Comments for Battle of Ontario....
There are guys you think "sure, I hate him on another team, but I'd love to have him on mine."
Tucker isn't one of them.
Agreed. I wouldn't want Tucker on my roster. Hes dead weight. Just like good old Redden. Please push them across the border. They might get better pay from cities that just don't know hockey. Mind you, if he comes to OTT, I will be the first in line to 'BOO' the crap out of him.
Red's will probably have a at least semi-resurgence somewhere. You don't get selected to Team Canada by accident. Ottawa's patience has rightfully run out though.
Tucker's a Belak without the personality.
Tucker had an awful season. Just terrible. They say he had injuries most of the year, knee and back, but I watched most of his 74 games this season and injuries doesn't explain all of this:
-lack of competitiveness
-pushed off the puck easily
-missing open nets regularly
-lack of aggressiveness
05/06: 74GP 28G 33A 61PTS
07/08: 74GP 18G 16A 34PTS
The 05/06 Tucker is a $3M player, not the one we saw this season. The 06/07 Tucker was almost a point a game, but he only played 56 games. He came two goals from being a 30 goal scorer two years ago. He's had some very good years both recently and further back in his career.
My only hesitation about buying him out is this: he's scored over 20 goals 7 times in the last 9 years. He's been fairly consistent most of his career ut is known to have off years. Thing is, he's bounced back. He's only 33.
His no-trade clause is invalid June 15th 2009 for 6 weeks, if the Leafs miss the playoffs next season. And they will. Buying him out now puts the Leafs on the hook for half his salary for the next four years, and who's to say he doesn't come out for another team and put up 60 points next year? Who will the Leafs get for $1.5M to replace his minutes and points?
I would wait it out. Next year is a write-off anyway, why not wait and see if he can be turned into assets? If not, buy him out next summer. No harm done.
I would wait it out. Next year is a write-off anyway, why not wait and see if he can be turned into assets? If not, buy him out next summer.
A buyout's not really what they [should] want to do. If they can move him, even on bad terms, and let someone else do the experimenting, even better. The terms will likely be worse next year.
No harm done.
See, the thing is, that's just not true. There's only so many room for guys who act and love to talk like leaders in a room. The young guys who look to learn come in and learn all the wrong lessons. The young guys who might have seeds of leadership in them get stifled out. This is one of several reasons why careers stagnate or end in Toronto, and one reason they haven't been able to develop many top-notch NHL'ers in what, 30 years?
You don't get selected to Team Canada by accident.
No, but sometimes you get selected based on past performances that you have no hope of matching. See: Bertuzzi, Todd.
The Ottawa Senators asked about him prior to dealing for Cory Stillman and Martin Lapointe in February.
Sweet, sweet vindication for Leafers. Maybe not every GM in hockey wants him but yours does!
Q:How's fuckface doing?
A:He's still full of shit!
START THE PRESSES! LEAK LEAK LEAK!
At his age and with his injuries, Tucker would be a good third liner for the Sens at $1.5M, max. But they've got enough third liners.
See, the thing is, that's just not true. There's only so many room for guys who act and love to talk like leaders in a room. The young guys who look to learn come in and learn all the wrong lessons.
It's like you've been in an NHL dressing room your whole life. Oh the insight.
Anyway, if Tucker was trouble in the dressing room and a bad teammate (see Emery, Ray), than for sure better to cut your losses. However I've never heard this from the media or anywhere else. Hi on ice antics in the past hurt the team at times, but were heavily outweighed by his contributions. He plays through injuries, when healthy sacrifices his body night after night, and putting up 20+ goals in the process isn't a bad example for the kids either.
I don't think your theory applies to this particular player, but I agree a problem player can cause more harm than good. Obviously.
This is one of several reasons why careers stagnate or end in Toronto, and one reason they haven't been able to develop many top-notch NHL'ers in what, 30 years?
I think everybody is smart enough around here that I don't even have to bother to challenge that completely inaccurate statement.
When you're the guy taking the mike at every opportunity, you're a de facto voice of the team.
How do you know he's playing through injuries? Because he makes goddamn sure you know. He talks like a leader (with a little bit more whine) and seeks out the scrums like a leader, but he's not walking like one.
What message does that send?
You don't have to be in an NHL locker room your whole life to be able to smell shit a mile away.
Sorry, dressing room -- Sorry Grapes.
Murray was probably thinking about getting Cody Fucking Bass a speedbag to practice on and tucker was the first thing that came to mind.
Actually Murray inquired if he would be willing to have copper wires shoved in his pee pee...a prerequisite of sorts....
It's not 5pm and Heatley's got 2 today already.
It's not 5pm and Heatley's got 2 today already.
So I guess that means he's not injured...and that Slovenia doesn't check that tightly...
Well I'm sure the Leafs on Team Canada would be happy to take a few interview questions about... oh wait, nevermind.
It's a good thing Heatly and Spezza were able to get out of the NHL playoffs just in time to play for team Canada, Slovenia never had a prayer.
Heater, Getzlaf and Nash on a line at the WCs.
Yowza.
The Hotstove guys are commenting on Gainey tradimg Huet.
They forget that the Flyers beat Huet in the first round.
oh and Greg Millen is a complete jerk!
How do you know he's playing through injuries? Because he makes goddamn sure you know.
Yes. Tucker runs up to the media when they come into the room, grabs the mike, and tells everybody he's playing injured. You're spot on!
Nice game by Heatley. Him and Afraidsson really turn it on against the minnow teams when playing for their respective countries.
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