In today’s world flipping the bird is such a minor optics offence. I love the fan expectation, which the media fuels, that after a playoff loss you should be grieving privately. Part of being a pro at anything is getting on with life.
I don’t specifically recall Carbo getting much flack that season. Roy did - as great as he was in playoffs, his regular season play was often inconsistent. Stars are lightning rods.
I will say this about Carbo - he was one of the last true heart and soul Habs, and trading him was a disgrace. I still recall the Globe headline when he was deadly, I think it was a Brunt column - lMoney Lenders Were Running Temple When Carbonneau Dealt”. Someone who had been such a devoted player deserved better.
Carbo was part of the old era when Captains weren’t always first line players. He came up under Gainey and Robinson and it showed. He led by example with relentless effort. His battles with Stastny, another big game player. were epic.
When he was playing, I expected him to be a Hab for life. I know his first coaching stint when poorly, but he should have been groomed for the front office or something. When I hear him interviewed now he seems thoughtful and smart.
One small memory I have I’d him - in the dressing room celebration of 1993, he took a moment to mention that Claude Mouton died that year and he was very much in their thoughts. It was unprompted and genuine.
21 will never hang in the rafters, but Guy Carbonneau was as true a Canadien as any who ever put on skates.