Jeremy Laura: Yzerman’s candor and Blashill’s concern

I’m not as worried about a long break for established players as I am for young players and prospects.

It’s not like the 2012 lockout where they were still playing in their respective leagues.

And while injuries can be debilitating we have seen what lengthy ones that keep players out of play can do to their development

I’m not as worried about a long break for established players as I am for young players and prospects.

It’s not like the 2012 lockout where they were still playing in their respective leagues.

And while injuries can be debilitating we have seen what lengthy ones that keep players out of play can do to their development
- RedC21

It’s a good point. Lafreniere is apparently exploring some overseas options with NHL opt out. If an 18 year old is thinking in that vein, it would stand to reason that several other players have at least thought about it.

Did you expect a player to say..."yeah I'm cool with 9 months off. I can hang out with my family. We bought a new cottage on the lake so it should be fun".

Like of course they are going to say they wish they could play. But a team like Montreal who goes to camp for a couple weeks and then gets eliminated in 3-4 games and then gets 5 more months off is not really that much better off. That little 3 or 4 game series is going to be a distant memory by December.

This is going to be like the lockout. Some guys will privately rent out arenas and stay in shape. Free agents may find work in Europe. But it's a challenge that many teams face, not just these 7 who miss the playoffs. These comments from players wishing they could play prove nothing. Wait until December, you'll hear comments from players across the league speaking about the long layoff.

Great blog as usual sir. I think this process is needed and I am very curious to see where Yzerman goes. He's got a lot of space and now time to play with and I don't expect a huge improvement in team performance next year. But I'm hoping he clears out some of the garbage to make space for those players wanting more minutes.

As far as Blash goes, I'm really curious how long he is kept. Like I've posted before, his roster management, as weak as the roster is, was a real struggle to watch this past season. I saw them in person and it was a terribly frustrating process to sit through. You could see where they had momentum, then it would just be taken away... Plenty of replacement options. I'm curious to see who replaces him.

Good of you to find something to write about in this time of forced house arrest. It has to be a struggle in such a time of uncertainty. The world has to get moving again despite this, and if not more violence will most likely happen.
It is a courageous act to reopen and face all the naysayers. I am not a fan of Bettman, but this is one instance I hope he succedes.
I pray all goes well with this plan, and that it pushes all of us to overcome our fear. To those that wish to stay home, please do. To those that venture back into the world, wear the mask when necessary, wash your hands very often and be courteos and cautious. God speed to all!

Great blog as usual sir. I think this process is needed and I am very curious to see where Yzerman goes. He's got a lot of space and now time to play with and I don't expect a huge improvement in team performance next year. But I'm hoping he clears out some of the garbage to make space for those players wanting more minutes.

As far as Blash goes, I'm really curious how long he is kept. Like I've posted before, his roster management, as weak as the roster is, was a real struggle to watch this past season. I saw them in person and it was a terribly frustrating process to sit through. You could see where they had momentum, then it would just be taken away... Plenty of replacement options. I'm curious to see who replaces him.
- Pavfan13

I agree. The Bowey project should be over. I understand why they tried it but he just doesn’t play consistently over 60 mins. Flashes is what he can be, but too much of what he is...

I’d like to see a small, splash to make a positive impact on the team. If they could find a good # 2 center and a few D men that don’t suck, I think they could push for a playoff spot.

Outside of a handful of team, the rest of the league is lingering in the middle so a few streaks and they could make a solid push.

Flush the turds and start fresh with some new faces. It can’t be worse than what we’ve put out the last 2 years.

I agree. The Bowey project should be over. I understand why they tried it but he just doesn’t play consistently over 60 mins. Flashes is what he can be, but too much of what he is...

I’d like to see a small, splash to make a positive impact on the team. If they could find a good # 2 center and a few D men that don’t suck, I think they could push for a playoff spot.

Outside of a handful of team, the rest of the league is lingering in the middle so a few streaks and they could make a solid push.

Flush the turds and start fresh with some new faces. It can’t be worse than what we’ve put out the last 2 years.
- Manthamania

Sign Bowey for a year at under a mill, and trade him back to the Caps for Jensen and a 6th. Caps can then sign Gudas to an extension.

I agree. The Bowey project should be over. I understand why they tried it but he just doesn’t play consistently over 60 mins. Flashes is what he can be, but too much of what he is...

I’d like to see a small, splash to make a positive impact on the team. If they could find a good # 2 center and a few D men that don’t suck, I think they could push for a playoff spot.

Outside of a handful of team, the rest of the league is lingering in the middle so a few streaks and they could make a solid push.

Flush the turds and start fresh with some new faces. It can’t be worse than what we’ve put out the last 2 years.
- Manthamania

Larkin is a good #2 center. We're missing a #1.

Good of you to find something to write about in this time of forced house arrest. It has to be a struggle in such a time of uncertainty. The world has to get moving again despite this, and if not more violence will most likely happen.
It is a courageous act to reopen and face all the naysayers. I am not a fan of Bettman, but this is one instance I hope he succedes.
I pray all goes well with this plan, and that it pushes all of us to overcome our fear. To those that wish to stay home, please do. To those that venture back into the world, wear the mask when necessary, wash your hands very often and be courteos and cautious. God speed to all!
- HenryHockey

You all have inspired a late addition. Andy Griffith’s poetic rendition of the story of Belleau wood during the Christmas truce. Yes, there are elements of dramatic overture, but the story remains a beautiful reminder that out of chaos can come beauty. Read more about that story here: https://www.smithsonianma...christmas-truce-11972213/

The line near the end, “Heaven’s not beyond the clouds, it’s just beyond the fear” hits me hard each year. Young men standing and singing in what had been a brutal scene earlier can speak to our current pandemic. Yes there is danger, but at some point our fear becomes the final obstacle to any forward motion. May each of you be safe, healthy and blessed during this time. I hope that each of you find your own “silent night” moment.

You all have inspired a late addition. Andy Griffith’s poetic rendition of the story of Belleau wood during the Christmas truce. Yes, there are elements of dramatic overture, but the story remains a beautiful reminder that out of chaos can come beauty. Read more about that story here: https://www.smithsonianma...christmas-truce-11972213/

The line near the end, “Heaven’s not beyond the clouds, it’s just beyond the fear” hits me hard each year. Young men standing and singing in what had been a brutal scene earlier can speak to our current pandemic. Yes there is danger, but at some point our fear becomes the final obstacle to any forward motion. May each of you be safe, healthy and blessed during this time. I hope that each of you find your own “silent night” moment.
- Jeremy Laura

A man I knew from a past experiance told me of his grandfater's involvment in that Christmas cease fire that happened over a hundred years ago.

A man I knew from a past experiance told me of his grandfater's involvment in that Christmas cease fire that happened over a hundred years ago.
- HenryHockey

That’s incredible! I’ve never met anyone involved. That must have been surreal! Thanks for sharing that H2