Quote:
Originally Posted by goaliemaskguy
Some slumping has to be expected for the rookie no? Also, if a slump has 10 points in 12 games, I'm ok with that.
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Not only a rookie, but a college kid.
You see this a ton in the AHL with the college kids. First year, about this time (maybe even January) they hit a wall. They aren't used to the schedule, the number of games played and the speed of the game at the AHL/NHL level. They run out of steam and start making mistakes and just forgetting their game. Hanowski and Jooris did it last year, Van Brabant did it this year. It's just not something they have experienced before and so they aren't prepared properly.
Troy Ward (former Heat Coach) would preach patience to anyone who would listen about college kids and the midpoint of the schedule and play dropping off. Not excuses but understanding that this is the first time they have experienced this level (as CHL is very similar schedule wise to the AHL/NHL) and they will need to readjust and regroup and get back in it. He also helped encourage them. It was a process to be worked through.
Johnny's opportunity for a break was filled by an All-Star Break. So he's played even more hockey. He was bound to hit this wall at some point and it looks like that's what happened. Just need to have a little patience. He is still adjusting to the NHL game. This isn't something he's done before.