He's let this situation go to his head, his play has suffered, and that heavily affects his team and his trade value. I don't give a damn that he's being honest with his quotes here - the fact he even let it happen is the definition of being unprofessional. I am admittedly a little more peeved at the situation because Zuccarello proved to be a real heartbeat of this team over the years. For him to throw in the towel like this is out of character and strange.
Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XX
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He's let this situation go to his head, his play has suffered, and that heavily affects his team and his trade value. I don't give a damn that he's being honest with his quotes here - the fact he even let it happen is the definition of being unprofessional. I am admittedly a little more peeved at the situation because Zuccarello proved to be a real heartbeat of this team over the years. For him to throw in the towel like this is out of character and strange.
Mike in Houston
Registered User
Jaromir Jagr
Registered User
Yes, because most people on planet earth don't ever get discouraged at their jobs.
He is a human being, it's not a shock when things like this get to a player. Just like you and I have bad days, weeks, even months at work, so too do athletes.
I just really wonder whether most posters on here have any self-awareness. It's pretty telling when a person can admit they're wrong or effected by something. I have no problem with him admitting it, I have no problem with the situation as it transpired. Honestly, the main issue i have is that Gorton didn't move him last year. Everyone and their mom knew Zucc would not last through this year and just dragging it out was a recipe for disaster.
YetAnotherNorwegian
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- Nov 1, 2010
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I just hope he gets shipped out as soon as possible, so he can be remembered with even the slightest of fondness.
It's been a great ride, but it's time.
It's been a great ride, but it's time.
Amazing Kreiderman
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- Apr 11, 2011
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"But... But... He makes millions so he shouldn't be complaining" and other ridiculous arguments.
Sometimes people forget these are human beings with feelings and struggles similar to what we go through, despite the millionaire income
Irishguy42
Mr. Preachy
Zuccarello ain't doing the team any favors in terms of trade value.
Blame Gorton all you want for not moving him last TDL, but I don't think anyone could have projected that he'd stink up the rink THIS much.
Blame Gorton all you want for not moving him last TDL, but I don't think anyone could have projected that he'd stink up the rink THIS much.
DutchShamrock
Registered User
Plain and simple, Zuccarello is playing like he doesn't want to be here. I don't doubt he is upset about the impending departure and wants to stay, but he isn't even making a case for himself as a part of the future.
Overall, I'm not so concerned about the "country club" atmosphere. We had it in the 90s when most other teams had a boiler room as a locker room. Guys came here to retire, was the adage. The real problem was the mercenary culture we fostered.
Today, every team is housed in a phenomenal rink, top notch locker room, excellent accommodations. If we sense that CC culture creeping in again, I would wager it's the mercenary culture coupled with the losing. McQuaid and Namestinkov were just pulled off legit winners. Smith is going from loser to loser. Shattenkirk hitched himself to the wrong horse and watched his last team win.
I'll be clear. This is not an excuse or a legitimate reason for their play. But it's a common thread between now and '97-'04. No buy in, fast quitters, no mental toughness. The nice lockers and treatment aren't the cause.
Overall, I'm not so concerned about the "country club" atmosphere. We had it in the 90s when most other teams had a boiler room as a locker room. Guys came here to retire, was the adage. The real problem was the mercenary culture we fostered.
Today, every team is housed in a phenomenal rink, top notch locker room, excellent accommodations. If we sense that CC culture creeping in again, I would wager it's the mercenary culture coupled with the losing. McQuaid and Namestinkov were just pulled off legit winners. Smith is going from loser to loser. Shattenkirk hitched himself to the wrong horse and watched his last team win.
I'll be clear. This is not an excuse or a legitimate reason for their play. But it's a common thread between now and '97-'04. No buy in, fast quitters, no mental toughness. The nice lockers and treatment aren't the cause.
Edge
Kris King's Ghost
I think that's what adds to fans frustrations --- the belief that this is franchise is due for a break.
The truth is we're not really one of those franchises that has enjoyed many. We haven't always helped our cause, but we've never really had a pillow either.
There's almost part of me that thinks all of this is underlying factor in why we're going down this road. Someone finally said, "Look, this league is set up a certain way. We don't have to like it, or agree with it. But it is what it is. You want to build something like Chicago, or Pittsburgh, or Toronto, we need to roll the dice and see if we can land a guy or two who are going to be faces of the franchise for the next 10-15 years. And not the type of guys who we debate as filling that role, there should be no doubt. And the best way to do that is high draft picks, a focus on scouting and development, and two steps back to take take many steps forward. Unfortunately, that approach also comes with no guarantees and if it fails, it usually fails spectacularly. But if it works, and it does work, it's how you build a legit contender. The league isn't going to do us any favors, because its too interested in making sure hockey works in North Carolina, or Arizona, or Ohio, or Manitoba, or whatever other high-risk, low-yield market it decides to pursue. So we need to make our own luck and strive for our own destiny --- even if it means walking the tight rope between the promised land and oblivion."
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NYR Viper
Registered User
Does anyone else find it odd that Hayes hasn't played the last couple of games, just after the New Year, when he can start negotiating, if given the opportunity, with other teams who may be looking to acquire him?
If most of us performed the way that he has at our jobs, we wouldn’t have a job anymore.
Yes JG shouldn’t have let this drag out but for someone who has been considered to be an irreplaceable leader in the locker room, he’s shown that he is anything but. No one is saying that he should be happy about the rumors, but it doesn’t excuse the way he’s been performing.
What a false equivalency to promote the duties of a professional athlete as on par with any generic job. I don't know about you, but if I told my boss my work is suffering because a few of my friends got transferred, it wouldn't go over too well.
And unless something is going on in Zuccarello's life besides having his friends traded away and the organization going through a rebuild, you can take the self-awareness comment and shove it. His responses and play this season is more on par with how a pee-wee player should be reacting to this situation.
TheTakedown
Puck is Life
- Jul 11, 2012
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Listen that isn't bad for the Rangers... $1.9M for this year and next year, nets you a 2019 4th rounder from Edmonton + and 2020 4th rounder when you trade him next deadline
Ghost of jas
Unsatisfied
Your last sentence is a bit of revisionist history. There were plenty of posters that wanted Zuccarello here and re-signed, and even pushed for him to be named captain because of how integral he was to the locker room. None of this was a foregone conclusion with many posters here. @Webster was not a lone voice on this matter.
As for the ‘athletes are humans, too’ refrain, yes they have to cope to with bad days, too. And, I do not begrudge anyone making as much money as they possibly can. But, do not expect me to have a hint of sympathy over these kind of matters. I don’t have the opportunity to share a lot of the experiences that professional athletes have. Lose a spouse or child? You have my deepest sympathies. Have to change locations because of a trade? Not really.
Jeff Gorton wants to acquire more youth. They want more than one first round pick. The Rangers have one first round pick in this next draft. The TB pick is conditional on them winning the Cup.
Gorton isn’t getting a 1st for Zuccarello. He can get a 1st for Hayes. Is that enough for Gorton? The TB #1 would be #31 overall. One pick away from a 2nd.
The only other players who can bring the Rangers a #1 in the trade are Zibanejad and Kreider.
Gorton doesn’t want to ice a bad team on purpose. The monstrosity he has playing right now sucks.
Continue losing games.
Gorton isn’t getting a 1st for Zuccarello. He can get a 1st for Hayes. Is that enough for Gorton? The TB #1 would be #31 overall. One pick away from a 2nd.
The only other players who can bring the Rangers a #1 in the trade are Zibanejad and Kreider.
Gorton doesn’t want to ice a bad team on purpose. The monstrosity he has playing right now sucks.
Continue losing games.
Definitely looks like when they sat MacTruck. Imagine if Hayes torn his knee as final details on trade are in the works.
I'd sniff around with both Zib and Krieds..imagine 6 picks in the top 60 plus some A prospects.
NYR Viper
Registered User
It just seems odd as on Bleeding Blueshirts they mentioned he hurt himself against Nashville. That was Dec 29th. He played on the 31st and 2nd.
I think we have already seen Kevin Hayes' last game in a Ranger uniform. I also think that may be part of the reason for this skid we are seeing. Guys know they gave it their all and have come up short and the selling will soon commence.
Ghost of jas
Unsatisfied
Exactly. I’ve had to change jobs numerous times in my life, sometimes of my own choice, sometimes not so much. People have moved in and out of my professional life too many times to count. I find this type of behavior rather immature. If that makes me heartless, so be it. I have more important things in my life to be truly concerned about.
I don’t think so.
He was playing through something and couldn’t take it anymore. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back tomorrow in an act of desperation.
Still think we have at least a month before we start to see guys moved, if not longer.
Off Sides
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- Sep 8, 2008
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I think if any legitimate futures are offered, all of them will be gone by their respective deadlines.
Ghost of jas
Unsatisfied
eco's bones
Registered User
I don't know if I agree altogether with this. What I do think is whatever return we'd get back for him is not going to be great. I think the Rangers need to get that list from him nonetheless if only to have the process of trading him in play. On a deeper team Shatty could be protected from certain situations and if a team thinks he can help their power play which is a big deal in playoff situations there might be interest. IMO a 2nd rounder and a plus which is less than what we gave up for Brendan Smith would be an acceptable return. If we retain salary--a 2nd and a good prospect. I think if we don't ask for a 1st we'll have a fairly decent chance of moving him.
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