grabovski?   Perhaps Mike Richards, Michael Grabner or even Mikko Koivu?   Sounds like a plan.  Statistics don't lie.