Quote:
Originally Posted by OldDutch
I think this is something that is being missed to a degree. The Oilers have had character issues for years. Now they have traded character player for sulker. In fact two of them, and one of the handlers is GG.
They may get goals, but this is regression in the area the Oilers most need. Players who don’t fold tent and go home when the going gets tough.
I managed to talk to an ex player recently and they told me room chemistry is probably the most important factor in winning teams. Guys who you know have your back and you have theirs. He said reason most high talent teams that fail is because the players pack up and go home after the game and couldn’t care about the team.
I think Smith cares a lot, but Neal? Dude is a mercenary. So should be interesting to see what happens when things play out.
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Thing with Smith is that he cared so much he couldn't handle the reality of his awful play. Asked even simple, gentle questions, Smith would get out of joint. He could never just say "Yeah man, I was crap tonight, but I'll be better tomorrow." If, and I use the word intentionally, IF he was really like that, I can see it being an issue in the dressing room. A guy letting in 5, 3 of which were bad, sitting in the dressing room and saying "Well, I played good enough, must be an issue with the defense...." would not be super welcome.