By Blain Potvin – Staff Writer, All Habs Magazine
HALIFAX, NS. — Love him, or hate him, John Scott has had a roller-coaster run this season. He began his year as a free agent signing with Arizona, going between from fourth line minutes to a healthy scratch to being sent down to the minors when a fan movement had him winning a position as team captain at the 2016 All Star Game in Nashville.
And before Scott was to have his once in a lifetime chance at an All-Star game appearance, he was quickly sent back to the minors then traded to the Canadiens. But, once this fan led movement began, whether it was part of a joke or an honest effort to see a player fans loved, it was like a runaway freight train, John Scott was going to crash into the All Star game…..and crash he did. Scott scored two goals, ‘fought’ Patrick Kane to the delight of the fans in attendance then led his Pacific Division team to victory. If that wasn’t enough, the players lifted him onto their shoulders and carried him off the ice as the All Star MVP.
Despite all this, John Scott continued to toil in the AHL, likely looking at the end of the line of his playing career despite his desires to continue. And instead of staying the course and working on development of prospects, management has turned to theatrics and Hollywood drama to sell this last week of the 2015-’16 season. John Scott has been seen by management as carrying himself as a consummate professional and providing a great example of how to be a pro to Montreal’s prospects that were flowing through St. John’s during the second half of this season and now fill the roster in Montreal.
"We want to show him some respect because he's been a real pro since he joined us." – Therrien on John Scott
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) April 4, 2016
No matter how Canadiens’ fans feel about the roster moves made by Marc Bergevin this week, John Scott has earned and deserves respect, as any player who has persevered as he has in pursuit of his hockey dreams. There are valid arguments to provide ice time to prospects that have a long term future with this franchise, but, no matter how he plays or even if he dresses, with the season in the last legs of a non-playoff death spiral, having one feel good moment at the end of this turbulent season is enough to give some fans a positive note to cling to. While many others will turn their gaze to the summer will provide for the 2016-’17 roster.
I think the Habs just want to be in the John Scott movie.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) April 3, 2016
Just imagine the ending of this movie if John Scott were able to score a winning goal in his last game wearing a Canadiens’ sweater.