I am really enjoying the competing arguments for and against Roy’s sweater retirement. It’s great to see everyone so passionate.

I’m one of those who would like to see Roy’s # retired. I understand that he comes with baggage (perhaps an example of leitodes for you against the idea of #33 going to the rafters) but I’m of the opinion that Roy was the face of the franchise and greatest star during his tenure there (I used the word star, not human being, not two way forward, not most complete player in the world– titles reserved for the longest serving captain of the habs, the current coach and the current gm respectively).

If we discount personal stats (which is lucky since until Brodeur makes a full recovery, Roy is it as far as goalies go)and enforce a 3 cup minimum (a standard set by a star from the 30s–one about whom a hyperbolic comparison is made by american sports writers trying to describe his importance to the game)perhaps Roy shouldn’t be considered.

But I wonder what we are saying when we ignore personal stats. What are we doing when we set a cup minimums based on a few chosen players? What message do we send when we deify others who (and don’t get me wrong I love him) might have committed thugish acts of brutality on the ice? What perspective do we provide by foolishly insisting that playing in a 30 team league full of international talent and performing for a splintered and cynical populace is the same as playing for a rather homogenous (and in the mid 20th C. how else would you describe Canada and Quebec in particular) and rabidly loyal fan base in a league that had a rather super saturated solution of talent?

Let’s be honest with ourselves. What we are engaging in is nothing more than a popularity contest. Objective criteria has been thrown out the window and we’re left with our own personal biases. You don’t like Roy, think he doesn’t measure up to the past greats? That’s fine with me, I understand it and sympathize. I hope to be fighting similar arguments with the next generation about Roy’s incandescence and greatness as he played his game and I will count on the softening focus of nostalgia to aid me in my fight.

Don’t like modern-day heroes? Think they’re lacking a little too much of the right stuff? You’re probably right. But then again, I’ve got nothing more to go by then the passionate anecdotes of the fans who came before me.

I’ve learned the stories, studied the lore. But maybe, just maybe fans of newer (lesser)vintage should be allowed something of their own to tell their kids and grandkids about.

“You want to talk about high-pressure goalies?There was a goalie who played for the habs back in the 80’s…”

“Ah, grandpa that was so long ago!”

I do like dishonest john’s commentary: yeah, Roy looked really good given what came immediately before him and this contrast was/still is undoubtedly a contributing factor to the distorted adoration that prevents some Habbers from `getting it’. Sigh, as long as the fans accept mediocrity the team will pay the price for our lowered standards - the only good season, the really only acceptable season is one in which we win the Cup. What’s so hard to understand here?

Only thing I’m hoping for on Saturday is a) old-fashioned line brawl to properly honour Roy vs the Bruins (shouldn’t be too hard to do considering it’s the Bruins) and b) BGL checks Lucic ever time he seems him. (DO IT!). I don’t know if I can stand a month without Komisaurus…