September 14/09
Theo Fleury and Jason Allison are two players who don’t seem to understand the basis of the new NHL, old players are out and drafting is in. Gone are the days where a GM would utter the words “draft schmaft”…………Cliff Fletcher. These players need to learn the lessons that players like Claude Lemiuex, and to a lesser extent Mats Sundin were trying to teach them, just stay retired.
I understand that everybody loves to talk about it, that it is an inspiration for people everywhere. There does not seem to be a reason for it other than a love for the game, even though the game does not seem likely to love them back. They may have been excellent players once upon a time, but returning to the game only to be a shadow of their former selves diminishes their names and images. Claude Lemiuex was brought on board by San Jose last season, to do nothing but disappoint, he tallied one assist in 18 games, what a waste of his and the organizations time. Giving a 43 year old player a roster spot, when the way to succeed is drafting and developing your own players………….Detroit Red Wings. Mats Sundin returned to the game to record a 0.68 point per game average, his average over the rest of his career was a far superior 1.05. The proof is in the hypothetical hockey pudding.
There are few success stories to speak of however; Mario Lemiuex, Saku Koivu, Gary Roberts and Bryan Berard. The difference is all of the cited players were forced to retire due to injury or illness. They were knocked down in the prime of their careers. Jason Allison already returned in 2005 after concussion issues forced him out of the game. A 60-point season was respectable statistically but I remember watching him play in the new NHL, he was clearly a step behind. His lack of speed was seemingly the reason he hung up his skates the second time around. Now watching him play this pre-season with the Leafs after a three-year absence, he doesn’t seem to have improved in the speed department, making a 34 year old even more unattractive to the youthful rebuilding Leafs.
The diminutive Theo Fleury is attempting to come-back and play for a team that is looking to make a run at the cup. The issue with the Flames signing a right winger like Fleury is, they have incredible depth at the position. Jarome Iginla, Rene Bourque, David Moss (recently signed to a three year deal worth $1.3 million per), Eric Nystrom, Fredrik Sjostrom, first round pick Chris Chucko, and Enforcer Brian McGratton. Right wingers galore, there is no spot on the roster for Fleury. His history of drug and alcohol abuse should not help his chances, albeit he’s been sober four years.
Maybe the teams enjoy the extra media, not that Calgary and Toronto need to try for media exposure. I just simply can’t see any other reason to allow these players to try-out, just to give them false hope. If either of these comeback cast-offs make an NHL roster I will be very surprised and disappointed in management. I think maybe giving Allison a two-way contract and leaving him in the reserves, in case of multiple injuries would be acceptable. In Theo Fleury’s case I can’t see the Calgary higher ups being stupid enough to mix a substance abuse program regular in with young impressionable AHL prospects.
Daniel Malta
Theo Fleury and Jason Allison are two players who don’t seem to understand the basis of the new NHL, old players are out and drafting is in. Gone are the days where a GM would utter the words “draft schmaft”…………Cliff Fletcher. These players need to learn the lessons that players like Claude Lemiuex, and to a lesser extent Mats Sundin were trying to teach them, just stay retired.
I understand that everybody loves to talk about it, that it is an inspiration for people everywhere. There does not seem to be a reason for it other than a love for the game, even though the game does not seem likely to love them back. They may have been excellent players once upon a time, but returning to the game only to be a shadow of their former selves diminishes their names and images. Claude Lemiuex was brought on board by San Jose last season, to do nothing but disappoint, he tallied one assist in 18 games, what a waste of his and the organizations time. Giving a 43 year old player a roster spot, when the way to succeed is drafting and developing your own players………….Detroit Red Wings. Mats Sundin returned to the game to record a 0.68 point per game average, his average over the rest of his career was a far superior 1.05. The proof is in the hypothetical hockey pudding.
There are few success stories to speak of however; Mario Lemiuex, Saku Koivu, Gary Roberts and Bryan Berard. The difference is all of the cited players were forced to retire due to injury or illness. They were knocked down in the prime of their careers. Jason Allison already returned in 2005 after concussion issues forced him out of the game. A 60-point season was respectable statistically but I remember watching him play in the new NHL, he was clearly a step behind. His lack of speed was seemingly the reason he hung up his skates the second time around. Now watching him play this pre-season with the Leafs after a three-year absence, he doesn’t seem to have improved in the speed department, making a 34 year old even more unattractive to the youthful rebuilding Leafs.
The diminutive Theo Fleury is attempting to come-back and play for a team that is looking to make a run at the cup. The issue with the Flames signing a right winger like Fleury is, they have incredible depth at the position. Jarome Iginla, Rene Bourque, David Moss (recently signed to a three year deal worth $1.3 million per), Eric Nystrom, Fredrik Sjostrom, first round pick Chris Chucko, and Enforcer Brian McGratton. Right wingers galore, there is no spot on the roster for Fleury. His history of drug and alcohol abuse should not help his chances, albeit he’s been sober four years.
Maybe the teams enjoy the extra media, not that Calgary and Toronto need to try for media exposure. I just simply can’t see any other reason to allow these players to try-out, just to give them false hope. If either of these comeback cast-offs make an NHL roster I will be very surprised and disappointed in management. I think maybe giving Allison a two-way contract and leaving him in the reserves, in case of multiple injuries would be acceptable. In Theo Fleury’s case I can’t see the Calgary higher ups being stupid enough to mix a substance abuse program regular in with young impressionable AHL prospects.
Daniel Malta
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