Sports is funny and I feel like if guys stayed off social media but still did all the activities, they'd be given a lot more slack. The appearance of not being committed is more important than the reality...
And again, what's the real hurdle for these guys? Take someone like Kreider, who we've gone on and on about in terms of his consistency...from all accounts the guy works incredibly hard. He doesn't take time off in the summer, he's always getting ready for next season, he's probably the closest to hockey robot Sydney Crosby that the Rangers have in terms of work ethic and preparation, but he hasn't "put it all together" to match the talents people think he has.
Zibanejad...does he really have skills that are so much better than Kreider's? Not as good a skater, probably better stickhandler but shot is debatable, passing probably better...he's still a 50 point player, would being a hockey robot bump him up to 70+ points? Or is it something that can't be solved by total dedication to hockey?
Who knows, and I can understand some frustration in that people feel "well if he doesn't try the total dedication then we'll never know if that's what he needed", but as I said I also often feel that people overrate or expect too much out of certain players because they ignore the real ceiling of a player and focus on what they think is their top upside.
I dunno, just spitballing around. I guess my point is I often wonder how much the reputation of a player is used as an excuse when people feel they're not reaching their full potential instead of acknowledging that maybe that perceived full potential is not realistic. I like Zibs, I'm not actually sure anything I've seen out of him skill wise makes me think he's a 70+ point player. That would be a top 10 center in the entire league going by points, ahead of some pretty good players and just behind guys like Seguin, Getzlaf, etc. I'm not convinced Zibanejad is that level of talent, I'm not convinced he is that "sky's the limit!" kind of talent.
60 odd point potential top 20 center? I could see it. 70+ I don't
I agree, I don't think social media helps. Frankly, that's a conversation I've had with many employees under the age of 30 over the years.
I think as far as the team is concerned, at least from what I've heard here and there, there is a more holistic view being taken. Usually the guys who earn certain labels on the inside, do so for more than just social media.
For example, while the team has certain expectations from Kreider and Miller, I don't think I've heard them associated with being guys who aren't really working hard. In contrast, there have been a few grumblings here and there about the focus of guys like Zibanejad and Hayes. Primarily around whether they are truly giving their best and most consistent effort both on the ice and off of it.
I also think the team views things differently than the fans. Whereas some fans might assume Nash isn't busting his ass, I've never heard that from anyone whose around him or has knowledge of the inner workings. The same applies to guys like Girardi and Staal, both players being much maligned by certain sections of the fan base. As we discussed, Lundqvist is a player who has a lot of extra curricular activities, but no one thinks he isn't 100 percent committed to being the best he can be.
You know who was a prime example of a player who didn't necessarily love hockey? Alex Daigle. The kid enjoyed hockey, but if you met him he'd easily tell you that his interests were movies and cars and travel. But when you're talented enough to earn millions of dollars a year playing a sport that, at the very least you like, you're going to run with it.
I don't know if it's so much a numbers game as well. I don't know if the team views it as black and white as being a 60 point player vs. a 50 point player, so much as they view it as to being dedicated to achieving your very best, whatever that may be. If you're an inconsistent scorer, fine. But are you practicing and staying focused. Are you working on the areas of your game that might be "off" at a given time. If you're hurt, are you out there rehabbing, or are you doing your hobbies? Are you studying video, or playing video games. Are you prepping for the season starting over the summer, or cramming it in two weeks before camp starts? I think those things are probably where there is a focus, and in some cases, a little bit of eyebrow raising.
I think there are times where fans unfairly get on a player they don't think is trying hard enough (Nash, Kreider, guys in the past like Nedved, Driver, etc.) But I also think you'd be surprised how many times fans are actually pretty accurate about identifying the players who aren't exactly renowned for their dedication to their craft; at least in my experience.
As for Hayes, I think his production is right around where I expect it to be. Maybe a little below. But I don't know if I've ever expected more than 20 goals and 55 points from him. I feel like the things people got on Hayes, Kreider, Miller, Vesey, etc. about are things that were visible long before this point.
I think the challenge is that was put almost unrealistic expectations on some of these guys. I've often said that many projections often tack on extra five goals and 10 points. It's sometimes the difference between being happy with a player is, and feeling like they are disappointments.
We also have to account for the changes that have occurred since some of these players were drafted or acquired. When Kreider was drafted in 2009, I predicted 35 goal upside for him. Fast forward to 2017 and I'd probably project closer to 30 goals if Kreider were selected in this past draft, simply because of how offensive distributions have changed. Kreider scored 28 goals last year, so that's about on par. (Granted I would like more consistency in his game and less spurts).
In Miller's case, I projected him as more of a 15 goal, 45 point type. He's actually exceeded my expectations.
Hayes, as mentioned, is about where I thought he'd be. Maybe a little lower. Like Kreider, I'd like to see more consistency and attention to areas of the game when the goals and points aren't coming.
Vesey scored 16 goals out of college last year as a third liner. He always projected as a second or third line LW. That's pretty darn close to the type of rookie season I expected.
Nash was acquired at an age and era when 40-45 goals was a reasonable expectation. That same Nash today is probably more in 35 range. Add extra age and other factors, and I think 20-25 would be great production at this point.
