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Dear Mr Dolan,

On behalf of all Montreal Canadiens fans everywhere, we want to collectively thank you for ending our misery! The New York Rangers are now in our good books, except of course for Chris Kreider – but I/we digress. 

This is not a troll piece, though it likely will come across as such. Believe me when I say that I wish all the best to both you and your loved ones. I really do. 

Of course, I’m all but likely going to say some things that might get under your skin, but you’re a big boy and can certainly handle a few words with a touch of sarcasm here and there from some obscure hockey writer from the frosty neighbouring northern country soon to be renamed Snowy Mexico. (Yep, we use “our” in spelling neighbour). 

Your firing of Jeff Gorton four wonderful years ago gifted us with a hockey savant who has transformed the Canadiens in truly remarkable fashion. He’s helped perform one of the fastest rebuilds in recent NHL history and our team was the youngest squad ever to make the playoffs. 

This is an incredible accomplishment. 

And, it’s only the beginning! Our team’s best years still await us! 

Gone are the days of emotionally driven, un-business-like management practices that mired this organization into perpetual mediocrity. For nearly a generation and a half, the Montreal Canadiens became a hockey byword. Now, we’ve become a model of excellence. 

And all of this happened because you made a big mistake in losing patience when your Rangers began to stumble. Your team was so close to the Promised Land, but in the fog of some setbacks, you couldn’t see what lay ahead and lacked the faith to allow Gorton and company see things through. 

There will be chapters in sports management books related to this matter, as will Aesop’s wise concept of “slow and steady wins the race” or adhering to the benefits of sacrifice and delayed gratification. 

Jeff Gorton himself owes you a few words of gratitude. The hardship that he endured actually made him even better at his craft. A little pruning, or fertilizer, as coach St. Louis once alluded to, does actually lead to growth, abundant growth. 

I get it. At the time of your fateful decision, you might have truly been right in some of your frustrations about Jeff Gorton’s tenure. Fortunately for us, Gorton learned from his mistakes and is now among the NHL’s elite administrators. 

(Now, those of you reading this letter with prying eyes on the interwebtube, remember that next year, things just may falter as they did in New York around the same time as Gorton’s firing. If they do, chill out, and let Mr. Gorton and his brilliant apprentice, Kent Hughes, figure things out. They will). 

And, you, Mr. Geoff Molson – I know that you’re reading this because why wouldn’t you – don’t panic or lose your cool if the Habs take a step backwards next season. Stay calm and carry on. Don’t repeat history.)

So, where was I, oh yeah, thank you once more, Mr. Dolan. And here’s also some unsolicited advice: 

You might want to consider a two-year reboot where you tank or somehow secure high draft picks; likewise snag some 24-year-old – soon-to-mature players; leave your young core alone; and follow some of the patient, tried and proven formulas that Montreal’s management team has practiced these last four years. 

Once again, I sincerely wish you and your great Ranger fans all the best. 

It may seem as if the above statement is sarcastic given the few jabs that I’ve done in this open letter, but really, it’s not. A strong Rangers squad is best for the NHL’s growth. What’s good for New York is generally good for this league. 

Take care,
Terry Costaris

PS/BTW: Man, I hate Chris Kreider – sort of.