Quote:
Originally Posted by Buff
Drinking and partying have been a thing in the NHL for decades. Just because today's generation is more dedicated to physical fitness doesn't mean that drinking still doesn't happen. Of course it does. It's only a big issue if it affects the player's on-ice performance and we have no clue if that's the problem with any player who isn't performing as we want them to. So it's silly to speculate about this garbage.
|
I actually get what you are saying, but I believe you are taking the wrong approach. You are essentially taking an innocent until proven guilty approach to the "partying" (which I agree is rampant in NHL players of that age group. Until you can for sure prove the partying is what is impacting the play, party on Garth..........
This isn't a court of law, and IMO it doesn't work like that. If Gaudreau wants to rip it up all the time, he better be playing well, then me as a fan, or me if I were his coach and management group would simply turn a blind eye to it (assuming they don't think he needs help for a major addiction). You earn your right not to have your "behaviours" questioned on any job. For example, I don't hassle any of my people at work for being a little late or leaving a little early.....as long as they are effective and get their #### done. If you aren't able to get your #### done well, and you are also shaving time out of your day, I'm going to strongly suggest you make sure you get in on time and stay as late as you need to.
Same will apply to Johnny. If are playing effective hockey, I don't care what you do off the ice. But if you are underachieving consistently, which he is, it's actually Johnny's responsibility to make sure his off ice behaviour isn't impacting his play, or even just can't be perceived as impacting his play. Showing up on time for practice, meeting team commitments and being as prepared as possible are table stakes for any player who isn't meeting potential. Johnny might not be struggling because of partying (but for the record I at the very least think it's a decent chunk of the problem), but until he turns it around, he hasn't earned the right to not be as prepared as possible, from the fans, the coaches or his team mates. Not like we struggled without the guy tbh.