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| Nash at Practice in 2011-12 |
You see, you command a pretty big salary. In fact you got pretty uppity when the club didn't come through with what you thought was enough. So they came through. But now you're asking someone else to pick that up, and there's the rub.
Let's be blunt. You didn't earn your salary last year. You weren't in the all-star game because you didn't deserve to be. You're not the only one that had a rotten year in 2011-12, but it can be truly said that you were the leader of those who had a rotten year. So you were overpaid by a couple of million last year. You did score your 30th goal in the last game of the season, so you did preserve that statistic. But no GM wants to pay north of $7 million for a guy who scores his 30th goal on the last day of the season.
So get your arms around it Rick. You're playing in Columbus in 2012-13, because no one will give us what you are worth to this franchise. They want market value, and you are over priced versus your performance. And there's only one person who can change that, Rick. It's you.
I wonder what the new assistant coaches are going to think of your practice habits? Last on the ice, first off the ice. Maybe that would be something that is easy to change Rick. The whole Captain thing? Maybe its time to give that a break, and focus on your game. Let someone else pick up that load. Its okay.
So Rick, if you want out of here, you need to be a monster on the ice this year. That way you can be moved at the trade deadline for what you are worth to this franchise. You need to change your market value Rick. I dunno, maybe a short term goal would be to play like an All-Star in the first half of the season, so we don't have to welcome you back in someone else's jersey.
Don't get me wrong. I'm still a fan. And I'm ready to let go if that's the way things have to be. But it's on you now Rick.
So git 'er done, son!!
GO JACKETS!!
Preach it, brother. Well said.
ReplyDeleteNail on the head Gallos, well done..
ReplyDeleteAnd sadly, if he were to actually come back and be a monster, I'd be the first one demanding he would stay. I miss awesome Nash. A lot.
I do hope you feel this way about the rest of the team and not just the one historic top-level player on it. The Jackets are full of hilariously awful under-performers at every position (excepting perhaps Tyutin, Nikitin and Atkinson). And I also hope you feel this way about the guy who seemed to think that Steve Mason and an AHL netminder were the answer last year (or the year before, or the year before that) and that the offense was good enough, and that Jeff Carter should net Jack Johnson, a defensive mess (also the same guy responsible for caving into the same contract we're so critical of). I'm not going to defend Nash's single down year (and that's right: the year before he was still elite), but I will request that the blame go around to everybody.
ReplyDeleteThe one major difference is that Nash is asking for a trade of his top dollar contract. And while Nash did play well the year before the bad year sort of makes it a trend of declining productivity since 2008-09 that others are not ignoring. I agree that last year has tons of blame to go around and would personally point to the coach for failing to have the team ready to go when the season started and for allowing it to get out of control so.quickly.
DeleteNash is the only star on a team of grinders. You can't expect him to carry the team himself. Besides, there are also alternate captains who are supposed to lead as well. So, Nash had one bad year, management had 10 bad years and Mason has had 3 bad years. I'm sure everyone is raving about your performance at your place of work too.
ReplyDeleteI have my bad days at work just like anyone. A bad day does not a season make. If you asked my boss I think he'd tell you I'm a pretty steady performer. Quirky, yes, but steady. Oh yeah, and I'm making a tad bit south of $7.8 million per year. With top dollar come top expectations. If you demanded the top dollar, like Nash, you asked for the expectations. I was pointing out that if he wants things to change the mirror was a good place to start.
DeleteZekebud...I agree the blame needs to go around but I don't agree with your take on the Carter and Johnson trade. I would take a Jack Johnson over a Jeff Carter, who didn't want to be here, any day. And you forgot Howson also got a 1st round pick out of that deal. I don't think that was a bad deal. Carter is like a 2 year old who cried until he got what he wanted. Johnson seems to be a great locker room, possibly captain material.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Gallos.
ReplyDeleteThe Nash Lesson, for Nash: You want to be the leader and to be paid like superman? Then be a leader and play like superman.
ReplyDeleteThe Nash Lesson, for the CBJ: If you appoint a player to be the leader and pay him like superman, make sure he can do both regardless of the circumstances.
It might sound like "piling on", but I don't see that 2010-2011 was a whole lot better for the captain. When the going got tough, he tended to "check out" no pun intended and then forced the brass to come up with the "he isn't a rah-rah type of leader, or he leads his own way." Give the " C " to someone deserving of it, if Nash is still around, fine. If not, GET GOOD VALUE FOR HIM!!!!! This team can make up 30-35 goals a season if they just hit the net more often and if the other team isn't keying on stopping just one line.
ReplyDeletegenius... well said
ReplyDelete