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Guy Lafleur torches Max Pacioretty, Thomas Vanek: ‘They can stay home’

Guy Lafleur torches Max Pacioretty, Thomas Vanek: ‘They can stay home’

Guy Lafleur knows a thing or two about winning championships, what with having enough Stanley Cup rings to fill one hand. He also believes he knows what the Montreal Canadiens need to win a championship – or, more to the point, the kind of players they don’t need.

Speaking with La Presse, the Hockey Hall of Famer called out soon-to-be-departed free agent Thomas Vanek and Canadiens leading scorer Max Pacioretty for their postseason performances.

“Guys like Vanek and Pacioretty, you can’t keep them on your team,” said Lafleur. “They can stay home if they are not willing to pay the price. Your team is never going to win with players like them who disappear when they face adversity.”

Ouch …

Vanek was a failure in the postseason, with 10 points in 17 games and just two points in his last seven playoff games. His ice time was cut during the series, skating just 12:13 in Game 6 vs. the New York Rangers.

Pacioretty had 11 points in 17 playoff games, but was wildly inconsistent for a player that had 39 goals to lead Montreal in the regular season.

Lafleur’s comments on Vanek are piling on. But his comments on Pacioretty are going to linger for a while. A Canadiens legend felt the Habs quit in Game 6 vs. the Rangers, and said their leading scorer “disappears when he faces adversity.” Restaurants have closed for less scathing reviews.

s/t to our own Christine Rogers for the translation.