Quote:
Originally Posted by Huntingwhale
I also think that Johnny fits the bill of a player who is coasting along with just his talent alone...
Unfortunately Johnny strikes me as that kind of player. Now years after being in the league, it's starting to catch up with him...
|
I'm not disagreeing with you, but last year him coasting (and whatever else might be happening off the ice) resulted in him getting 99 points and finishing fourth in Hart voting. Yes, he cooled off after the All-start break, and struggled in the playoffs, but this is the first year since his rookie year that his results have been average (which, for his standards, is below average).
Whatever it is, I don't think it's something where you can simply flip the switch (i.e. the notion of "effort" or that he'll simply start caring or trying). The player isn't engaged like he used to be and there is probably several reasons contributing to this (not the least of which is the puck is not going into the net, which causes more frustration, and the cycle continues).
I thought he might have turned a corner with this goal on January 11 against Edmonton (starts at 3:08):
Most (positive) emotion he's shown all year. But pretty uninspired since then.