Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
What do you think is wrong with Elias.
17 points in 37 games.
I say that not to poke fun. I'm a big fan of him. I thought he was going to be emerging right into the tier of best young players in the game alongside Jack Hughes, and others.
instead he's just taken a massive step back and I can't figure out why.
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There are a lot of rumours out there about some personal life things he's battling right now. But if we are going to assume those are just rumours, his slump just isn't totally shocking and I think he did #### himself this off-season. Holding out after having an already extended time off after his previous season was shortened by the covid stoppage. He played barely any hockey over almost two full years. And coming out from his injury, by all accounts (including his own) put way too much focus into building a social media profile instead of getting everything back to working order. He's a player who relies on instincts and slick puck skills and an extended time off can dull both of those. I think he came in and couldn't keep up or play at a level he wanted and now his confidence is shot. I think the bigger issue is he just doesn't have that doggedness for the puck that he did in his first seasons.