Not The One
Registered User
I don't start threads very often but this is actually something I like to check about every year and which I find very interesting.
In 98 NHL seasons, the Montréal Canadiens have had only five players who have played a thousand games for the team: H. Richard, Robinson, Gainey, Béliveau and Provost. This is, in my mind, perhaps one if not THE most important achievement for a Habs player. We've had many legends, but only very few of them have made it to a thousand games with us.
Why? Obviousy for most of our history players didn't play 80 games per season, which makes it even more remarkable for Richard and Provost. We've had a few legends who retired "young": Lafleur (came back with the Rangers), Lemaire, Savard (came back with the Jets), ... But many were traded and played their 1000th game elsewhere: Carbonneau, Harvey, Brisebois (left and came back), J.C. Tremblay (WHA), Koivu.
In contrast, for other O6 franchises:
Toronto: 5
Chicago: 4 (plus two others almost assured, Seabrook and Keith within two years)
New York: 3
Boston: 4 (plus Bergeron within two years)
Detroit: 6 (plus Zetterberg in 2-3 weeks)
It has been more than 30 years since another player joined the 1000-game club, so Markov's 1000th game next season will surely be celebrated by the team. It's almost hard to believe that if it wasn't for two lockouts and two season almost completely lost to injury he could have more than 200 more games played and be in the running for the most games played in Habs history.
So who will be the next to reach this milestone? Plekanec is an easy bet if he's not taken during the draft. And then? Last year I would have bet 100$ on Subban, but know I don't know. I think it's doubful that Pacs (the captain is always a target), Galchy (too streaky, will get traded before 1000 games) or Gally (injuries) make it. Who else? Danault could be a good soldier for a long time...
In 98 NHL seasons, the Montréal Canadiens have had only five players who have played a thousand games for the team: H. Richard, Robinson, Gainey, Béliveau and Provost. This is, in my mind, perhaps one if not THE most important achievement for a Habs player. We've had many legends, but only very few of them have made it to a thousand games with us.
Why? Obviousy for most of our history players didn't play 80 games per season, which makes it even more remarkable for Richard and Provost. We've had a few legends who retired "young": Lafleur (came back with the Rangers), Lemaire, Savard (came back with the Jets), ... But many were traded and played their 1000th game elsewhere: Carbonneau, Harvey, Brisebois (left and came back), J.C. Tremblay (WHA), Koivu.
In contrast, for other O6 franchises:
Toronto: 5
Chicago: 4 (plus two others almost assured, Seabrook and Keith within two years)
New York: 3
Boston: 4 (plus Bergeron within two years)
Detroit: 6 (plus Zetterberg in 2-3 weeks)
It has been more than 30 years since another player joined the 1000-game club, so Markov's 1000th game next season will surely be celebrated by the team. It's almost hard to believe that if it wasn't for two lockouts and two season almost completely lost to injury he could have more than 200 more games played and be in the running for the most games played in Habs history.
So who will be the next to reach this milestone? Plekanec is an easy bet if he's not taken during the draft. And then? Last year I would have bet 100$ on Subban, but know I don't know. I think it's doubful that Pacs (the captain is always a target), Galchy (too streaky, will get traded before 1000 games) or Gally (injuries) make it. Who else? Danault could be a good soldier for a long time...
