Hurt, Semi-Hurt or just plain gassed from a schedule he has never seen before........
I do not care.
For all of the pens people that think he sucks and needs to go - I will take him on the Wings and get him off your hands. Cripes - we are talking about a young kid here, not a seasoned vet. Argue that there are other youngsters on the team that are just as young and have played almost as much as Malkin as - does not matter!!! Second year player - from a country that counts its' season as about 45/50 games max usually - I think that this kid has hit the wall.
Not everyone can get the 4th and 5th wind to keep going. This is the same crap I listened to about Datsyuk and even Zetterberg the first few years (and Pavel was a older 23-25 at the time!). Anyone turning down either of these two players as an addition to their team???? I've said it previously and I think it is ridiculous to have to say it again - quit crucifying the kid. He is still a top-notch talent and will be for years to come.
I am fairly certain that not many of you have ever played any sport at a level where you are entering your 10th month of continuous play. I am sure that more than a few of you may have had a job where you had to work 6 or 7 days a week for 8-12 months with no vacations ( I know as a former owner of my own business - that I have) - think how you felt after 10 months: Your mind is on auto-pilot, you make a mistake here and there just from the fatigue. Not to mention how your body feels some days as the alarm goes off and you have to drag your self out of bed. And then think that - at least no one is trying to body slam you every 2 minutes as you get on the ice for your 35 second shift.
Tell me again how an athlete should not have any similarities???
Some can find the reserves... some can't.
And then remind me - how hard it is for the Stanley Cup Champs to make it back to the Finals the next year - because their season ended sometime in June.
As Forrest said.... 'That's all I have to say about that' !!!!
bruce
