We can debate the logic of the Trotz move forever. I'd like the latitude to view it emotionally.
Why are there so many "problem" players for us, usually highly skilled but don't buy in to our "identity", who go to other teams and excel? (ex. Rads / Fiala / Duchene).
I'm tired of watching ex-preds succeed. The Stars with Suter, Smith, and Duchene. The Kings with Fiala and Arvy. Seattle with Tolvy. The Avs with Girard.
I know, not all those guys are great, but they're all better than what we replaced them with. Yes there were circumstances surrounding their exits that we didn't create (ex. Suter), but the fact remains. We had talented players who ended up succeeding after they left us. We couldn't or wouldn't find a way to retain them.
And what's been our reward? We've maintained the purity of our "identity". We've purged the locker room of the "problems".
Since 2017, Identity = LOSING. If the prized identity, we cherish so greatly, led to success, then by all means, purge the heretics. But that's not what happens. We end up with admirable players who do their best, but they aren't good enough. And we multiple these types. It's not enough to have a Sissons. We have to also have Smith, and McC, and Sherwood, and Janky.
Trotz is about to do it again to Askarov. You listen to people instead the organization and the fix is in. Askarov HAS the talent but he's "immature". Saros is the type of person we admire. Shuts up. Does his job. Works hard. Overcomes his lack of size. Plus, he's "elite". New definition of Elite for the 2023-2024 Season = 30th in Save % and 30th in Goals Against Average. Career playoff series won = Blutarsky-esque 0.0.
I like Saros. I think he's a Top 10-to-15 goalie over the last 4 years. But he's peaked and we're about to marry him for another 7 years and move Askarov, who can't wait 7 years.
Is Askarov great? Not yet. What's his ceiling? High. Higher than Saros. What's his floor? Low. Could implode due to his "immaturity".
But the bottom line is, Trotz loves players like Saros and doesn't trust players like Askarov. It just so happens that everyone this organization doesn't trust or feels like doesn't buy in, is talented.
Maybe the reason they all don't buy in is because what they're selling doesn't work.
OK, that was an emotional rant. My logical side disagrees with my emotional side. I love Barry Trotz. Barry is actually a friend. We're not best buds but we've worked together on a few projects and I talk to him now and then. There is no better human being. I want him to be right, and my emotions to be wrong. I'm just getting old and I'm running out of "next year's". I'm Day One, been to almost every game for 25 years, and watched our uncanny inability to recognize, draft, develop, or trade for, dynamic Top 6 forwards. #9 is one of the few exceptions but that credit goes to Martin Erat. Had he not demanded a trade deadline trade, Poile never would have moved him and we would be marveling at Forsberg' Washington career.
Why are there so many "problem" players for us, usually highly skilled but don't buy in to our "identity", who go to other teams and excel? (ex. Rads / Fiala / Duchene).
I'm tired of watching ex-preds succeed. The Stars with Suter, Smith, and Duchene. The Kings with Fiala and Arvy. Seattle with Tolvy. The Avs with Girard.
I know, not all those guys are great, but they're all better than what we replaced them with. Yes there were circumstances surrounding their exits that we didn't create (ex. Suter), but the fact remains. We had talented players who ended up succeeding after they left us. We couldn't or wouldn't find a way to retain them.
And what's been our reward? We've maintained the purity of our "identity". We've purged the locker room of the "problems".
Since 2017, Identity = LOSING. If the prized identity, we cherish so greatly, led to success, then by all means, purge the heretics. But that's not what happens. We end up with admirable players who do their best, but they aren't good enough. And we multiple these types. It's not enough to have a Sissons. We have to also have Smith, and McC, and Sherwood, and Janky.
Trotz is about to do it again to Askarov. You listen to people instead the organization and the fix is in. Askarov HAS the talent but he's "immature". Saros is the type of person we admire. Shuts up. Does his job. Works hard. Overcomes his lack of size. Plus, he's "elite". New definition of Elite for the 2023-2024 Season = 30th in Save % and 30th in Goals Against Average. Career playoff series won = Blutarsky-esque 0.0.
I like Saros. I think he's a Top 10-to-15 goalie over the last 4 years. But he's peaked and we're about to marry him for another 7 years and move Askarov, who can't wait 7 years.
Is Askarov great? Not yet. What's his ceiling? High. Higher than Saros. What's his floor? Low. Could implode due to his "immaturity".
But the bottom line is, Trotz loves players like Saros and doesn't trust players like Askarov. It just so happens that everyone this organization doesn't trust or feels like doesn't buy in, is talented.
Maybe the reason they all don't buy in is because what they're selling doesn't work.
OK, that was an emotional rant. My logical side disagrees with my emotional side. I love Barry Trotz. Barry is actually a friend. We're not best buds but we've worked together on a few projects and I talk to him now and then. There is no better human being. I want him to be right, and my emotions to be wrong. I'm just getting old and I'm running out of "next year's". I'm Day One, been to almost every game for 25 years, and watched our uncanny inability to recognize, draft, develop, or trade for, dynamic Top 6 forwards. #9 is one of the few exceptions but that credit goes to Martin Erat. Had he not demanded a trade deadline trade, Poile never would have moved him and we would be marveling at Forsberg' Washington career.
What, cause he had a couple of rough playoff games?
