Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
Johnny is having a down year. 99 points to 69 points isn't ideal sure but Skinner has never even come all that close to 69.
Iginla had the following year-by-year declines in his career:
96 to 67
89 to 69
86 to 67
It happens to everyone.
|
Did Iginla ever stop competing for pucks? Because I don't remember that from his career.
This is only a "down year" for Johnny if he can actually ever rebound.
How do we know that "down year" is more likely than "beginning of a career downhill slide"? If Johnny isn't doing the only things that make him successful then he may never rebound. He's scared to compete for pucks. He's passing regularly into the opponents skates instead of to his teammates. He's not beating defensemen as regularly as he did in the past.
The "down year" narrative is a comforting one. It will only be the truth if Johnny actually rebounds. I'm not sure Treliving will give him the chance with us.
This was a big prove it year for Johnny after how he and Monahan played in the playoffs. IMO he's failed the test completely. I think his play will force Treliving to move him. You can't build around a player who is scared to compete in puck battles.
Time will tell.