Season 8: 1983-84
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Season 8: 1983-84 |
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1983-84 should have been
the season for Guy’s "sophomore slump." Ironically,
the slump happened not to Carbo, but to his team, which finished
below .500 for the first time in 44 years.
Carbonneau continued to object to how the team was being run.
Happily, in January, Jacques Lemaire took over as the Canadiens’
coach. Lemaire changed the team’s focus to defense, and made
Guy full-time center on the checking line. Lemaire made good use
of Carbo’s skills, and spoke very highly of him: "Carbo
is one of the best, if not the best, defensive player in the league.
He is one player who has learned the meaning of the word discipline,
and it shows."
Discipline indeed was Carbo’s forte, and thus he avoided
that slump which so often besets players after the initial thrill
of playing in the NHL wears off and long term hard work sets in.
With the opportunity to give his all, Guy thrived. He not only
contributed the defense which Lemaire’s system demanded,
but offense as well. He had 24 goals (which would be the second
best of his career), a remarkable 7 of them shorthanded, as well
as 30 assists. In addition, Guy got 4 goals and 3 assists in 15
games in the playoffs, playing a key part in getting the sub-.500
Canadiens a berth in the Wales Conference Finals.
Carbonneau’s overall stellar play was recognized
in that he accumulated the greatest number of points among Habs
players from Hockey Night in Canada’s three-star selection.
For that accomplishment, he was awarded the Molson Cup.
At a mere 24 years of age, Guy had already begun to play a part
in the restoration of his beloved Habs to their former glory.
His best—and his team’s—was yet to come.
Resources:
"Who is Guy Carbonneau?", by Glenn Cole, Goal,
February 1987
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