Ownership and Management

[Meds]

"... our players have been directed to approach their training with increased urgency and intensity ..."

I hope that's not all fluff.

I don’t think it is. But I think that he said players (plural) intentionally so as not to publicly single anyone out.

When it comes to the “depth” I don’t know of anyone who showed up having put in a half-assed effort into summer training. Joshua was the only regular in the bottom-6 who it was obvious he wasn’t top top, but he had a very good reason and gets a full pass for this season.

The only guys I’ve heard complaints about the past two seasons have been Pettersson and Hoglander…..the latter was top 2 or 3 when he came back for the 2024 campaign, he got the message.

So yeah, not fluff as far as a statement or direction from management is concerned. But they can’t control what players do in the off-season.

Edit/Addendum…..

Just saw yours Donny. They don’t have the right player(s), and I think that’s why they said that. It’s a shot across the bow, they had to give that direction to one (or more?) of the players (for obvious reasons) and so he’s publicly stating that to cover management’s collective ass.

I’d say they will be indirectly keeping tabs on whichever players that was directed towards over the next 59 days.

[donlever]

Buddy asks for a raise this week.

Sell me I say.

Gives me a long winded story about how hard he works.

Yeahbut...

This
This
This
This
This

....working hard and working smart and working focussed and working for the group and working for the name on the front of the sweater and working on unified goals get you paid.

Management should not be paying full value without full buy in.

If the EP work ethic rumours are true.

Well.

They fucked that one up.

[Meds]

There is no “if” here.

In regards to buy-in and full commitment…..they definitely fucked up.

[donlever]

I try not to be as " blunt on task" as you.

Keeps Jello happier.

[Cornuck]

Essentially though it comes down to the players (one in particular) and how they follow the directing to approach their off-season training with increased intensity and urgency.

That's the part that caught my interest. I hope it's not just hollow words, but a true call to action for these guys. I hope everyone (one in particular®) looks at last year as a lost opportunity to move forward, if not an embarrassment.

[5thhorseman]

Not everyone comes out of the gate a Crosby or a MacKinnon. It's been said on this board that Petterson never had to work hard for anything, he always got by on talent. I'm not sure how true that is as he did work hard on his one-timer the summer prior to season 2 I believe. Hopefully he is still a competitor and wants to win. If so, the rest will fall into place.

[Chef Boi RD]

We were so spoiled with Hank & Dank, you did not need to worry about these two and their off season preparedness, absolute self disciplined machines, respecting their contracts, respecting the organization, respecting the fans but most importantly pride in themselves. I was once telling my plumbing contractor how much work one of my employees was, not wanting to fire him due to how difficult it is finding decent tradesmen. He turned to me and says - “I used to be like you, now? The moment an employee gives me grief, I fire him. I don’t waste my time anymore, you can’t change them…move the fuck on.”

If a player making $11.6 million requires constant monitoring on his commitment level and preparedness for the season “move the fuck on”. They are who they are. Read the fucking tea leaves.

[JelloPuddingPop]

I try not to be as " blunt on task" as you.

Keeps Jello happier.

Don't mind me, keep on keepin' on Eeyores.

[donlever]

Not everyone comes out of the gate a Crosby or a MacKinnon.

Sure.

Crosby and MacKinnon perhaps didn't either.

As a matter of fact it is well discussed that Nate flipped a switch early in his career with respect to diet, exercise and preparation.

Look at him, he's turned himself into a physical beast.

So, our guy.

It is year 8.

Where are we at?

Also.

Great players should be learning from and mirroring great players if they want to be...

...great players.

You think McDavid didn't lean on Crosby?

The Hughes brothers get together with their of age group, top end American counterparts (Caulfield, Norris, Zegras et al) and bust it out every summer.

Many of these guys work out together in the off season.

Push each other.

Assist each other.

A number of them go to the Gary Robert's and Adam Oates of the world to.imporve their fitness and skill levels.

What has our guy been doing the last 7 off seasons?

[donlever]

I try not to be as " blunt on task" as you.

Keeps Jello happier.

Don't mind me, keep on keepin' on Eeyores.

[Cousin Strawberry]

What has our guy been doing the last 7 off seasons?

If you watch one of the last few end of season Tocchet interviews (maybe it was the end of year presser), he (or the interviewer....can't totally recall) noted that Petey had changed offseason training programs from the one he would use earlier in his career. I think originally he trained in Timra but the past 2 had switched to what was referred to (or inferred to) as an inferior, more laid back program somewhere in Stockholm. There was a bit of a look given when it was mentioned lol.

Chuck E Cheese-like training facilities with scooters, video games, those gross Chinese milkshakes with snot chunks and hipster beanies.

[donlever]

Maybe they do need a cash influx.

https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/n ... t-for-sale

[dangler]

We were so spoiled with Hank & Dank, you did not need to worry about these two and their off season preparedness, absolute self disciplined machines, respecting their contracts, respecting the organization, respecting the fans but most importantly pride in themselves. I was once telling my plumbing contractor how much work one of my employees was, not wanting to fire him due to how difficult it is finding decent tradesmen. He turned to me and says - “I used to be like you, now? The moment an employee gives me grief, I fire him. I don’t waste my time anymore, you can’t change them…move the fuck on.”

If a player making $11.6 million requires constant monitoring on his commitment level and preparedness for the season “move the fuck on”. They are who they are. Read the fucking tea leaves.

Eeyore approves

[donlever]

Look what you've done 5th.

[5thhorseman]

What else can you expect from a bunch of reprobates ?

I think originally he trained in Timra but the past 2 had switched to what was referred to (or inferred to) as an inferior, more laid back program somewhere in Stockholm.

Is it just me or does 11.6 need to stay here to train if he's going to be committed. Something about being out of sight in Sweden seems wrong.