ADVICE TO KEVIN GREENSTEIN: "LEAVE BAD ENOUGH ALONE."





Or, as the eminent hockey philosopher, Jason Lockhart, notes, "There's
something wrong when writers (as in Greenstein) critique those
(Fischler) who have just critiqued them!"



Having said that, I will make an exception and oblige (all of you) with
this commentary. The best thing that Greenstein does in his
rebuttal is place words in my mouth.



I would never assume � as Greenstein puts the words-in-my-mouth � that
John Madden would be the next captain in New Jersey. I merely
point out that he is one of many � Brian Rafalski, Jay Pandolfo, et.
al. � who would be worthwhile. Plus I never compared him as a
player to Jean Beliveau, who, as a matter of fact, was a taciturn
leader.



Once again he's stuffing words in my mouth, suggesting that I said a
Devil could fill Doug Harvey's skates. Not true. That never
was my point.



One of Greenstein's problems is that he never listened to the famed
Baron Munshausen. The radio comic of the 1930s had a standard
line: "'Vas you dere Sharley?" [Were you there Charlie?]
After watching the Canadiens in their prime with "The Rocket" and
Beliveau, I speak first-hand without making wild guesses and
insinuation as Greenstein has done. Was he there when Gordie Howe
went around Harvey to set a record at the old Garden in March
1962? I vas dere Sharley, umm, Kevin!



Where he gets off comparing Martin Brodeur with Jacques Plante, I don't
know. And why he's giving us a history lesson about NHL drafting
strains credulity.



I'll give him one last lesson about NHL defense and the Devils.
For some strange reason he singles out Rafalski for criticism, simply
because Ralphie is making $4 million for his "offense-first"
stye. Rafalski is only one element of the best-balanced defense
in the East.



P.S. He also plays excellent defense.



And Greenstein gives us some cockamamie story about Viktor
Kozlov. My point was that the big Russian is capable of a
breakout year under Larry Robinson. Period. Deny that if
you can!



I won't even dignify his second straight allusion to Colin
[Interchangeable] Campbell. Enough with that verbal crutch
already.



Thankfully, Greenstein didn't bring up Corey Schwab again. Now he's worried about Ari Ahonen remaining unsigned.



Let Lou Lamoriello "worry" about that.



Next comes a cheap shot at Ahonen's ability. I won't dignify that
either. If Kevin has a problem with Ahonen, we might remember
that there is a 28 year-old goalie by the name of Scott Clemmensen, who
easily could be a competent backup to Brodeur as he has been in the
past.



Kevin, check out Munshausen and we'll talk again.

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