I'm sure it wasn't about getting called a p***y once and more about many years of bad blood coming to a boil because the loud abrasive guy suddenly got the blessing from mgmt to go after him and ramped up the abrasiveness... we don't know details of exactly what happened but it's easy to see how that conflict could have escalated very quickly.
It damn near tore the team apart, and still may.
But it was the best thing for Pettersson. Whether he likes it or not, he WILL have guys giving extra attention. That is the nature of the game. It all unfolded pretty well organically, come in to camp in f***ing shape. You get paid $11.5 million a year, you must play as many games as you possibly can, and you must perform well in them.
What Petey probably didn't stop to think, is maybe *I* was wrong. Because all he's really done now is jettison the only guy sticking up for anyone out there out of town. Hopefully he's strong enough to take it - mentally and physically.
Of course, did 9 have to go after him that hard? No. But it would be brutal to work your ass off, knowing your career is winding down and your peak is closing and then the guy who's supposed to provide you backup has been picking his nose all summer.
Seems like EP found himself his first "fan" group of friends. Hello, EP. This is Vancouver, we're a bunch of f***ing morons who think we're smart because we were born on 3rd base. We literally rioted over a hockey game. That about says it all.
That Wayne Gretzky comparison as a rookie can f*** with your head. What a stupid f***ing comparison that was, as well. I still see it stylistically, but it's still an incredibly irresponsible comparison to make.
Not everything is a 'locker room issue'
Sometimes players and teams, can just play like shit.
It literally was and is a locker room issue. Everyone confirmed it, the breadcrumbs are there.
I'm sorry but this just sounds like copium to me. Hate to piss on everyone's party.