zaxx 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Purchased "Weird Facts about Canadian Hockey Strange, Wacky & Hilarious Stories" while at the book store today and I found a story inside about our favorite enemy of the 0-'s, one Claude Lemieux. Since it shows why our Conn Smythe Trophy winner (Hank) has such great character and the turtle just falls flat, I thought I would share. The increasing sophistication of technology in our society has provided many benefits: faster communication, quicker transactions and easier access to an indescribable amount of information. It has also given those of us who would rather not do the work a fast, quick and easy excuse. Who has not at one time or another blamed their computer or printer for an incomplete assignment? Who hasn't ducked out on a meeting or commitment with the classis excuse: "I didn't get the e-mail." Claude Lemieux is held in both high and low regard in the NHL. His teammates appreciate his leadership, his puck-handling skills and his feisty style of play. His opponents revile him for his exaggerated swan dives to the ice, his cheap shots and his propensity for withering about on the ice in pain at the slightest touch. Lemieux's reputation as a faker was consolidated in his years as a Montreal Canadien when Habs coach Jean Perron refused to allow the team's trainer onto the ice after Lemieux once again played up an injury in the hope of getting a penalty. But in 1995, Lemieux tried to apply his wily ways to his contract negotiations with the New Jersey Devils. The team once described by Wayne Gretzky as a "Mickey Mouse" team in the 1980s has just eradicated the Detroit Red Wings in four game straight to bring home the Stanley Cup for the first time in their history. Lemieux had led the charge to the finals, bringing all his skill and unruliness to bear in the lockout-shortened reular season, then winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs. That summer, the Devils began negotiating a new contract with Lemieux in the hope of further prolonging the forward's service with the club. The team's management offered Lemieux a three-year, $4.1 million contract. Rather than dip his toe into the waters of free agency, Lemieux signed off on the contract, and the Devils assumed they had their playoff superstar locked in for the 1995-96 season. Days later, however, Lemieux contacted the Devils and reneged on the contract. His excuse was such a product of the 1990s, it is amazing that it had not before raised its head over any professional sport. Rather than honour the contract he had agreed to with New Jersey, Lemieux claimed the contract was invalid because it had been sent to him by fax. Because his signature was a photocopy rather than an original, the deal could not be represented to be authentic and was therefore null and void. Angered by their franchise player's attempt to welch on what they believed had been a legitimate deal, the Devils took the matter to the NHL for arbitration. Predictably, the arbitrator ruled in favour of New Jersey and ordered Lemieux to observe the terms of his new contract. No ruling, however, could repair the rift that had grown between the team and its player. Claude Lemieux was promptly traded to the Colorado Avalanche before the season even began, where he would win another Stanley Cup that year. Time eventually does heal most wounds, especially in hockey. Lemieux returned to the Devils in 2000, where he helped the team win yet another Stanley Cup. After stints with the Phoenix Coyotes and the Dallas Stars, Lemieux has since retired and is now president of the ECHL Phoenix Roadrunners. Well we all knew he was an ass but this story really goes to show it. He signed the deal, realized he would have gotten bigger bucks as a free agent and tried to get out of it. What a bum. Yes you can tell the book is a little older by the fact that it mentions that Lemieux is retired, but still the story is an interesting glance into the mind of a turtle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
henrik40 76 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 What a bum, in watching a sharks game recently I learned that alot of sharks fans have no respect for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electrophile 3,554 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 More reason why he should be shipped off to the 7th circle of hell as soon as possible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shadow47 1 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 You might not like some of the guy's actions but there's no arguing he's a future Hall-of-Famer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 You might not like some of the guy's actions but there's no arguing he's a future Hall-of-Famer. Actually, there is a good argument there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electrophile 3,554 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 You might not like some of the guy's actions but there's no arguing he's a future Hall-of-Famer. I don't deny his talent. I don't think anyone here thinks he's NOT talented. He's just a complete piece of crap. Is that harsh? Not for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjlegend 155 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 It'd be a sad day if he gets to the HOF before Dino. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 (edited) It'd be a sad day if he gets to the HOF before Dino. Why would Dino deserve to be in the HOF before Lemieux? Because he had more garbage goals? How many Conn Smythe trophies did Dino win? Oh, thats right, he never won a Cup. Get real Edited February 22, 2009 by Broken 16 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjlegend 155 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Why would Dino deserve to be in the HOF before Lemieux? Because he had more garbage goals? How many Conn Smythe trophies did Dino win? Oh, thats right, he never won a Cup. Get real Sorry. Didn't realize the HoF was strictly about playoff accomplishments. Sorry Mr. Gilbert Perrault, Broken 16 doesn't quite think you belong in there.... hand us that plaque. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 (edited) Sorry. Didn't realize the HoF was strictly about playoff accomplishments. Sorry Mr. Gilbert Perrault, Broken 16 doesn't quite think you belong in there.... hand us that plaque. Would you care to rattle off the long list of accomplishments that Dino has? Aside from assaulting Richardson with his stick. Besides, I never said "strictly about playoff accomplishments"... another LGW'er putting words in someones mouth in an attempt to win a debate. Typical. Lets induct Dino because he was a net presence and made the All-Star team a few times. Stellar idea. Edited February 22, 2009 by Broken 16 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Dino was a pioneering player that had a gigantic influence on the game. Plus his statistics are much better then claudes' if memory serves me at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Would you care to rattle off the long list of accomplishments that Dino has? Aside from assaulting Richardson with his stick. Besides, I never said "strictly about playoff accomplishments"... another LGW'er putting words in someones mouth in an attempt to win a debate. Typical. Lets induct Dino because he was a net presence and made the All-Star team a few times. Stellar idea. OK, dumbass... 600 goals, almost 600 assists... 1200 points... 2 100 point seasons... 6 40 goal seasons... 1400+ PIM. There are your accomplishments. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Dino was a pioneering player that had a gigantic influence on the game. Plus his statistics are much better then claudes' if memory serves me at all. I'm pretty sure Dino has a lot more points over his career than Claude, in the regular season. Claude's playoff numbers are better. Niether of them are shoe-ins as far as I'm concerned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 OK, dumbass... 600 goals, almost 600 assists... 1200 points... 2 100 point seasons... 6 40 goal seasons... 1400+ PIM. There are your accomplishments. Like I said, pinhead... Neither are shoe-ins. Neither deserves to be in more than the other. Not to mention, Dino has a couple brushes with the law that the HoF frowns upon. That's his problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 (edited) I'm pretty sure Dino has a lot more points over his career than Claude, in the regular season. Claude's playoff numbers are better. Niether of them are shoe-ins as far as I'm concerned. Playoffs Dino Games G A P 141 73 45 118 Lemieux Games G A P 233 80 78 158 Eh pretty even imo. Edit: I don't think either of them should be left out of the hall, both were great impact players. Edited February 22, 2009 by Carman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Playoffs Dino Games G A P 141 73 45 118 Lemieux Games G A P 233 80 78 158 Eh pretty even imo. Edit: I don't think either of them should be left out of the hall, both were great impact players. The only problem is, both players have done some really dumb s*** during their careers that the HoF frowns upon. Dino, arguably, was worse given the police action that took place against him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Agreed, the old debate whether someone's outside-the-game issues should be taken into account for HOF. In my opinion, as long as someone doesn't do something completely outrageous and immoral it shouldn't matter. Eh, we'll see what happens not like I have a say anyway haha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Agreed, the old debate whether someone's outside-the-game issues should be taken into account for HOF. In my opinion, as long as someone doesn't do something completely outrageous and immoral it shouldn't matter. Eh, we'll see what happens not like I have a say anyway haha. Well, Dino's 'assault' on Richardson actually took place during a game. I think (that was a LONG time ago... my memory is a little fuzzy on that incident). I'm pretty sure he actually spent a day or two in jail because of it. What Claude did to Draper might be something that the HoF peeps could take into account. Not sure about that one though. I would if I had a vote... I can tell you that much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Like I said, pinhead... Neither are shoe-ins. Neither deserves to be in more than the other. Not to mention, Dino has a couple brushes with the law that the HoF frowns upon. That's his problem. Pinhead. One should be in, one shouldn't. But if all you have is insults and arrests, thanks for trying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Pinhead. One should be in, one shouldn't. But if all you have is insults and arrests, thanks for trying. I believe you started it by calling him a dumbass, just because you disagree about who gets into a HOF. Seriously can't people have a civil discussion without name-calling especially about this not very relevant or serious of topic? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Pinhead. One should be in, one shouldn't. But if all you have is insults and arrests, thanks for trying. One has an assault on NHL ice and an indecent exposure on his record... the other is known as one of the dirtiest players to ever lace them up in the NHL. So which one should be in? Oh wait... you LIKE Dino, so he deserves to be in. Lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 I believe you started it by calling him a dumbass, just because you disagree about who gets into a HOF. Seriously can't people have a civil discussion without name-calling especially about this not very relevant or serious of topic? I am sorry your sensibilities have been offended. But when someone states the dumbass idea that Claude is a HoFer before Dino... well, I just point out the obvious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 One has an assault on NHL ice and an indecent exposure on his record... the other is known as one of the dirtiest players to ever lace them up in the NHL. So which one should be in? Oh wait... you LIKE Dino, so he deserves to be in. Lol. I don't like Dino at all, and can honestly say I harbor no "hometown favoritism" for the man. But the stats speak for them self. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 (edited) I am sorry your sensibilities have been offended. But when someone states the dumbass idea that Claude is a HoFer before Dino... well, I just point out the obvious. And I just point out the obvious that neither should be in, in my opinion. I happen to set higher standards for someone being inducted into the Hall of Fame for ANY professional sport. Unlike you, obviously, who would like to hand out nominations to every Tom, Dick and Harry. Edited February 22, 2009 by Broken 16 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 (edited) And I just point out the obvious that neither should be in, in my opinion. I happen to set higher standards for someone being inducted into the Hall of Fame for ANY professional sport. Unlike you, obviously, who would like to hand out nominations to every Tom, Dick and Harry. Um, ok. You are basing me wanting every Tom, Dick and Harry to be in, on me thinking Dino should and Claude shouldn't. Good one. Well done. Dino = every Tom, Dick, and Harry. Edited February 22, 2009 by thedisappearer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
