The Montreal Canadiens made a bit of a puzzling free agent signing as they brought back 36=year old Patrice Brisebois for another season in the bleu, blanc, et rouge..Why the Canadiens would want Brisebois is strange, but justifyable. Why Brisebois would want to go back to Montreal, is just mind boggling.
For those who don't quite remember, Patrice "Breeze By", a home town boy, was booed and soundly chastised for his soft play and numerous giveaways. Rather than support 'one of their own', the Habs fans seemed to channel all of their frustrations on Patrice, who made an easy target.
A few years after his exile to Colorado, the feelings still linger, and the signing is not turning out to be a popular one.
The Canadiens sent out a press release at 4:23 p.m. on Friday, announcing that defenceman Patrice Brisebois was returning to Montreal after signing a one-year, $700,000 US contract for the 2007-08 season.
The news was posted on The Montreal Gazette's website devoted to the Canadiens (habsinsideout.com) and at 4:41 p.m. the first comment from a fan landed:
"Sad sad day," it simply stated.
I am not fan of Brisebois and his softie style of play, but I do feel some measure of pity when he becomes such a target for the frustrations and vitriol of an entire fan-base. Brisebois gave the Habs many years of productive play, and doesn't deserve nearly as much crap as he gets.
Still, one has to question the mental constitution of Brisebois over his decision to play another year in a jungle full of dive-bombing boo-birds. Wouldn't retirement be a better option?
