Quote:
Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache
Facts aside... Will they both perform adequately with respect to contract numbers, to the satisfaction of the ambulance chaser type trade proposers on CP?
Whipping boys happen.
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Whiners gonna whine
Blamers gonna blame
Haters gonna hate
Complainers gonna complain
Undoubtedly there will be whipping boys. Game threads are fuelled by fans who like to shriek out their overreactions. Some people love fixating on one play or one mistake and blowing it out of proportion.
Stone will make a good whipping boy for some because there are some fans out there who don't really value what he's good at (playing physical along the boards and in front of the net) and only value things he's not as good at (puck moving and skating). His salary will help their dislike of him. He's probably the most prime candidate to be hated on by a small segment on this board and we've already seen evidence of this. They won't give him credit for consistently wiping guys out along the boards or clearing the net. But they will sure as heck be all over him if he ever coughs up the puck. I mean we saw Engelland be massively undervalued by a small contingent on this site the entire time he was here. Some fans just don't really understand the value of physical, defensive defensemen. Somehow clearing the net isn't a valuable skill even though deflections, tips and rebounds make up the majority of all goals. If you can make sure a guy isn't screening your goalie the other team will have a much harder time of scoring.
Frolik will make a good whipping boy for those that like efficient contracts (usually signed by much younger RFAs) even though his UFA deal was market value. Some fans can't seem to handle the fact that UFAs get paid more and therefore are less efficient. They desire an impossible world where every player on the roster is on an efficient contract which really cannot happen if you ever sign an UFA. Some will undervalue his defensive contributions and smart play because they only credit players with offensive counting stats.
In reality both are useful hockey players. Both have positive trade value. But hyperbole will rule the day for some. Some will call them boat anchors, overpaid, worthless.
It's all too predictable.