I would argue that Raymond is exactly meeting expectations. Provides speed and depth scoring. He has always been and will probably always be a streaky scorer. When he is scoring in bunches, we all think how great he is to have on the team, and when he isn't, he becomes the big whipping boy. I don't think he has done anything above my expectations, or below them.
I do, however, think that local kids playing on the team have it a bit tougher. Much more pressure, and your name can become mud during the dry spells. I think that is one of the reasons it is rumored that Mike Green is not interested in playing in Calgary for instance. It is a tough thing to do, and I would imagine it would also be tough on your family and friends.
Raymond is here for another 2 seasons. By then - unless he magically improves his all-around game - he will be pushed out by other players coming up through the system. He is a depth scoring placeholder at the moment. Nothing more, nothing less. I guess that is why I don't get too bothered by him. I just wish Hartley didn't throw him out on the PP as much as he does - one of the few instances (maybe the only?) that I don't quite agree with what Hartley is doing.
This might be the first season in a long time where I don't think I hate anyone on the team, or think that there is a 'problem' player of sorts, or even just wished someone off the team. I wasn't a fan of the Raymond signing to start with, so perhaps my expectations were lower than other people on here, and explains why I am not really bothered by him?
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