Pretty much this. I mentioned this before, I think Tocchet wants Petey to act like he's the star and take over games. Tocchet challenged Hughes and Miller and they responded. Tocchet wants the same out of Petey. Tocchet didn't get along with OEL, I think, because at that point OEL was still expected to be the best player but he no longer played that way. Kuzmenko simply had trouble producing offensively while playing Tocchet's system. I think Sprong is going to face the same issue.
We like to make Petey comparisons to the Sedins but the Sedins simply brought their own type of leadership. Of course the Sedins and their legendary physical fitness and conditioning helped. A coach like Torts is going to try and be tough and demanding and the Sedins is going to respond with their best. A coach can't help but respect the Sedins who do all they can both in practice and in games.
Petey has been failing the eye test for a while. We've been wanting him to step up whenever he faces the league's best Cs but there has been little to no response. He's consistently outplayed by the best and we've been making excuses for him because most of the time our team simply isn't as good. But last year we had a good team so the excuses have run out.
A perfect comparison is Hughes. Hughes got the C and look what he did. He was the runaway winner for the Norris Trophy. I do think Tocchet is challenging Petey to be better and I hope he responds in a positive way and puts together a Hart/Art Ross calibre season.
Before Tocchet ever got here EP was touted as a Selke candidate, but he hit way less.
Miller was a Tocchet type player before Tocchet got here.
Lots of expert medical posters discount experience.
It is the same for concussions, ever had one? Two? Three? Just about every contact sport player will suffer some level of concussion. Post concussion symptoms vary, sometimes a person will not even know. Timing is off. Easily fatigued. Bad decisions. Coordination can be off just a bit. More severe apart from bad decisions, headaches, sensitivity to bright light, dilated pupils, change in personality, mood swings, depression, concentration issues. Each successive concussion is more severe and easier to get.
How many times lately has EP muffed the one timer? Missed on shots he was wiring before or the entire net? A blind pass to the opposition player? Stumbled and fell or real easy to fall? A sudden drop in production? Shaking his head after hitting or being hit? These obvious symptoms can/might happen but not all the time but will get more frequent.
He should start the season much better but really watch when he hits or gets hit. IMO he has had at least 3 concussions that were fairly easy to see in the NHL only one did have to be helped off the ice but the other two he finished the game but was not in the lineup in the next few games. Often listed as silly descriptions. A hurt wrist that never needed taping after, a bad finger that never had a splint, upper body injury and now an undiagnosed sore knee that none of the team, doctors or league knew about.
If there is doubt then look up the thousands of internet results.
IMO - From personal experience.
EP - Post Concussion syndrome - this can dissipate but it takes a lot of time. This isn't noticeable 100% of the time the symptoms can be transitory. Shaking of the head after impact is often a sign of getting the bell rung and EP does that a lot and often his game is off after. You don't have to get knocked out or even down just rattled.
EP talk and opinion
