i agree with this and the highlighted is most certainly the biggest reason why Kuzmenko was moved. Tocc wanted buy in and you can bet your ass that Kuzmenko and the Bali shenanigans while others were busting their asses to get better last off season didn't sit well.
Hi literally signed a 11million dollar contract and went partying for his summer and the proof was in his play conditioning and effort. Tocchet was pissed because he warned of that before he left even.
The fact he was having a terrible season while the team was dragging him along and he was becoming unplayable in Tocchets system for months was the final nail. Has nothing to do with what Kuzmenko is capable of. The Flames got a hell of an offensive player for free essentially because of the timing and a fractured trust/relationship
It's really too bad for Pettersson as he had a winger with enough talent that the 2 would drive a top6 line together now he's stuck with a energy player and a checker. For the Flames it was a free gift and absolutely he can improve his defending/decision making to be a top player. Will he is the question
Great trade for the Flames as they get some really interesting high end potential but it's also been exactly what Van hoped for from a deadline deal since Lindholm has stepped up big in this playoffs and without him during Pettersson's struggles we would be toast....hoping they can find a way to retain him EL is a fantastic 2 way player.
No one ever said grown men can't be petty. Kuz simply wasn't afforded the same rope that others were, made it look real personal. His struggles weren't unique.
It's not like the rest of the team didn't vacation.. we had guys out duning in Dubai at the same time this past year. Heck I don't think EP lifted anything heavier than a bud light in his first few offseasons here.
They all toned down on the posting, but you can get a good feel for whos training via their instagrams. Kuz actually looked to work out too much. Looked more like a body builder than a hockey player to start the year.
Still, the management has to own it. They saw what the team was like before Kuz, there was heaps of warning signs about EP and the PP when Kuz ended up in the dog house. Even after the trade when the scoring fell off a cliff, there was ample time before the deadline to make another move. The list of players on this team with near zero, or actually zero goals since the invention of the wheel is comical.
Luckily they drew Nashville, but damn that was close. One less coat of paint on the posts, and this could have been a disaster. Thankfully Skinner looks like a beer leaguer too.
Ultimately, we upgraded our 3rd line, and PK, at the expense of the 2nd line and PP. Pick your poison. Bizarre this is even controversial. Then again, it's the same group that predicted a bubble team at best, and clamored to offload Miller + Hogs pre-season.