A GHOST STORY

I heard that phrase again.

I heard it in 2004, and in 2007, and again at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season. It goes “ Everyone has to stop living in 99’ and 2000” - or something close to that.

Heard it from free agent signees. Heard it from newly forged coaching staffs and hockey departments. And I heard it uttered from the lips of new core leaders.

“Stop living in the past” they would mutter with furrowed brows, as if those ghosts were somehow impeding present day success.

The Montreal Canadiens have won a record 24 Stanley Cups. They have a passage from the war-time poem In Flanders Field emblazoned on the walls of their dressing room: “"to you from failing hands we pass the torch; be yours to hold it high"

Great franchises have their identity cemented in rebar and their goals perennially set on living up to what previous incarnations of the team have established as the bar for accepted excellence. The more they un-tether themselves from those expectations, whether they are real or imagined, the easier it becomes to fall well short of what was previously a given.

I guess in a way the Stars have probably felt like the younger sibling trying to step out from the vast shadow of a popular, letterman, valedictorian brother who has always been perceived to be mom and dad’s (and everyone else’s) favorite - male version of "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha" perhaps?

Success leaves clues. I truly believe that. Unfortunately these recent Stars teams have been more Clouseau than CSI.

Funny how things work themselves out sometimes though, isn’t it? In an ironic twist, because of these last two non-playoff years -- instead of comparing the current to the halcyon years -- everyone is now going to be “Living in 1987 and 88”. Those two years are the last time this franchise missed the playoffs in two consecutive seasons.

So kick your feet up 99’ and 2000, the memories of your Cup Championship and Cup Final can take a respite, just as the 2009-10 Stars can – for the next 5 months.