Blech. I don't think this coaching staff gives anyone the free pass Crow gave Bert and Naslund, they could do no wrong.
True and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Also, in reference to the discussion from a page or two back (damn work interfering with my HFBoarding), I'm not sure I entirely agree with starting prospects on the 4th line. For most prospects, yeah, good idea. But for our guys who, let's be reality, this team needs to become the stars of the future (Kassian and Jensen) I think their development would be better served by having good linemates and actually being significant offensive contributors.
Well despite having a small handful of very talented forwards, I think this team lives and dies by its work ethic and its commitment to tight systems play (think of our most spectacular losses, the team falls apart and gets lit up on the scoreboard).
And even those very talented forwards had to take time to learn that system and learn to play the game at the speed it's done in the NHL from a limited role before they were rewarded with bigger roles and more ice time.
The only exception I can really think of on this team is the Sedins and the Canucks team they joined was so short of NHL depth that there was no way they weren't immediately the third best line.
If Jensen is that good then he will start on the fourth line and be off it in very short order. If he is not then he will probably spend 20-40 games there before getting larger assignments.
These guys are kids who will struggle with consistency, more importantly the team doesn't need them to play key roles immediately.. it's better for every one to let them wade in rather than putting them in a position where they are not competent defensively and must live and die on their offensive production - on a line that has to produce.
I'll never have a problem with Bertuzzi leaving the bench to not only defend, but to actually protect a teammate.
10 games is a harsh penalty, but that play IMO brought the WCE and team together...
You know what, I liked it at the time too. And I'll always have sympathy for his motives under the circumstances.
If Bertuzzi had been taught a hard lesson by that incident, perhaps he wouldn't have ruined two careers and effectively ended the WCE era a few years later.
But I would guess the coaching staff probably treated Bertuzzi the same way you and I (and other fans) would have, "gee Todd, that 10 gamer really hurts but way to stand up for the guys.."