SLAM! Sports
SLAM! Hockey
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
COLUMNS
NHL
The Teams
Full Schedule
Monthly Schedule
Standings
Statistics
Rosters
Injury list
Movement
Trades
Hits Gallery
INTERACTIVE
JUNIOR
MORE HOCKEY
ALSO ON SLAM!
Friday, December 17, 1999
Vigneault suggests Hoglund look in mirror
MONTREAL (CP) -- When asked to respond to former Canadiens winger Jonas Hoglund's suggestion that he wasn't given a proper chance in Montreal, coach Alain Vigneault smiled.The Habs' coach knew he was being invited to turn up the heat on his team's visit to Toronto tonight, where Hoglund is on fire with 17 goals after two all-but invisible seasons in Montreal.
"He's not the first and won't be the last player to say that," Vigneault said. "You never hear a player say: 'It was my fault.' It's always: 'I didn't get my chance.' "
Hoglund never fit into Montreal's defensive style of play after he and defenceman Zarley Zalapski were acquired from the Calgary Flames on Feb. 1, 1998 for Valeri Bure.
The 27-year-old right-winger had eight goals in 74 games last season, when he saw only occasional action on scoring lines and spent several games watching from the press box.
The Canadiens made no attempt to sign Hoglund when his contract expired last summer, but Leafs general manager Pat Quinn was quick to grab him.
Playing on offence-minded Toronto's top line with Steve Thomas and fellow Swede Mats Sundin, Hoglund leads the club in goals. Incidentally, Bure also leads the Flames with 17 goals while Zalapski is long gone from Montreal.
"It was management's decision to let him go," Canadiens acting captain Shayne Corson said of Hoglund. "Let's face it, we all make wrong decisions sometimes, but I'm not saying the decision was wrong.
"He didn't do a whole lot when he was here, but he got a another chance and he made the most of it. He's playing with two great players in Sundin and Stumpy (Thomas). He's a nice guy and we're all happy for him."
The burly Corson, a left-winger, will likely be less congenial going head-to-head with Hoglund tonight, when the Canadiens pay their second visit to the Air Canada Centre this season (7 p.m. EST, CBC).
 Bert's back on blades Blue Jays boot game Bombers drop Peterson Felicien rebuilds race | Visit our Polls Archive |