Rob Neidermeyer.
Definition of whipping boy differs personally for me. For me, it's players that should be better that what they are, more underachivers, given previously stats, proven skills, and no longer worth what their contract is valued at. Or, over valued by fans.
So guys like Anders Eriksson, who was forced to play with Phaneuf because the Flames really didn't have anyone better, isn't a whipping boy, as he was put in a situation that was over his skill set. Other players also disliked, fall into this category like Petr Buzek, Zuzyin, etc.
A guy like Reichel was a whipping boy for me becuase his disappeared in playoffs (Huselius too) after a good regular season. Derek Morris could've won, and been in constant contention for, a Norris, if he had even one ounce of motivation to work in offseasons over and above his natural talent.
But yes, in general Vernon was a fan whipping boy for his supposed 5 hole.
Leeman and Stajan simply because of the semi hype those guys got nationally as Leafs, and, as they were part of trades the fans didn't like.
Neidermeyer in the early 2000s given his salary.
Turek because he had one bad game and idiot fans booed him off the ice.
Bourque too because he was maddening. Had a lot skil and made some things looked easy but next shift he would make mistakes that 7 year olds wouldn't.
Brouwer I would say more than Neal, as most of us expected Neal to break out offensively given his very recent history. Brouwer had no chance of that offensive breakout, so even if he played as well as he could it wouldn't have changed minds.
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