Quote:
Originally Posted by Monahammer
I understand the disdain for Nail, but I can't help think of him as a great tragedy. He did have a good rookie season, 31 points and 17 goals in 48 games. But Edmonton chewed him up, ground down his confidence, and spit him right out. He has never looked the same since getting just pummeled into the dirt by local media, fans, and the organization. I honestly think his confidence was completely robbed and will never be rebuilt.
Have to wonder if he would have turned out better elsewhere. I think he'd at least still be in the league as a middle six contributor.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FBI
And then you remember how entitled Burke said he was in the interviews and then you don’t feel so bad for him anymore.
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A little from column A and a little from column B.
He had a big head for sure and I wouldn't be surprised if he told the Oilers that he would only play for them if he was guaranteed to be in the NHL.
But his career could have gone in a different direction if he landed with a different organization. The Oilers are the last place a player with entitlement issues should go to mature. They fed right into his ego.
He was a beast in junior. He wasn't just an offensive player and hit everything that moved. Then he went to the Oilers where they handed him the keys gave him no instructions.