So elias is a franchise center that can't play center or defense, or take faceoffs but is being paid 7.35M to do those things? Somehow it's management's fault that he hasn't improved his skating, edgework, balance or strength after being drafted 5 years ago?
That poor Petey. Playing with a bunch of plugs in Boeser that *checks notes* led the team in scoring last year or Miller that led in scoring 2 years ago, was 2nd last year, and is leading the team again this year. How about one of the league's very best offensive defenseman in Quinn Hughes? Better throw in an elite goalie in Demko for good measure.
It's not like we're even asking him to be focus on his defensive responsibilities which is resulting in less offensive chances. He is straight up looking like ass. Frustrated that things aren't going his way, like a petulant child. Playing lazy and uninspired hockey. You want to demand superstar treatment, complain that you want to play on a good team, you have your part to play in making a team good. The expectation is that you be a leader on your team because you are now the 2nd highest paid player on that team. To grow, to push yourself to be the best version of yourself you can be.
I have no doubt he'll be fine over a seasons worth of games. But to me, ppg is not enough anymore. The baseline of ppg was established in his rookie season. If he fails to improve upon that 4 years into his career with more talent around him, then he's not the player we all thought he was. Time to step up.
Yeah, sure, I don't disagree he has sucked ass. I understand going the royal way, but I think of it differently I guess. This is just what I want to get straight...
So the franchise in itself can be how useless it wants, as long as it doesn't crash the $$$, it's fine how useless you are as a competitive "club". You can never be demoted. It's a company. But a player can just continue sinking without belief of any support? Shark tank, pure capitalism? That's the enviroment the franchises have created at least towards the players. We're seeing that more and more in contract negotiations, without question. It started with Nylander in Toronto, kind of, because his father Michael Nylander knew what kind of ruthless, ignorant bastards he had to deal with in his career. Profit hungry, short sighted morons with a tie.
It's funny how the NHL works the opposite from actual sports that way. Because the NHL is not primarily a sports league. It's a franchise created around making money on... wrestling, burgers, or hockey. Yeah, hockey. Great!
So the owners are... pathetic for the most part. And the management is... usually hilariously bad, honestly. And the coaches are... somewhat incredibly mediocre. Do I see a pattern here? How come ONLY THE PLAYERS are held to a f***ing standard here in a sport? Because it isn't a sport! That's the problem!
I don't say I mean Pettersson doesn't deserve to get his game back up on the third line, but it's clearly mental, whatever role you give him doesn't matter right now. He needs some spiritual boost, a motivation he doesn't have to fear his enviroment for struggling.
Let me put it this way. When Peter Forsberg entered the league, he played great for 3 games, then he struggled for like 8 games. He sucked. So the GM called him in: "What are you doing?"
Forsberg: "What do you mean?"
Crawford: "Start playing, stop thinking about... I'm not going to send you down or anything."
And Forsberg carried on to the HHOF.
I'm not saying the conversation should go with those exact words, but the geist is there. Maybe it should even be the incompetent coach if he's capable and intellegent enough for that kind of talk. Management has to show Petey they believe in him and don't care he struggles, to relieve him of an external pressure while handling a rut. I can GUARANTEE YOU this sort of conversation hasn't happened, probably much more of the opposite. It's Benning and the clown coach we're talking about. They have no clue what they're doing.
Why do you think the chemistry and the overall vibe of the team feels like shit? Have you ever asked yourself that question?
