Player Discussion Brady Tkachuk (LW) - Part XI

[DueDiligence]

JT is a boring (and overpaid) robot, but not sure about uninspiring. He puts more effort on the ice than our captain does and doesn't complain to the media.

JT can handle the more difficult pressure of being captain of the centre of the universe than Brady handles Ottawa.

I guess we aren't watching the same Leafs games because JT is a passenger most of the time. He's just lucky enough to be playing with a generational talent in Matthews and two elite wingers in Marner and Nylander. They certainly take the heat off him. His defensive effort has been questioned many times and over his career has accomplished very little other than meaningless numbers as they haven't brought real team success. Even his series winning goal last year was more of a fluke than a great play.

 

[DueDiligence]

One game where Brady backchecks and it's like a narrative flip in here.

I love the guy, don't get me wrong. But for years we've complained he doesn't play defense, doesn't backcheck, and regularly cheats zone exits. One game of correction doesn't make him immune from criticism. Having the most hits on the team doesn't mean shit to me anymore.

The timeline this year has been pretty wild. Fans boo the team and DJ. Brady calls fans out. Proceeds to not at all improve his play under the last coach. Hits a pretty solid slump. Coach gets fired. 2 games in with a new coach and he's talking about how bad he feels instead of what this team is gonna do to get out of the hole they've dug or apologize to the fans.

Who's he trying to appeal to? The fans that have paid good money and spent their personal time to watch this team lose for years and somehow be worse this year than last?

This is a put up or shut up league. As of today, this team, this leadership group, and this captain, have talked too much and done too little.

Oh how I long for the days when players actually earned big contracts later in their careers.

If it were up to me, everyone gets stripped of their letters once the new GM and coach comes in. Brady can earn it back if he wants to.


And that mentality has seeped into the entire team. Idk who the chicken or the egg is in this scenario, but if part of the Captains job is to drag guys into the fight he sure can't seem to steady the boat so they can all row in the same direction.

So where are all the other guys who should be leaders on this team? Guys who have been around as long, same age or older than Tkachuk? Giroux been strangely quiet this year, same as Batherson. Guys like Norris, Chychrun and Zub get a hall pass from everybody. And has anybody even asked a tough question to Tarasenko an NHL vet in his 12th season?

 

[CorrectOpinion]

I don't want to risk a ban, so I'll just thank you for trying to gas lighting me twice and move on.

You sound like my ex-wife.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Brady certainly wearing his heart on his sleeve. He looked on the verge of tears and like someone who needs a hug,
He is going through some emotional turmoil with the team results and the changes. Very emotional post game speech,

Although he is trying to shoulder it , it sounded too much like he just wanted a shoulder to cry on and be told its ok and its not your fault. Who knows maybe DJ was that shoulder. Maybe he knew Brady needed a boost here and there.

I think he and Stu possibly one or two more took the coaching change to heart and that plus the losses are getting the better of them emotionally. Its a learning moment and you absolutely have to look for the silver linings and grow stronger from it. A hole has been dug for whatever reasons and you can't dwell on that, you need to know that the changes made were for the benefit of the team and you have to get behind that 100% with the belief that things will get better.. Definitely have to park the egos about what was , who is right or wrong and the self doubt.

 

[DJB]

You know the play styles I like?

Being responsible and leading in all three zones of the ice.

Wow crazy trait for an NHL captain to have.

Once again telling everyone you never played hockey at a high level because you have no idea what you are talking about with regards to Brady and his on and off ice leadership

 

[albator71]

This how you learn, I think many of our young core players are just realizing that talent alone will not win you games, you need to play a 200 foot game and pay attention to the little details. It's not about your personal stats its about playing as a team and playing within a solid structure.

 

[ottawagm]

I do like that Brady took accountability for the losses and how he's playing last night. That's leadership, it's your fault even when it isn't.

 

[bert]

I don't think protecting your own at the expense of the fans opinions is right leadership.

Andlauer probably found out that the feeling of the 30 fans in 323 were the majority, rather than the minority, when it came to ticket sales for the holidays.

I know I wasn't looking forward to spending the rest of my Sens season credit if they had already given up on the year and weren't going to try to improve. I doubt many people were spending money on gifts to see them play poorly and blame paying fans for their results.

Well the fans aren't in the room the fans aren't going to war. And how was that even 'at their expense'. This is fan entitlement at a level I can't understand.

The next 10 home games are sold out. Lol no 323 who is likely sens twitter is the absolute minority. Again more fan entitlement.

No one has given up either. They're just not good.

 

[Relapsing]

So where are all the other guys who should be leaders on this team? Guys who have been around as long, same age or older than Tkachuk? Giroux been strangely quiet this year, same as Batherson. Guys like Norris, Chychrun and Zub get a hall pass from everybody. And has anybody even asked a tough question to Tarasenko an NHL vet in his 12th season?

I mean, this is the Brady thread, so that's probably more a reflection on the topic vs them getting a pass.

The whole team is largely underperforming. For what it's worth, I don't think anyone is free from criticism.

 

[Relapsing]

You sound like my ex-wife.

I'll add it to my list of accolades for 2023.

If you wanna keep getting digs in, DM me and I'll leave you on read. I can't keep biting my tongue this much dude.

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

Well the fans aren't in the room the fans aren't going to war. And how was that even 'at their expense'. This is fan entitlement at a level I can't understand.

The next 10 home games are sold out. Lol no 323 who is likely sens twitter is the absolute minority. Again more fan entitlement.

No one has given up either. They're just not good.

This team hasn't gone to war for years. Since 2017 to be exact.

They have been getting eliminated by December instead and then when the pressure is off, going on their run.

You call that going to war?

And the problem is that they are good. They just like playing junior hockey too much.

 

[bert]

take how disinterested Karlsson could sometimes look in his own zone. And multiply that several fold for Brady.

Also one of the things that made Karlsson special was that he could create opportunities from his own zone. a lot of his offense would come from plays he started in the defensive zone.

Contrast that to Brady cherry picking on blue lines and being lazy on the backcheck in hopes for another breakaway chance. And calling that inspirational leadership.

And not even finishing the breakaways he does cheat for lol.

Hopefully Brady can survive Martin.

That's how you know you can't look at this objectively

This team hasn't gone to war for years. Since 2017 to be exact.

They have been getting eliminated by December instead and then when the pressure is going off go on their run.

You call that going to war?

And the problem is that they are good. They just like playing junior hockey too much.

Ffs you're clueless.

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

That's how you know you can't look at this objectively


Ffs you're clueless.

Results. Performance. Objective measures.

It's not me saying this. It's the reality of what has unfolded last couple years and especially this year.

 

[CorrectOpinion]

Brady certainly wearing his heart on his sleeve. He looked on the verge of tears and like someone who needs a hug,
He is going through some emotional turmoil with the team results and the changes. Very emotional post game speech,

Although he is trying to shoulder it , it sounded too much like he just wanted a shoulder to cry on and be told its ok and its not your fault. Who knows maybe DJ was that shoulder. Maybe he knew Brady needed a boost here and there.

I think he and Stu possibly one or two more took the coaching change to heart and that plus the losses are getting the better of them emotionally. Its a learning moment and you absolutely have to look for the silver linings and grow stronger from it. A hole has been dug for whatever reasons and you can't dwell on that, you need to know that the changes made were for the benefit of the team and you have to get behind that 100% with the belief that things will get better.. Definitely have to park the egos about what was , who is right or wrong and the self doubt.

I actually think all of this evidence of good leadership. Brady not just deferring to "this is a business" and having an emotional response to DJ being fired is a good. This team actually giving a shit about eachother is gonna be what eventually gets us out of this and leads to success.

 

[Tuna99]

What's funny is that when Brady does care about putting in an effort defensively he makes good defensive plays.

There was a diving interception he made last night that was incredible and just because he was giving an effort.

But that effort was missing 95 percent of the time since he was made captain and people call that incredible leadership. Wild.

He plays like his Dad, he wants t someone to carry the puck though the betray zone for him and he wants the puck once he gets to the O-zone.


Nota 200 foot player yet, if him and Timmy get it together this is a top NHL team

 

[DueDiligence]

I mean, this is the Brady thread, so that's probably more a reflection on the topic vs them getting a pass.

The whole team is largely underperforming. For what it's worth, I don't think anyone is free from criticism.

I was taking in the whole the Sens board when I wrote that. Giroux has virtually identical numbers to Brady these last six games and he gets 1/ 20th the criticism BT gets. Zub and Sanderson have not been good for a while but virtually no one gets on their cases. I could go on but I wish people would try to be objective.

Results. Performance. Objective measures.

It's not me saying this. It's the reality of what has unfolded last couple years and especially this year.

Sort of like Karlsson's negative impact on the Pens this year. Correct?

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

I was taking in the whole the Sens board when I wrote that. Giroux has virtually identical numbers to Brady these last six games and he gets 1/ 20th the criticism BT gets. Zub and Sanderson have not been good for a while but virtually no one gets on their cases. I could go on but I wish people would try to be objective.


Sort of like Karlsson's negative impact on the Pens this year. Correct?

How has Karlsson had a negative impact on the Penguins? His pairing with Petterson has like 70 percent goals for.

26 goals for 11 against. Could you imagine if we had a pair who could put up numbers like that like that? playoffs probably.

Karlsson and Giroux not been great though. But they are 33 and 36.

Giroux at 24: 93 points hart level performance. 17 points in 10 playoff games.

Karlsson at 24...

 

[Ice-Tray]

I don't think protecting your own at the expense of the fans opinions is right leadership.

Andlauer probably found out that the feeling of the 30 fans in 323 were the majority, rather than the minority, when it came to ticket sales for the holidays.

I know I wasn't looking forward to spending the rest of my Sens season credit if they had already given up on the year and weren't going to try to improve. I doubt many people were spending money on gifts to see them play poorly and blame paying fans for their results.

This post has me thinking of all the other ones moaning about Brady speaking his mind.

I think fans need to stop thinking that they are the be all end all. Touch grass so to speak, you’re spectators.

Some of you guys shit on the players and everyone else all the time on social media without a care in the world towards how the targets may feel about it, yet when there is the slightest general push back you all take it personally, then freak out and play the victim like how dare he?!? Only us fans are allowed to be absolute douchhats on social media!!

It’s incredibly embarrassing to watch a bunch of anonymous keyboard warrior Sens fans try and criticize a guy for speaking his mind publicly in response, all while hiding behind avatars online, like who is the coward here? Who is displaying leadership? Jesus, so deluded.

Then we have also have guys in here talking about thin skins and shaming emotional responses, all the while crying everyday on an online forum about other grown men playing a sport. Pathetic behaviour.

Go to games or don’t, but for the love of God stop playing the victim here, be big boys and girls and own up to what you spend your money on. No one owes you a rats ass, anymore than anyone would care if you took your couple bucks and walked.

Rant over.

 

[h2]

This post has me thinking of all the other ones moaning about Brady speaking his mind.

I think fans need to stop thinking that they are the be all end all. Touch grass so to speak, you’re spectators.

Some of you guys shit on the players and everyone else all the time on social media without a care in the world towards how the targets may feel about it, yet when there is the slightest general push back you all take it personally, then freak out and play the victim like how dare he?!? Only us fans are allowed to be absolute douchhats on social media!!

It’s incredibly embarrassing to watch a bunch of anonymous keyboard warrior Sens fans try and criticize a guy for speaking his mind publicly in response, all while hiding behind avatars online, like who is the coward here? Who is displaying leadership? Jesus, so deluded.

Then we have also have guys in here talking about thin skins and shaming emotional responses, all the while crying everyday on an online forum about other grown men playing a sport. Pathetic behaviour.

Go to games or don’t, but for the love of God stop playing the victim here, be big boys and girls and own up to what you spend your money on. No one owes you a rats ass, anymore than anyone would care if you took your couple bucks and walked.

Rant over.

Well said, and agreed! +1

 

[Adrianopolous]

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

This post has me thinking of all the other ones moaning about Brady speaking his mind.

I think fans need to stop thinking that they are the be all end all. Touch grass so to speak, you’re spectators.

Some of you guys shit on the players and everyone else all the time on social media without a care in the world towards how the targets may feel about it, yet when there is the slightest general push back you all take it personally, then freak out and play the victim like how dare he?!? Only us fans are allowed to be absolute douchhats on social media!!

It’s incredibly embarrassing to watch a bunch of anonymous keyboard warrior Sens fans try and criticize a guy for speaking his mind publicly in response, all while hiding behind avatars online, like who is the coward here? Who is displaying leadership? Jesus, so deluded.

Then we have also have guys in here talking about thin skins and shaming emotional responses, all the while crying everyday on an online forum about other grown men playing a sport. Pathetic behaviour.

Go to games or don’t, but for the love of God stop playing the victim here, be big boys and girls and own up to what you spend your money on. No one owes you a rats ass, anymore than anyone would care if you took your couple bucks and walked.

Rant over.

Marry me.

Just kidding. I prefer my wife.

Best post of December 2023

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

View attachment 789127

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

The adversity thing is ironic given the way this franchise has been run this past decade. To accuse fans of being unable to stick through adversity with how this franchise has been run since 2012 is absurd and out of touch.

It's one thing to say, the booing didn't feel good, we didn't like it, etc - but to target the fans who stuck with the team through all the BS, I'm not sure how people can't see how that mistake reflected negatively on him.

He insulted fans who stuck with the team through years of acrimonious ownership that resulted in multiple franchise players being sold off due to budgetary concerns, and absurd events like the former owner hijacking a weekend meant to celebrate the history of the team by grandstanding on Parliament Hill with an absurd rant about relocating the team.

 

[Ice-Tray]

The adversity thing is ironic given the way this franchise has been run this past decade. To accuse fans of being unable to stick through adversity with how this franchise has been run since 2012 is absurd and out of touch.

It's one thing to say, the booing didn't feel good, we didn't like it, etc - but to target the fans who stuck with the team through all the BS, I'm not sure how people can't see how that mistake reflected negatively on him.

He insulted fans who stuck with the team through years of acrimonious ownership that resulted in multiple franchise players being sold off due to budgetary concerns, and absurd events like the former owner hijacking a weekend meant to celebrate the history of the team by grandstanding on Parliament Hill with an absurd rant about relocating the team.

I disagree, but I’m also in my cups so here goes!!!!

Are we going to pretend to be the martyrs of the horrendous Melnyk era? Are we really going to claim PTSD in stark daylight?

It’s pro sports, shit happens, grow up, move on. No one is going to caretake our sadsack fan emotions. Take ownership, it’s your own fault if you feel victimized by the local pro hockey team, as a fan. How many are claiming to hold a grudge while following the team fervently? Again, it’s personal choice to be a fan. Its complex, and it has highs and lows, but it’s a choice.

No Brady didn’t insult us, some folks just felt insulted because some fans like to have free rein with their ire and get upset when there is push back, big difference. He pushed back a little at fans who booed him and his team while they played hockey on the ice, is that really an injustice?

As for EM, the man is dead. Anyone carrying emotional drama from that era is doing so by choice.

At least that’s what I think.

Rant 2.0

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Lack of maturity is a team problem with this group. Also doesn't help with a severe lack of direction from the management side of things. Coddling the kids and throwing massive deals with no pushback at them and acting like they're on the verge of greatness when they've never gotten within sniffing distance of the playoffs isn't how you deal with young players who need direction. You could see this result coming miles away.

Now, we do have Martin and Alfredsson working with the guys now...but it will take time. Some parts of their game will have to be broken down and rebuilt.

Now this is a professional league. Fans are going to fan. You want to be a pro, crazy fans are part of it. Brady and the rest need to learn how to deal with it. People in message boards and debate until the end of time whether it's fair or not. The pressure and expectations aren't going away. Same goes for any high pressure workplace.