Comments on: Reading Between the Lines http://thesportscorner.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/reading-between-the-lines/ Go Big or Go Home Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:40:29 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: thesportscorner http://thesportscorner.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/reading-between-the-lines/#comment-1041 thesportscorner Fri, 30 May 2008 06:59:38 +0000 http://thesportscorner.wordpress.com/?p=338#comment-1041 Well, I'll put it to you like this. He's the captain. I don't see him playing any style of hockey that would want to motivate me or anyone else. There's no heart in his game, and even before the lock out, he was no where in the playoffs. A true sign that when push came to shove, he didn't have what it takes. He never had what it took to take his team to the next level. C Tucker Well, I’ll put it to you like this. He’s the captain. I don’t see him playing any style of hockey that would want to motivate me or anyone else. There’s no heart in his game, and even before the lock out, he was no where in the playoffs. A true sign that when push came to shove, he didn’t have what it takes. He never had what it took to take his team to the next level.

C Tucker

]]> By: nebcanuck http://thesportscorner.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/reading-between-the-lines/#comment-1034 nebcanuck Fri, 16 May 2008 03:35:43 +0000 http://thesportscorner.wordpress.com/?p=338#comment-1034 Wow. Heavy, heavy outcry against Nazzy! I think it may very well be that his time is coming to a close. And I also agree that the coach cannot be blamed for everything. But <i>please</i> don't tell me that management can't be blamed for some, and don't tell me that Naslund is garbage. There are a number of factors here. Firstly, he's now verging on 35. That's old in hockey years. Almost no one gets 100 points again after reaching 35. So he's not a Sakic... we knew that already. But he can still contribute 25 goals a year and that's not half-bad. The other thing is that he has no linemate that works with him. He was very accustomed to playing alongside fellow scorers. That's pretty important. Again, only the elite of the elite manage to score alone. Crosby, he ain't. But the fact that he can get 25 goals without a linemate isn't half bad. Naslund was always well-spoken, particularly in the first year after the lockout when his team was crumbling around him. He still puts in an effort on the ice, and never comes away from a loss looking like he's resting easy. If anything, his spirit has been defeated by witnessing a franchise go down the drain, and his career along with it. He's old. He's past his heyday. And he likely won't see a Cup any time soon in Vancouver, since they're lacking any coherent direction as a club. That, and the fact that he's become a scapegoat, and he has every reason to be giving up on the club. Now, I don't blame the management for everything. In fact, most of all I blame fans and the media for beating up on a guy who's past his prime. The team absolutely should offer him a contract -- $2-3 million a year, just like any other aging star who can chip in 25 goals a year. I'd be quite proud to have him manning the second line and being put into a secondary role behind whatever superstars the new GM can conjure up... that's what a 35-year old is <i>supposed</i> to do! Wow. Heavy, heavy outcry against Nazzy!

I think it may very well be that his time is coming to a close. And I also agree that the coach cannot be blamed for everything. But please don’t tell me that management can’t be blamed for some, and don’t tell me that Naslund is garbage.

There are a number of factors here. Firstly, he’s now verging on 35. That’s old in hockey years. Almost no one gets 100 points again after reaching 35. So he’s not a Sakic… we knew that already. But he can still contribute 25 goals a year and that’s not half-bad.

The other thing is that he has no linemate that works with him. He was very accustomed to playing alongside fellow scorers. That’s pretty important. Again, only the elite of the elite manage to score alone. Crosby, he ain’t. But the fact that he can get 25 goals without a linemate isn’t half bad.

Naslund was always well-spoken, particularly in the first year after the lockout when his team was crumbling around him. He still puts in an effort on the ice, and never comes away from a loss looking like he’s resting easy. If anything, his spirit has been defeated by witnessing a franchise go down the drain, and his career along with it. He’s old. He’s past his heyday. And he likely won’t see a Cup any time soon in Vancouver, since they’re lacking any coherent direction as a club. That, and the fact that he’s become a scapegoat, and he has every reason to be giving up on the club.

Now, I don’t blame the management for everything. In fact, most of all I blame fans and the media for beating up on a guy who’s past his prime. The team absolutely should offer him a contract — $2-3 million a year, just like any other aging star who can chip in 25 goals a year. I’d be quite proud to have him manning the second line and being put into a secondary role behind whatever superstars the new GM can conjure up… that’s what a 35-year old is supposed to do!

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