Wrong! I just wanted him to be afforded an opportunity to play with our skilled centers. And considering the fact that Horny was injured for several games and Rust struggled mightily for the first 29 or so games there was ample opportunity to give him a shot with Geno. And it never occurred. That's not a knee jerk reaction at all. Again and for the 58th time, we don't know what Sprong will be, and thanks to his misuse here we won't find out in Pittsburgh.
I honestly don't know how this trade will work out. Early indications are both teams are happy. But the main problem was that we don't what Sprong will be. And that's my issue here. Sully made it impossible to accurately gauge where he was headed.
I'm talking about placing him in a position from which to succeed and for the vast majority of his tenure here he wasn't given that option. If he played with Geno or Sid for even 15 or so games and fell flat on his face then we can at least raise a lot of questions as to whether he was good enough. He didn't get anything remotely close to that. Which I believe was intentional. And the reason why I took a strong stance against this coach.
It's not a knee jerk reaction. Sullys marginalized players before that he didn't like. A pattern has emerged, that's quite the opposite of a ''knee jerk'' reaction. If anyone had a kneejerk reaction it was Sully as it pertains to Sprong because even before the season started Sprong was in the doghouse.
I think the trade is a separate issue to where my angst come from. I like MP thus far, my issue here is how Dear Daniel was treated and shunned. Some allege Crosby hated him. Some believe Sprong was worse than the black plague. I tend to view it slightly different. I think Sully is the new Bylsma who relates to curtain jerkers much more than skilled young players who might have issues with immaturity and ego.
going in to this season we had 3 better RW's than Sprong.
And Horny missed quite a few games, and Rust, let's not forget him, he was terrible for most of the season. So there was room for Sprong to be given an opportunity. Well, if we want to be honest about it.
It was only a few games, but it would have been something. Sprong was already traded the 2nd time Horny got hurt. And he was gone before Simon got hurt, my mistake on that.
Let me ask you something, did Sprong at any point in his time here prior to this season indicate he would be an effective player on the 4th line?
That's just an argument for benching him completely, not for promoting him. Because he also hadn't indicated that he was a more effective player than Horny, Kessel, or Rust.
Wilson was a better 4th liner than Sprong though. That swap was absolutely an upgrade to our 4th line.
Rust was brutal for 29 games. At no point during that time, along with Horny being injured for several games they couldn't find room for Sprong? I mean they had better alternatives? Come on, this was an OBVIOUS attempt to DESTROY Sprong. Sully had no intention of giving this sweet sweet kid a chance. Just call it what it was. Sprong was blackballed.
