Quote:
Originally Posted by Hackey
Still don't see how that is any worse than Kesler or Spezza demanding trades. Bail on my teammates and organization as soon as the going gets a little tough...
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The thing is though, he was not bailing on a team because the "going got tough". At the time, TB was a bonafide playoff threat, and had it not have been for an injury to Ben Bishop, would almost have certainly not seen their post-season expire in four games.
St Louis did not demand a trade because he wanted the chance to win. St Louis demanded a trade because his feelings were hurt by what he perceived to be an egregious oversight and a personal slight on the part of Hockey Canada and his boss, Steve Yzerman. It's ridiculous because of what eventually transpired: St Louis was a candidate to play in the Olympics three times, and saw that opportunity realised twice. In both Olympic tournaments in which he participated, he was practically a non-factor. He is the proud owner of a gold medal today not because he was one of the best players on the team, but because he just happened to be a utility player on a truly great team. This all happened before his demand for a trade.
So, I can overlook Spezza and Kesler's demands for wanting to win. It's tough to equate that to St Louis who appears to have had his feelings hurt, and responded in an "I'll show them" sort of infantile reaction.