Absolutely!!  I would have been happy to have just seen his speech and the winners’ names scrolled across the screen behind the podium...seriously, this show gets worse every year.  But Beliveau was pure class, right down to being the only award winner to congratulate the Red Wings for their achievements.

Posted by Paul A. from Ypsilanti on 06/18/09 at 10:43 PM ET

Oh, I forgot about Vlady and the Professor...that was cool, but I really thought that was foretelling a Datsyuk win

Posted by Paul A. from Ypsilanti on 06/18/09 at 10:53 PM ET

lol is gary wearing make-up?

Posted by Shawn on 06/19/09 at 01:12 AM ET

holy shit does Gary Bettman purposely try to be a dousche? I cant stand hearing him talk or shake his caked up head .. seriously tone down the blush Bettman .. and eye liner .. and is that f’n lipstick and facial toner? wtf this dude is a puppet ..

Posted by fire_gary on 06/19/09 at 07:37 AM ET

I honestly could have cared less about Beliveau or his award.

Sorry, but outside of Montreal people don’t really care about the old Habs players that much.  And I’ve only soured over the years as I’ve learned just exactly how unfair the system was tot he other teams in that era of the league—the rigged system Montreal had as an organization.  It kind of makes any of their, or their players’, accomplishments cheap.

Posted by Primis on 06/19/09 at 07:47 AM ET

Man...you Wings fans are bitter.....Beliveau is total class.....The show was actually pretty good. OV is definitely a star and The B’s players looked good, too.

Posted by kevin from boston on 06/19/09 at 07:50 AM ET

Man...you Wings fans are bitter.....Beliveau is total class.....The show was actually pretty good. OV is definitely a star and The B’s players looked good, too.

Posted by kevin from boston on 06/19/09 at 08:50 AM ET

Yes SOME wings fans are & the Show was pretty good????????????? REALLY !!!!

Chaka Khan ???

Yay Boston got some facetime after the Stanley Cup Had been Won & They lost to The Canes

Posted by Evilpens on 06/19/09 at 08:29 AM ET

Unlike some of you clowns...I don’t watch an NHL show for the music. I have no idea who those “celebrities” were but it doesn’t bother me that they were there...I guess that’s because I’m not a bitter or arrogant fan. Some of you could learn a lesson from the likes of Jean Beliveau..........

Posted by kevin from boston on 06/19/09 at 08:52 AM ET

No Not you a Boston fan, You would NEVER be bitter or Arrogant

Posted by Evilpens on 06/19/09 at 09:03 AM ET

Beliveau was cool but I thought the moment of the night was when The Professor and Vladdy took the stage.  I saw the Red Carpet entrance when Larionov came in and my thought was Larionov is pure class.

I would have preferred to see less celebrities and more hockey players.  I just don’t see why the NHL can’t stick to what they have and fans love: the players.  Why try to make it appealing with musical production and hollywood celebrities when the fans that watch the game are already drawn because of the players involved?

Posted by drimo on 06/19/09 at 09:29 AM ET

I don’t post here often but I’m a regular reader.  I’ve seen lots I disagree with and lots of comments that I think are right on.  Primis, you’re one that I don’t often agree with but it’s a big world and we’re all entitled to our own opinions.  But to diss Beliveau?  Saying that no-one outside Mtl cares about Beliveau is like saying no-one outside Boston should care about Bobby Orr or that anyone outside of Detroit doesn’t give a rat’s ass for Gordie Howe.
Being a Habs fan, I despise the Bruins, it’s in my blood.  They hate us back and I’m good with that.  But first and foremost I’m a hockey fan and I have a ton of respect for Bobby Orr, Cam Neely, and maybe even a few others.  Blind hatred makes us petty.
Oh and here’s some info on your Habs conspiracy theory,
http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2008/09/debunking-habs-french-canadian.html

Posted by davids from montreal on 06/19/09 at 11:06 AM ET

I thought Jean’s comment about “thank you for the small cheque we started receiving monthly last year from the NHLPA”.  A small cheque for one of the greatest of all time (Played 20 yrs) - makes you wonder what the average player got as a pension, if anything.  A shame for the years and dedication put into the sport.
And yes, he is total class, even with that subtle dig on behalf of all the players of his generation.

Posted by Hams from Surrey BC on 06/19/09 at 12:48 PM ET