Best change of scenery stories?

[Perfect_Drug]

Sure, the fans thought he could be. But, he wasn't and the numbers weren't there. What the fanbase thought wasn't a criteria in the OP. Can't deny that he blossomed in Montreal.

He was that good in Edmonton. Easily our best Dman. We knew how good he was.

Craig McTavish the moron he was gave him a 1-year show me deal that marched him right to UFA.
We had to trade him or lose him for nothing.

 

[The Nuge]

Sure, the fans thought he could be. But, he wasn't and the numbers weren't there. What the fanbase thought wasn't a criteria in the OP. Can't deny that he blossomed in Montreal.

He was though. He absolutely carried the Oilers defense. Klefbom was only just starting to break out in Petry’s last year, and Nurse wouldn’t make the team until the following year, so the Oilers never really had more than 2 top 4 dmen during Petry’s time in Edmonton. Our awfulness seemed to mask how good he was, but anyone paying attention knew he was a top pairing dman. He was the same dman in Montreal that he was in Edmonton.

 

[Bender Duster]

Hopefully we can add Crosby to this list in a few weeks.

 

[JKG33]

I'll never not laugh at that f***ing clown jfresh

 

[Breakers]

Forsling was on waivers twice

Now he’s making like $6 million a year o believe

 

[zar]

 

[Yozhik v tumane]

Late first rounder Justin Williams made the Flyers roster immediately after the 2000 draft, was a decently productive middle 6 guy but nothing special and struggles to adapt to Hitchcock’s system, is traded to the Hurricanes for Danny Markov.

During the lockout he followed teammate Niclas Wallin to join Luleå of the SEL in a leading role and became a fan favorite.

Returns to the NHL as an impact player, gain one of the best reputations in the league from coaches and fans, earn “Mr. Game 7” moniker, win three Stanley Cups, is awarded the 2014 Conn Smythe, and has credited the year in Luleå for making him a better player.

 

[FissionFire]

This thread was tailor made for Dan Cleary

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Bennett Calgary to Montreal and Kovacevic Montreal to NJ....

 

[Shawn Heins 44]

Nino Niederreiter from the Islanders to the rest of the NHL.

 

[Leafshater67]

William Karlsson going from 6 goals for the bluejackets to 43 for Vegas is one. He’s been a solid 2nd liner ever since.

It goes to show how much talent is in the league and how some guys would flourish if given a chance

 

[BattleLevel]

Not really. He took off before Vegas. He was a 30 goal scorer who was only 3 points back of leading the Panthers in scoring.



Very much so. He couldn’t even succeed in Nashville who might have had the best defense ever that year (Weber, Josi, Ekholm, Jones, and Ellis).



Die hard fans tended to support him more, but he was absolutely the whipping boy for more casual Leaf fans. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a fanbase rip on their star player more than Kessel in Toronto.



Maroon literally never had a better stretch of hockey than in Edmonton. He even had a 27 goal season, and never topped 28 points in a season after leaving. In Edmonton he was a second line powerforward. In Tampa he was a 4th line grinder. You literally have it backwards.



Nope. Edmonton fans constantly said he was a top pairing dman. It was every other fanbase that said Edmonton’s defense as a whole was bad so he couldn’t be good.

iirc Mark Spector really had it out for Petry for some reason. I remember reading a tweet where he got ripped for leaving the ice too early after practice ended.

 

[qc14]

Brett Connolly was drafted 6oa by the lightning and while he had instant success in the AHL he struggled in Tampa. Traded to Boston, he was even worse and wasn't qualified despite being just 23yo. Signs a one year prove-it contract in Washington and fits in perfectly on a third line with Eller and Burakovsky. Puts up 3 great seasons in a row, capped by 6 goals and 3 assists in the 2018 playoffs including the primary on the cup-winner.

Gets his payday in Florida, and instantly transforms back into a pumpkin. Plays only 110 games with 22 goals over the next 4 seasons and was out of the league at 29

 

[The Nuge]

iirc Mark Spector really had it out for Petry for some reason. I remember reading a tweet where he got ripped for leaving the ice too early after practice ended.

Ya Spector had a segment I clearly remember where he said something along the lines of “he might be used as a #1 in Edmonton, but he’s more like a #5 elsewhere”. How wrong he was

 

[Cup or Bust]

Bennett was basically a 4th liner in Calgary. Gets traded to Florida and he becomes a beast 2nd line centre for them in back to back finals runs winning a cup.

As an Oilers fan I always loved Bennett's game, not sure how many times over the years I told people I wish the Oilers could get him. I really have no idea how the Flames couldn't get more out of him as a player.