Are you kidding? That is completely irrelevant. Who the #$@!@ cares that he is one of "us." I never understand why it's so damn important to some people that this player or that player is a hometown boy. I couldn't care any less about where a guy is from as long as he is doing his job. News flash: Parise didn't rush right over just to sign here, because he's a Minnesotan who had this great master plan to return home to save this team. BS! The fact that he's from here shouldn't even be mentioned when it comes to why a player should be wearing a "C."
Like others have already said. Some are putting way too much emphasis on the letter. It's not stopping Parise and anyone else from stepping in that lockerroom and trying to turn the ship around. And yet, nobody....NOBODY has stepped up to get control of the situation. Not even Parise. He's been great on the ice. But we have no voice in that room right now, which is sad because ANY player can step up and take control. But nobody has. You could get rid of the C and the A's altogether, and we'd still be in this #$@!storm right now.
I agree. The letters mean nothing at this point. It is something else. I can't stand the Koivu hate. This locker room is a mess trying to put things together right now. Stripping letters would do more harm than good imo.
I had a thought that maybe a lot of the players have put too much pressure on themselves and it's gotten into their heads.
Parise- His father is sick. He's been great but it probably weighs heavily on him.
Vanek- Is he fitting in? Is he putting too much pressure on himself or did we swing and miss on him all together?
Granlund- Due for a new contract. Is he over thinking it?
Coyle- Too much pressure on himself to justify a 5 year extension?
Haula- Sophomore slump. Too much pressure on himself to shine after a great playoffs?
Darcy- Him getting rattled is a huge problem. Maybe this short break gets him in the right mindset. If not, a sports psychologist needs to be brought in asap.
These players and everyone else needs to put the personal goals aside and just play their game we know they are capable of. The character of the team is going to be tested big time coming out of the Christmas break. Will they continue to struggle? Are they just not as good as we thought? Or will they step it up and show us what we know they can do?
As far as trades, we need a bottom pairing Dman. Prosser is hot garbage and should have no place on a team that wants to be seen as elite. The goalie situation is what it is. We need one of them to string a few good games together. Hopefully that motivates the other and we can get on a run. We're 9 games from the midway point. They need to go 6-3 or better to be on a 94 point pace. With how bad it's been i'd be comfortable with that pace knowing they certainly can improve.
