While it is true players as a collective don't tank, do you think individual players may tank?

[SheldonJPlankton]

Management/organizations tank.

You don't willingly trade key players for future picks and prospects unless the goal is to tank.

 

[MuckOG]

No

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Definitely not. As others have said in the thread, players aren't going to potentially sacrifice hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars just to help their organization get a certain player who may end up replacing them.

Some players may not always give 100% effort out of laziness or personal issues, but I don't think that players would actively try to lose a game to manipulate their teams position in the standings.

I think the idea that teams tank is massively overblown. It's super rare for teams to truly tank.

Edit: Also it would be super easy to tell that a player is purposely trying to play below their level or purposely messing up. If they aren't doing their assignments the coaching staff is going to point it out, if they continue to do that it's pretty obvious what's happening.

 

[The Nuge]

A 30 year old on a 2 year deal doesn’t give a crap about a team picking up a prospect that’s likely not even going to make the team in the second year of his deal, and even if he does make the team, isn’t going to make that big of impact. They’ll never tank and risk not getting another contract.

 

[mr figgles]

We get told in every John Gibson is bad thread that he isn’t bad, he just gives up. Is that the same thing?

 

[SENStastic]

Tank intentionally with the deliberate goal of losing games so his team gets a higher pick, almost certainly not. Mailing it in after the team is eliminated from the playoff race and thereby helping them tank and draft higher as a result, definitely. There isn't as much motivation to play your best and put everything on the line if you know you can't make the dance anymore. Some players just mail it in after securing the bag even, regardless of team competitiveness. Contract years are a phenomena for a reason. It's all about motivation for each player, but doubt its ever just because they want the team to draft higher though.

 

[Sorry]

So it's no secret that every player plays with a lot of pride and as a result as a collective refuses to tank even though it'll benefit the team for higher odds at a higher pick. But do you think scenarios where individual players may tank?

For example let's say you were drafted 3rd overall on a bad team and your team continues to be awful in your rookie season. The first overall pick is speculated to be your best friend and junior team mate in this particular draft year. Would it be possible for said player to purposefully play worse to increase his team's odds of drafting 1st overall to pick his bestie?

Then there's also a scenario where once your team is already out of the playoff picture and you happen to face your childhood team that could bubble into the playoffs. Would said player secretly play bad against his childhood team but play competitive against all other teams?

I'll take "People who have never competed at a high level for $100.".

 

[dirtydanglez]

no, a single individual wouldnt be able to have that kind of effect. if you play that poorly compared to your peers you'll get your ice time cut. on top of that there is a lot of financial incentive for a single player to play well.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

At the end of the day players are first and foremost playing for themselves. In this scenario if you're a young guy in his rookie season, you haven't done jack in the league. No one in that situation would purposefully play worse because your stock goes down.

Players who've been around and earned their pay may give subpar efforts if they're not happy with the current situation, but that's not really tanking. Just being frustrated/unmotivated.

 

[jetsforever]

Maybe if they have a longterm contract on a terrible team or if they are trying to stay healthy for a new contract or something
That's more individual than a team thing though

 

[CashMash]

Nope.

In fact, I'd see it as even LESS likely that an individual player would tank over them as a whole. There's both personal pride and asset value (their own) involved. The only thing I could see is players tuning out a coach.

 

[acor]

There were probably some cases where some players purposely played... less than 100% for this or other reason, but there were just it- isolated cases.

Surely no one will purposely play worse, so his team might "tank" to draft some kid who might steal your job, lol...

 

[JPeeper]

If a player ever tried playing with the intent to tank he'd A) be ostracized and shunned by his own team, B) end up being benched and most likely scratched, C) possibly put on waivers. Word would also get around and it'd be pretty hard to get another contract.

Players not giving 100% every game is nothing new, season is long and just like any other job sometimes you just don't want to work. That's not the same as intentionally playing poorly.

 

[Hennessy]

Do they "tank" in terms of hoping the team gets a better draft position? Hell no.
Do they "tank" because they're upset with the coach or the team and are completely checked out in anticipation of going someplace else? Absolutely.

 

[KingsFan7824]

lol, help their favorite childhood team

Next you'll say you really believe any player when he says he's happy to have won the Cup for all the great and random fans of the franchise he happens to wear the logo of.

 

[ShootIt]

No, I don't think any player plays bad to tank for a draft pick/best friend.

I do think some players make business decisions depending on contract and when the season is way out of reach.
Go into the board with a Chara like player over a loose puck or just float there to avoid contact?

 

[tfong]

Nope, can't see players doing it. Only the org would want them to do it.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

It's not a union gig where seniority matters. Guys definitely don't get up for every game as much as coaches would prefer but nobody is actively sucking for a better draft pick because that's an infusion of talent into the work force that is going to actively take money away from you.