Goaltender Jeff Hackett is featured on the cover of The Hockey News promoting a season preview of the 1999-2000 edition of the Montreal Canadiens.
In the Fall of 1999, Associate Editor of The Hockey News Bob McKenzie, wrote about the concern for the Canadiens in Montreal. The team finished last in the Northeast division during the previous year with 75 points, its worst season in 48 years.
The Canadiens were losing money, announcing a deficit of $3.8 million. Team president Ronald Corey resigned in May 1999. And in September, Molson put the franchise up for sale.
Led by general manager Rejean Houle, the team was not projected to be a playoff contender. They missed the post-season that year finishing fourth in the Northeast division standings. As noted by McKenzie, it was "the first time in the NHL's modern era (1943-44 to present) the Habs missed in back-to-back years."
Also in danger that season was the Canadiens record (since 1944) of winning at least one Stanley Cup every seven years. That milestone came and went; a mark that is now at 30 years and counting.
Goaltender Jeff Hackett adorned The Hockey News cover that season along with the ominous headline: How the Mighty Have Fallen! — Hockey's proudest franchise sinking fast.
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