Theres nothing to take away when your A’s play a B squad

I'm with you. My interpretation (and it's only an interpretation because Lehner speaks/tweets in riddles) was that he was accusing AV of treating players (specifically Hart) like robots and not human beings. The drug stuff sounds like posturing..."I know all kinds of dark secrets about the NHL and will start telling if anyone challenges me"
- Dkos

I've said it before. There was a better way to handle this IMO. Go to the PA, PA to the league for investigation. Now IF, Lehner felt the PA or league or both weren't addressing concerns seriously/covering up, then go to the press/twitter if need be.

NHL starting a new deal with ESPN and a week before the season this guy is making major waves, can’t make it up. I don’t disagree about the Eichel stuff , the league needs to step in there, it’s dragged on long enough.

I do not think he was overly tough on Hart. AV wanted him to play better. I don't think he went overboard either way with his review of Hart's play. At least not publicly to my recollection.
- mickel25

I agree with you. I thought it was just coach speak..."gotta do a better job" kind of thing... "got to work harder"

I do not think he was overly tough on Hart. AV wanted him to play better. I don't think he went overboard either way with his review of Hart's play. At least not publicly to my recollection.
- mickel25

This. On top of this, critiquing a player’s play doesn’t imply he’s secretly giving Carter sleeping pills. It’s incredible the dots people will connect (on Twitter.) gotta love the countless tweets accusing AV of belittling Lehner’s mental health in free agency when in reality AV wasn’t even employed by an NHL team!

The thing with Eichel and that is how his rant started. Eichel is part of the players association as is the drunk. The same association that agreed to let teams have the final say on surgeries. So instead of going at the team go at the NHLPA.
- hello it's me 2050

To me it’s likely a good faith thinking with NHLPA. Personally, I would assume that team would put their player’s health as a priority, looking at what is in their best interest because of that player’s importance to the team, organization and the game of hockey. When a team behaves as Buffalo has in the case of Eichel, it falls outside the expectations. You know what they say about those who “assume”…

BTW, I really doubt that Lehner was drunk.

I've said it before. There was a better way to handle this IMO. Go to the PA, PA to the league for investigation. Now IF, Lehner felt the PA or league or both weren't addressing concerns seriously/covering up, then go to the press/twitter if need be.
- Hextall271

That’s just it. We don’t know if those involved first hand haven’t already reported the issue, whatever it may be.

To me it’s likely a good faith thinking with NHLPA. Personally, I would assume that team would put their player’s health as a priority, looking at what is in their best interest because of that player’s importance to the team, organization and the game of hockey. When a team behaves as Buffalo has in the case of Eichel, it falls outside the expectations. You know what they say about those who “assume”…

BTW, I really doubt that Lehner was drunk.
- NC Flyers Fan

Lehner definitely made some good points on the NHLPA and the lack of support for Eichel from his peers in the league. Also made a great point mentioning if it was yourself in this situation you’d want the support from fellow NHL players.

dbth

I'm with you. My interpretation (and it's only an interpretation because Lehner speaks/tweets in riddles) was that he was accusing AV of treating players (specifically Hart) like robots and not human beings. The drug stuff sounds like posturing..."I know all kinds of dark secrets about the NHL and will start telling if anyone challenges me"
- Dkos

I look at it like you're either going to be a whistleblower or your not. Don't do it half assed and if you're going to accuse someone of something, you better have proof. Otherwise shut up.

Lehner definitely made some good points on the NHLPA and the lack of support for Eichel from his peers in the league. Also made a great point mentioning if it was yourself in this situation you’d want the support from fellow NHL players.
- arichardson22

How are they going to support him. It's in the CBA negotiated by the NHLPA that the team has final say in medical procedures.

I'm with you. My interpretation (and it's only an interpretation because Lehner speaks/tweets in riddles) was that he was accusing AV of treating players (specifically Hart) like robots and not human beings. The drug stuff sounds like posturing..."I know all kinds of dark secrets about the NHL and will start telling if anyone challenges me"
- Dkos

The best part of it was when he claimed "...but not Las Vegas..." Very convenient that his current team is 100% by-the-book.

lol

This. On top of this, critiquing a player’s play doesn’t imply he’s secretly giving Carter sleeping pills. It’s incredible the dots people will connect (on Twitter.) gotta love the countless tweets accusing AV of belittling Lehner’s mental health in free agency when in reality AV wasn’t even employed by an NHL team!
- arichardson22

I was ok with AV's comments re: Hart as well. This is a pro NHL team with pro players. If the coach isn't happy, then play better. I am a big supporter of Hart, but the coach has to push the guys on his squad especially if they suck like they did last year.

The best part of it was when he claimed "...but not Las Vegas..." Very convenient that his current team is 100% by-the-book.

lol
- Scoob

Yes. That was curious for sure. Especially since he's only been there since 2019-2020. Does he know the team didn't before?

I was ok with AV's comments re: Hart as well. This is a pro NHL team with pro players. If the coach isn't happy, then play better. I am a big supporter of Hart, but the coach has to push the guys on his squad especially if they suck like they did last year.
- Hextall271

It’s honestly bothersome all the support AV has shown for Carter is just being ignored entirely. Are we also forgetting Hart’s great season under AV’s first year of coaching? So many times AV mentioned this is just a young goalie going through adversity that ALL young goalies go through in the NHL. That Carter will learn from this and get better. It’s comical. Do you really think Hart would have signed an extension here if AV was so horrible?

I do not think he was overly tough on Hart. AV wanted him to play better. I don't think he went overboard either way with his review of Hart's play. At least not publicly to my recollection.
- mickel25

I will just say this about the AV and Hart thing from last season. I thought AV was wrong the one time he questioned Hart’s work ethic and then doubled down on it a couple times. It’s poorly worded and doesn’t make logical sense in a situation where practice time was completely limited. I thought it was great that he then gave Hart more practice time by not starting him for a week. More time is what he needed, not an improved work ethic. Also, he has many times expressed his belief in Hart’s talent and that the organization has faith in him.

Saying that, it was a super frustrating time and I didn’t look at the AV statement as reflective of anything more than a mistake in his communication. That in itself, isn’t a reasonable cause to call for him to be fired.

I know that lack of practice time wasn’t the only issue, btw. This post isn’t meant to rehash all the variables from last season’s disappointment.

How are they going to support him. It's in the CBA negotiated by the NHLPA that the team has final say in medical procedures.
- MJL

Yes, I didn't realize this point, and its somewhat horrifying to me. I don't believe anyone should make medical decisions for a human being, not a government, and certainly not a hockey organization. I understand the implications given the team has invested heavily in the player, and I certainly think the team should have inputs on what should occur, but ultimately it should be the player that makes the call. It doesn't sound to me like Eichel is being unreasonable in this instance, he wants to replace his disk with an artificial one, which as I understand would be less recovery time and no need for future surgeries, whereas fusing the vertebrae would be 6 months and most likely future procedures. If I were Eichel I would opt for the new technology.

How are they going to support him. It's in the CBA negotiated by the NHLPA that the team has final say in medical procedures.
- MJL

I understand that’s what the NHLPA agreed to, but this situation seems more unique than any injury in recent years. While the injury/surgery is the core issue, it also seems it’s deeper and there’s bad blood between Sabres and Jack.

dbth
- Scoob

Diploma of Botano Therapy?

Listen, maybe my interpretation of the Lehner rant is incorrect, but it sounds as if the whole reason he was upset is because of something happening right now that he wishes to stop. He brings up things that have happened in the past as leverage but the real issue is current, however vaguely worded.

Is this the Eichel situation or something more?
- NC Flyers Fan

I read yesterday he had a problem in Buffalo with a high ankle sprain that the team handled badly. Maybe the treatment was bad (drugs) ?

Yes, I didn't realize this point, and its somewhat horrifying to me. I don't believe anyone should make medical decisions for a human being, not a government, and certainly not a hockey organization. I understand the implications given the team has invested heavily in the player, and I certainly think the team should have inputs on what should occur, but ultimately it should be the player that makes the call. It doesn't sound to me like Eichel is being unreasonable in this instance, he wants to replace his disk with an artificial one, which as I understand would be less recovery time and no need for future surgeries, whereas fusing the vertebrae would be 6 months and most likely future procedures. If I were Eichel I would opt for the new technology.
- jd250

This is correct.


The thing that is really weird from my point of view is that the disc replacement surgery is a much better option for Eichel and by proxy for the team. Fusion permanently limits range of motion and you almost always require more surgery after. The disc replacement allows for more range of motion and usually doesn't require more surgery down the line.

Its "experimental" only in that its never been done on a professional hockey player.

I understand that’s what the NHLPA agreed to, but this situation seems more unique than any injury in recent years. While the injury/surgery is the core issue, it also seems it’s deeper and there’s bad blood between Sabres and Jack.
- arichardson22

I disagree that it's the core issue. I agree with you that there is bad blood and something else deeper though. Seems to me that the Sabres organization is using the injury resolution as a control mechanism.

Thanks. I do not consider Robin Lehner on twitter to be a reliable source TBH. Hopefully we'll receive clarification once it's investigated. Just seems suspicious that he has "proof" when he never played here. Relaying another player's account does not constitute proof.
- Hextall271

I would think everyone here follows hockey enough to know Lehner is incredibly unreliable and at this point he comes off as being kind of an idiot.

Lehner, Eichel, Patrick and the rest all had votes in the most recent CBA. If they had concerns in their ability to file grievances and have recourse should there be an issue. Also they pay agents and money back to the Players Association to represent them.

The Flyers were incredibly patient and professional with Patrick.

The NHL has been sensitive with Lehner’s personal battles and have given him a number of chances. Chances other industries would not have provided.

When his play tails off or other issues arise and you better believe for whatever reason his play will tail off, he will then decide Vegas also takes advantage of their players.

There is no way I would have given this guy 5 mill and shipped out Fleury. Ridiculous mistake and I can guarantee you some folks in the Vegas front office feel the same way today.

Just another example of a spoiled brat athlete who gets a backbone after they sign a big contract.

I read yesterday he had a problem in Buffalo with a high ankle sprain that the team handled badly. Maybe the treatment was bad (drugs) ?
- Angus4444

He implied as much in one of his tweets.

The thing that is really weird from my point of view is that the disc replacement surgery is a much better option for Eichel and by proxy for the team. Fusion permanently limits range of motion and you almost always require more surgery after. The disc replacement allows for more range of motion and usually doesn't require more surgery down the line.

Its "experimental" only in that its never been done on a professional hockey player.
- MBFlyerfan

This is what makes me think this situation is ugly and there’s bad blood between Sabres and Jack. Wouldn’t you want the best outcome to maximize return in any potential trade? Or want the best option for him to hit the ice for your own team? The longer this is delayed the longer your player can’t play for your team or the team you want to trade with. Im sure Eichel’s camp is using Tarasenko’s experience as a comparison to get the preferred operation.