I don’t care if EP is Swedish. I don’t care that his head is too big for his body.
He says he cares and I’m sure he does.
But there is nothing to me that suggests that he has the same drive or passion of a Miller or Hughes.
Those two would be f***ing livid and push harder to get through their struggles.
EP just seems to plod along with either the expectation it will sort itself out or just a complete lack of “gives a f***” to the level needed.
Yes, he’s been saddled with primarily shit wingers that I’m sure is defeating.
But he’s also paid to be the catalyst and drive the line. He currently does not do this to anywhere near the extent he did when he first broke into the league.
Fantastic player, especially when he’s on.
But that’s few and far between lately and he’s paid to be one. That’s why people are frustrated because they know he can be better.
It’s entirely possible he is/was dealing with an injury and it’s completely impacted his mental game.
But him, the coaching staff and mgmt need to figure out whatever the hell is need to work through it.
Because just giving him time to do it on his own isn’t working.
Put him on the Lotto line FT right now.
Screw the depth.
Because right now the team is facing down a barrel and they need significant changes.
for those of us thats been long time fans. Its fair to say that Swedes just have a different demeanor than the canadians and americans that we are used to. You rarely get a rar rar Mackinnon, Messier type player where everyone on ice and in the nosebleeds knows how they are feeling.
Generically speaking, Swedes, Naslund, Ohlund, Sedins, Markstrom, Edler, even Gradin Arvidsson Sundstrom..... they dont like to call attention to themselves. There are outliers ....like Lack. But its in their national psyche. Expecting them to SHOWCASE they care is not really fruitful. They show it in their hustle and more nuanced way on ice. Critique their play on ice in a chat forum, but when it comes to demeanor in their body language, there are other factors to consider like culture and/or personal stuff.
Hes
on enough as recently as January when he was the third star of the month. and scored like 4 straight GWGs. I think the frustration of this fanbase is leading to a lot of hottakes on an elite player that any team would love to have, playing in only his second post season.
those expecting Willander and Lekkerimaki to "DRAG THE TEAM TO VICTORY" in a visceral way some day should temper their expectations early.