Is Kucherov the least liked player in the NHL? (Performance in Skills competition)

[Mikeaveli]

He upsets a lot of fanbases and I love it lol

 

[WarriorofTime]

Totally agree. Spoilt baby syndrome is strong in that one.

He deserved every boo that rained down on him. I hope he was uncomfortable with the ‘adulation’.

If Toronto fans will boo him no matter what, who cares about entertaining them. If he ruined some kid’s birthday party that boos him then even better lol.

 

[hairylikebear]

It's not voluntary, so tough shit if you're a player. Just like press junkets are not voluntary for boxers and MMA fighters, press and premieres are not voluntary for movie stars, promotion is not voluntary for music stars, etc. etc. etc.

It's part of your job in the entertainment business, and that's all you are essentially. An entertainer.

You're just stating the obvious.

Let me approach this from a different angle. This moment turned out to a pretty crappy product for the fans. Sure Kucherov could have done better, but he didn't want to be there in the first place, so you're running that risk. You can tell him where to go and what to do but you can't control his attitude.

So why even ask him to go there? I'm a Stars fan, so I'll use Johnston as an example. Wyatt Johnston would love to be there, is hyper skilled, wants the world to know his name, and would appreciate having an ASG on his resume when he's negotiating his second contract. I am certain that Johnston in that situation would have performed way, way better.

Everyone wants to be there, everyone is having fun. It's a no-brainer.

Kucherov has sold plenty of tickets over his career. It's time to train a replacement.

 

[GhostfaceWu]

Totally agree. Spoilt baby syndrome is strong in that one.

He deserved every boo that rained down on him. I hope he was uncomfortable with the ‘adulation’.

Lol this is ironic because this describes everyone in this thread. I can't wait for the thread after the games where 50 percent of the players dont actually try and half ass it to see the same level of commitment to shit on someone from all the same posters in this thread.

 

[LuGBuG]

He should’ve wore a Dubois jersey and really committed to the performance.

 

[Geoist]

He would have to skip a game no? And he can win the Hart Trophy, so maybe he wasn't willing to do that.

Wouldn't count on him winning it now.

 

[JoVel]

Its just people who already don't like Kucherov piling on.

Let's be honest. The biggest mistake Kucherov did was doing this without being Canadian.

 

[GaboriklessWild]

Assuming he even gets there.

Well, his team is ahead of yours in the standings.

 

[TheBeard]

What's so bizarre about finding that interview boring? I'm sure all the players have personalities when the cameras aren't on, which is natural. Obviously it's a criticism of hockey culture in general.

It's one thing to call them boring, but to claim they put no effort into it and that they're their own worst enemy is hyperbole at its finest. Dude is 18, just getting used to basically being the youngest player in the league. Do you think he really cares at this point about being Mr. Personality? If I were a Hawks fan, I'd be more concerned if he was trying to be the life of the party rather than just keeping his head down and concentrating on carving out his place on the ice.

 

[Help]

He is not. You can argue he deserves to be, but Winning absolves many sins.

 

[ujju2]

Players get suspended for not going to the ASG, I think going and doing what he did is worse

I don't lean towards suspending him, but this is an excellent point.

 

[shtorm2005]

 

[Cursed Lemon]

I am torn between enjoying watching someone make fun of the ASG and the fact that it's Kucherov who pretty much has a bad attitude all the time anyway

 

[Rschmitz]

Kiddyish? Hockey is a kid's game and he's paid millions to play it for a living for the fans. The least he can do is be professional about it and not shit on the hand that feeds him.

Guy was just embarassing himself thinking he's doing us all a favor for being alive. Felt like a brat trying to oppose daddy for not buying him what he wants.

You got all of this because he didn’t smile and moved around slow? Lol ok, you are acting like he overtly did something horrible because he wasn’t giddy about being there. Truth is you have no clue what is on his mind and what he’s feeling right now.

 

[CherryToke]

View attachment 814343

Looking like Loky in that pic. Mischievous bastard lol

 

[Danarqhy]

Uncle Gary slipped Nikita a nice fat check to make himself into a story and take the media attention away from the NHL.

 

[Beyonder91]

It will be pretty hilarious if he now lights up the game

 

[Adele Dazeem]

None of the players give a shit, this isn't a story.
Passing competition...what a joke.

 

[Rschmitz]

It's not voluntary, so tough shit if you're a player. Just like press junkets are not voluntary for boxers and MMA fighters, press and premieres are not voluntary for movie stars, promotion is not voluntary for music stars, etc. etc. etc.

It's part of your job in the entertainment business, and that's all you are essentially. An entertainer.

Can you point out in his contract where he is obligated to smile and show he’s having fun? Such a dumb and ambiguous point

 

[ujju2]

He’s an NHL hockey player, not an entertainer. His job is to win games for the Tampa Bay Lightning, not entertain.

It’s a ‘game’ that generates a ton of money for the NHL, and takes more time, energy, and focus than a regular season game, yet for a fraction of the pay. You want Kucherov to try? Give him incentive to want to be there, rather than sitting on an island in The Keys like his buddy Stamkos.

He's a professional. There are expectations that come with that. No additional incentive required.

I personally wouldn't advocate for supplemental discipline, but if he really needs incentive, the threat of a suspension should do the trick...

 

[Miro4Norris]

Idk generally I would be excited of a competition like this even if I was doing it my friends without prize. So it's difficult to understand this childish attitude, especially when you're doing it for the fans which made you a multimillionaire

However, there is couple of factors that makes it more understandable

Firstival, I think players would care about the event more if it was actually best on best. What is Konecny and Wilson doing there while top10 player like Rantanen is on a holiday?

Secondly, and more importantly: NHL has time for this and is planning to make 82 game season even longer than it is but haven't found time for real international hockey for years??? That's what players care a lot, some players even more than about winning the Stanley cup

Third, now as NHL finally announced day before that at least some kind of (exhibition) international hockey event is coming next year, Kucherov's national team is out(and rightly so). He might be very pissed of that decision.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

He’s an NHL hockey player, not an entertainer. His job is to win games for the Tampa Bay Lightning, not entertain.

It’s a ‘game’ that generates a ton of money for the NHL, and takes more time, energy, and focus than a regular season game, yet for a fraction of the pay. You want Kucherov to try? Give him incentive to want to be there, rather than sitting on an island in The Keys like his buddy Stamkos.

That's incorrect. Hockey is entertainment. His job is to play hockey as entertainment for fans.

And part of his job is also to be in post game press interviews, do publicity for his team, for the league, etc.

You seriously think the All Star game takes more energy and focus than a regular season game? His incentive is that he is a highly paid entertainer and part of his job is promoting his sport.

 

[MoneyManny]

You got all of this because he didn’t smile and moved around slow? Lol ok, you are acting like he overtly did something horrible because he wasn’t giddy about being there. Truth is you have no clue what is on his mind and what he’s feeling right now.

I don't need any solid evidence to have the impression that he's a giant douche, i'm not sueing the guy. You're right though i know nothing. I don't claim to.

 

[Soundwave]

Can you point out in his contract where he is obligated to smile and show he’s having fun? Such a dumb and ambiguous point

That shouldn't have to be put into a freaking contract.

I'm pretty sure movie stars don't have in their contract that they have to smile at a movie premiere either, they do it because it's called not being a jack ass. It's called "professionalism".

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Eh, let’s see how he performs in the game