Quote:
Originally Posted by MegaErtz
From the sounds of it, Markstrom is perfectly happy to collect a paycheck and continue to play for us. He's very, very unlikely to win a Stanley Cup here. Give me someone with a real desire to win. As much as I hate the way Tkachuk left, you have to admire his ambition. He knew he'd never win anything here, and wasn't afraid to say that on his way out the door. We just don't have a winning culture. Fans are happy to hear their goalie has a happy home life, and don't care too much about winning.
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The second you sign a guy to a NTC or NMC it shows he wants a level of stability for himself or his family. I have no problem with that. But if you believe the premise that that shows a lack of commitment to winning (which I disagree on, as you can have both a desire to win and stability), it's on the team and executive who signed him. No matter what their salary is, and certainly there's a level of professionalism someone making millions has to perform, if the team signed someone to a NTC/NMC, it's purely on the team if they're stuck with him. That's not a Markstrom statement, that's anyone. You have to do your due diligence as to where the persons commitments lie, and if they want some level of stability then you're accepting some risk. That's why signing anyone long term after about 27 is a risk because after partying and doing stuff that young athletes do, some want to settle down. Add to that bodies breaking down and whatnot and you're accepting some risk.
I disagree with Brian Burke's blowhard approach though. He used to say if you signed a player to a NTC/NMC he wouldn't approach them about asking them to waive. Well, what about if it may be a better opportunity or a life situation that may benefit them and the team?
Anyway, back to Markstrom, I don't agree with the assertion he lacks commitment to winning. We all have jobs, and some of us will run through a wall for a company, while others know our limitations (I'm in the latter half). Some people talk a big game (the linkedin folks) while others just go about doing their business. I suspect Markstrom is committed to his family and leaves the BSing for others to do about their commitment to hockey. It's just a sport, why should he care so much at the expense of his personal life? Why should any of us?