Did Matthew Tkachuk's selfishness cost team USA?

[Crosby2010]

I guess we have short memories. Yzerman and Lemieux both for sure hurt themselves playing in the 2002 Olympics. Lemieux openly said playing in the Olympics was a priority and he played 24 games for the Pens that year. Yzerman's knee was hurt even at that time, and especially in the 2002 playoffs. I don't know about the rest of you, but I certainly don't hold it against a warrior for coming out there and giving his all when he's hurt. Mario at 75% is better than what his replacement would be.

There could have been something in the final game that hurt Tkachuk or that he tweaked or whatever that caused him to sit out the rest of the game. But selfish? No. He's arguably USA's best player, you want to suit him up and hope for the best. A Canada/USA final - in Boston - for all of the marbles in the first best on best in 9 years and there are those who are questioning his commitment?

 

[Fatass]

Yes.

 

[ORRFForever]

I guess we have short memories. Yzerman and Lemieux both for sure hurt themselves playing in the 2002 Olympics. Lemieux openly said playing in the Olympics was a priority and he played 24 games for the Pens that year. Yzerman's knee was hurt even at that time, and especially in the 2002 playoffs. I don't know about the rest of you, but I certainly don't hold it against a warrior for coming out there and giving his all when he's hurt. Mario at 75% is better than what his replacement would be.

There could have been something in the final game that hurt Tkachuk or that he tweaked or whatever that caused him to sit out the rest of the game. But selfish? No. He's arguably USA's best player, you want to suit him up and hope for the best. A Canada/USA final - in Boston - for all of the marbles in the first best on best in 9 years and there are those who are questioning his commitment?

I don't care if MT was selfish - it benefitted Canada. I'm just happy to see the toll its taken on the brothers.

You're NOT 20 anymore, Tkachuks. I hope it hurts - literally and figuratively.

 

[Summer Rose]

I guess we have short memories. Yzerman and Lemieux both for sure hurt themselves playing in the 2002 Olympics. Lemieux openly said playing in the Olympics was a priority and he played 24 games for the Pens that year. Yzerman's knee was hurt even at that time, and especially in the 2002 playoffs. I don't know about the rest of you, but I certainly don't hold it against a warrior for coming out there and giving his all when he's hurt. Mario at 75% is better than what his replacement would be.

There could have been something in the final game that hurt Tkachuk or that he tweaked or whatever that caused him to sit out the rest of the game. But selfish? No. He's arguably USA's best player, you want to suit him up and hope for the best. A Canada/USA final - in Boston - for all of the marbles in the first best on best in 9 years and there are those who are questioning his commitment?

Therein lies the difference, which is why I answered "yes" to the premise of the thread earlier. Mario Lemieux was such an elite player that what you said about him is very true, whereas Matthew Tkachuk at 75% was not better than his replacement likely would have been.