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Yzerman working in silence is nothing new. While the GM tracks playoff performances, watches international competitions, convenes with amateur scouting and talks with GMs, there are more irons in the fire than can possibly be calculated at this point. There was a “rumor” out there that if Florida is bounced early by Tampa, coach Q could be headed to Seattle. Panthers ownership reported -29K in operating revenue last year and could be looking to shed dollars. For those of you who love trade scenarios, give that roster a quick once over.
Edmonton is in an unenviable spot of being down 2-0. Washington is down 3-1. Toronto had an impressive win yesterday so the series is tied 1-1. If, for whatever reason, Montreal wins that series there could be some sort of light house keeping. Soon enough teams will drop out of the post season and some will be considering fairly significant changes in terms of reducing cost. We’ve talked a lot about this, but it’s taken a back burner while the game is starting to look more “normal” as fans are entering the arenas more and more.
With the financial losses pressuring for changes in some franchises, there is a completely different catalyst that could see even bigger moves. There are player who seem to be completely disenfranchised, and have lost their game to some degree. Of course, Patrik Laine is the first name I think of. A player who scored 36 goals his rookie year, 44 the next, 30, then 28, and in this shortened season managed just 12. Take away his best year and his worst, and you’re looking at a perennial 30 goal scorer. That’s a high water mark in the league.
The problem is what happens when the goals aren’t there. Even at 6’5”, the Finnish Phenom seems to disappear on the ice. You can see it in his eyes and his body language. When his game is off, it’s way off internally. Unfortunately, that is one part of the hockey machine that is still under served. We’re building athletes that are faster, stronger, better conditioned and have stats and programs for every part of physical development. But, when the issues are internal, mental for instance, players seem to be largely on their own.
You’ll hear the frustration, “I’ve always worked my way through slumps, so I just have to work harder”. Then, a player gets demoted or scratched because someone else is having a better showing on the ice. Some players rise to the challenge, and some just continue to internalize and fall apart.
Some of you know, I’ve dealt with mental health issues for most of my adult life. A head injury has exacerbated every problem that was already there. Chronic pain and depression apparently share a similar spot in the brain. When both are going, it’s absolutely overwhelming. The addiction to pain killers (in any form, not just prescriptions) becomes treatment not just for the pain but for the mental anguish. Players who in recon net years succumbed to their depression were found to have been taking hundreds of high level narcotics in just a couple days. It’s a scary place, and count yourself lucky if you’ve never been there.
Apart from the game itself, players (and human beings in general) are much less “community” oriented. After some of the young prospects win a world championship, they’ll be in the locker room texting (sitting next to each other and not speaking). The “family” part of the room is disappearing. From a younger and younger age, we all have a private universe that feels full but is isolated from any real human contact. The “team” part of the sport used to be part of the therapy. It was the thing players missed most after retirement. COVID has further strained that dynamic where players weren’t even allowed to congregate in groups of more than 2 or 3. Isolation at home, in the hotels, etc.
The three parts of internal stress/depression, physical pain and isolation are an immense and destructive force. It takes very little for someone to derail with all of that going on. And, consequently, takes a great deal of help to find their way back. It’s on the shoulders of the individual to create a healthy environment to recharge, reset, renew. It’s not easy.
For players that can’t get out of their head (and people in general) you have to learn to find help. Finding someone to be “vulnerable” with gets increasingly more difficult as your situation is considered high profile. Make the wrong decision, and your life can get much worse. It’s my sincere hope that teams would include one mandatory mental health session with a certified therapist during training camp for each player and staff member. At least an introduction where the player/staff can get a phone number or email to reach out to when things get difficult. Realistically, once a month would probably be far more effective.
I’ve been in therapy for years. It’s not fun. Sometimes, it’s embarrassing to have to deal with. COVID complicated that a bit, until virtual visits got a bit more streamlined. Sometimes just having a professional help you do an inventory, lay it all out, can help you to find a solution that was hiding in plain sight. Sometimes, there are deep issues that will take a long time to learn to manage. Some of these players are still kids in so many ways. They’ve lived a life engulfed in hockey since they were as young as 4. As the complications of life seep in at the NHL level, many just can’t handle it. More than helping a player find their game, the depression rates as people leave the game are through the roof. I’d recently learned that the divorce rate is about 75% for players after they retire. Once the game is gone, there’s nothing else there and they have to learn a completely new reality.
I know this isn’t a fun read, (it’s not a fun write up) but it’s an issue that comes to the surface more often than it used to. The players (and people in general) need to be shown a path to deal with the mental side of life. with the right nudge, players can find their game again. Beyond that, they can have tools to be able to function when this brief career is over. Depression and frustration is showing up more and more as teams are exiting their seasons. Some of these players could have an outstanding return if they can work through some of the stress/pressure that has shut them down. It would be a great step forward to see more and more of them get that help.
Well, what are your thoughts? Have you seen mental issues shut down players? Is this a genuine concern, or just an overreach by a blogger on a slow day of news? Look, I’m very open to the fact that this issue is much more prevalent in my thinking than in the thinking of others. If I”m way off, let me know. It’s part of the process.
Check out my previous blogs:
Yzerman working in silence
Cholowski has coffee with Carly
Bernier would like an extension, and Berggren has signed his ELC.
Eemil Viro has signed his ELC, but Petruzzelli may walk.
The Yzerman Press Conference
Blashill was extended, and a mock draft has Wings picking a goalie at #6
Roster turnover
Albert Johansson playing for team Sweden
Are you rooting for former Wings Players in the playoffs?
Thanks for a great season
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