Hossa
Registered User
I really have little concern for his off-ice attitude at this age. He's a young kid with a lot of hype and attention, he's likely immature and needs time to grow up and learn to tone down the ego if he has one. A lot of highly touted young hockey players in recent years have seen the same rumours about their off-ice ego, and it's to nobody's benefit. Phil Kessel heard the same rumours, and it sure doesn't sound like that's still the case. Moreover, I think junior hockey players in general would/do come off as full of themselves off the ice. They certainly still did at university playing CIS hockey. But that doesn't mean they play like that, or that they are always like that, or even that you can judge a book by its cover.
What I will say is that from watching McFarland in the OHL, I was concerned about selfish play on the ice. His skill level is undeniable, but for Sudbury he gave up on a lot plays where he didn't have the puck, avoided contact a few times it seemed out of laziness, and was uninterested in his own zone. Admittedly, I was fairly unimpressed with that side of his game, but also remembered he's only 16. I'm just interested to see how next year goes for him.
What I will say is that from watching McFarland in the OHL, I was concerned about selfish play on the ice. His skill level is undeniable, but for Sudbury he gave up on a lot plays where he didn't have the puck, avoided contact a few times it seemed out of laziness, and was uninterested in his own zone. Admittedly, I was fairly unimpressed with that side of his game, but also remembered he's only 16. I'm just interested to see how next year goes for him.