Wouldn't surprise me if Kassian is back to drinking again. Doesn't look as lean as last year
edit: Actually nevermind. Bad assumption by me
edit: Actually nevermind. Bad assumption by me
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Next, George Laraque story. In short a guy that got to the NHL by being the meanest toughest hombre that could knock somebodies head off with a punch. A guy that would fight a lot to get to the show. But at some point George became uncomfortable with the role, reflected a lot on the damage he was doing, started to be more and more a gentleman fighter only going if the other guy accepted going and pretty much saying **** like "are you sure"?
George got to the point where his discomfort with the role increased so much that the Oilers, and George were trying to make him into a player. Given a choice he didn't want to fight anymore. George was a great guy, perfect gentleman, and had a heart and a conscience. At some point he couldn't live in his skin doing things the same ways. Not that he was trying to avoid his job, or not being a hard worker. George would haul the Zamboni around the ice if the engine wasn't running.
George was sober, to my knowledge wasn't somebody with substance issues but at one point he had a huge chip on his shoulder, even some hate, and fighting was an outlet for that. When George continued to be a healthy person, and with NHL salary, less issues, concerns, he lost the edge, he became a different person. You could pretty much drag that bull to the ring and he didn't want to go anymore. It wasn't who he was anymore.
I just post this because theres a bit of parallels in all NHL toughs that one day find themselves. Lucic might be experiencing some of this as well. Its harder and harder for Lucic to get angry and it happens less often. Its hard even for the toughest, meanest, gunslingers to keep firing that gun. Its the Billy the Kid type syndrome. You reach a point where you'd rather get shot because you can't do it anymore.
food for thought
Good for him. Hope we see him playing up to his abilities again next season. We badly need it.
Hi Zack! Haven’t seen you since the Sharks series! Congratulations!
- every Oilers fan
Maybe his poor play was because his fiancee was a pain in the ass to deal with on the details of the wedding. Could've worn the poor man down.
That shirt looks normal to most men, but I bet his fiancee had him look at 10 shirts that are very similar. Only a women could tell the difference in them
The Oilers would be ill-advised to trade Kassian. The return wouldn't be much and the Oilers need his speed and toughness. I suspect he has a bounce-back season.
I see him at Harvey’s all the time. I can confirm he was on the cheeseburgers.Wouldn't surprise me if Kassian is back to drinking again. Doesn't look as lean as last year
edit: Actually nevermind. Bad assumption by me
I think for guys like Kassian and Lucic, it's tough to get engaged in the play and play a mean game if the team is floundering. It's tough to act all confident and mean when your team is getting smashed. Kassian will be back (I never thought he left personally) with a vengeance if this team can give him something to work with.
I think they can play mean if the team is floundering as you put it. However, when the PK is complete and utter garbage I think mentally you now are careful as taking the penalty more than likely hurts your team.I think for guys like Kassian and Lucic, it's tough to get engaged in the play and play a mean game if the team is floundering. It's tough to act all confident and mean when your team is getting smashed. Kassian will be back (I never thought he left personally) with a vengeance if this team can give him something to work with.
i think the biggest contributing factor with Kassian having a bad year was our horrendous penalty kill.
Kass couldn't play his game for fear of getting a penalty. With a PK running at historic lows he probably was reined in a bit by the coaching staff also.
If we can kill penalties at a league average Kassian can start running around and stiring the pot which will also get him into the game more. This will get opponents off their game and him on his game.
I think for guys like Kassian and Lucic, it's tough to get engaged in the play and play a mean game if the team is floundering. It's tough to act all confident and mean when your team is getting smashed. Kassian will be back (I never thought he left personally) with a vengeance if this team can give him something to work with.