Yes, I do feel that Agent Zub has a strong point. It does show time in and time again that the leadership group is mentally weak. Not just because they lose games, but the way they lose games, and then completely fall apart and go on long stretches of winless games, looking absolutely terrible in the process
Maybe Giroux is not a good leader. I mean I wouldn't call hi terrible, but is there any data that backs up the fact that he is a good leader? Has he won anything? Or lead a Team to anything substantial, on a consistent bases. His leadership did not came through last year in Florida. Florida literally fell apart under his short leadership stint.
Also, if you are going to call Alfredsson and Karlsson bad leaders, going by that standards, then yes Giroux is a terrible leader.
The thing is when I came back to this thread after the Oilers loss, you assumed I am trying to take a direct shot as Tkachuk, which I wasn't (We all know how sensitive and defensive you are when it comes to Brady) But the fact of the matter is I wasn't calling out Tkachuk but a large group of players including the Coaches or whoever is in that leadership role behind the scenes.
When this Thread was created the fact did pointed towards this point being more true than wrong (be it way early to judge or not, is betides the point) They went on a good run, made me rethink that maybe its not, and they have finally came off age, but as I started to think that, they proved me wrong or right again (depends how you want to look at it) and in the current state and what I have witness from their play and results, I have to lean towards the fact that indeed this team does have a weak leadership core.
Maybe in the future, probably most likely and I hope to death it does change and this post does look silly, but for now they haven't shown much for us to think otherwise
And finally I am not implying that Tkachuk is a bad captain or should be the Captain. I am more than fine with his game, especially offensively. His 5on5 game is gradually improving, is not there where I like it to be but its its getting there. Defensively he still needs a lot of work but with time that will come
Let's break this down. First, I never said that Kalrsson & Alfredsson were bad leaders I said the team were losing just as much when they were captains here & asked you where was your criticism of them then?
That AgentZub post on leadership is unfounded & false & based on his hatred of Brady Tkachuk. Here are a 10 reasons why this team is so much better now & just beginning to be a contending team & leadersip has a lot to do with it.
1. Ottawa has two players in the running for the Calder Rookie Trophy in Pinto & Sanderson. Both Pinto & Sanderson have mentioned how Brady was talking to them before they even joined the team & was helping them get climitized when they arrived.
2. Ottawa has 5 players who have over 50 pts right now which is a rarity on this team & maybe in hockey in general. And that's with Chabot having an off yr & under 50 pts. Stutzle gets much more room on the ice with Brady on his wing & anyone who goes after him Brady goes after them, ask Stutzle if that is important? Karlsson thought it was he thanked Neil for it.
3. Giroux was the captain of Philly for over a decade & he is loved in Philly as Alfredsson is loved here & the hockey world & media constantly mention what a great leader he is including the players.
4. All of the players have mentioned how great Tkachuk has been as captain, Stutzle raves about him, remember when he had the kids throw their hats when Stutzle had a hat trick? He does all kinds of things for the players on his team, Giroux raves about him, the media rave about him, everyone it seems except you two. They all seem to say what a tight group they are & how much fun they are having.
5. Tkachuk is becoming a premier powerforward in the league it gets mentioned on almost every brodcast & every Montreal fan I know mentions how bad it was for Montreal to not draft him. I remember some people saying he might not every get 50 pts & he's over 70 already & has led this team in scoring the last 3 yrs. How is that not leading the team?
6. Stutzle is becomine a superstar in the league & could hit 80 pts this yr & he has broken out while on Brady's line.
7. They now have at least 3 top 4 PMD & some think Zub is a top 4 D filling out the top 4. This doesn't go to leadership but it's another point to prove this team is on the rise & improving.
8. Last yr they were out of the playoff race in November this yr they have been in the playoff race all yr & were 4 pts out of a playoff spot until their recent western road trip, how is that not playing meaningful games right up until March. And some might still say they are meaningful games until they are mathematically eliminated.
9. The reason they have been losing for the last 6 to 7 yrs is because they were a crappy team & most of those yrs was when Karlsson was the captain & they decided to rebuild & get rid of all of their good players with value. Losing the good players leaves the team with not so good players & while they accumulated a ton of picks & some prospects it takes time for all those prospects to mature & become NHL ready then start to excel in the NHL. We are now starting to see that maturity happening as they have taken a huge step forward this yr & much more is expected from them next yr.
10. Ottawa is going to start another new goalie tonight their 6th this season Dylan Ferguson who has all of 1 NHL game of experience. If you don't think the fact that they have had so many goalie injuries to this team this yr which has hurt their chances you don't know hockey. Norris their leading goal scorer last yr has only played 8 games this yr so was lost for most of the season. This team had every reason to give up & say injuries killed their season but they kept clawing back & stayed in the race mostly due to leadership from Tkachuk & Giroux.
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