Esposito: "I really like Vinny a lot, but he is playing like he just doesnt care..."
Esposito said: "I really really like Vinny a lot, but he is playing like he just doesnt care. And thats hard for me to say."
This was a comment made by Phil Esposito about Vinny on the Lightnings radio broadcast tonight. I posted it in the Lightning forum but I just wanted to hear the opinions of other teams fans who have seen him play.
This is pretty strong criticism coming from an ambassador of the organization like Phil is. I just dont get it. How can he not give a crap, his team is in the middle of a playoff race. There has to be something going on. I mean hes on about a PPG pace but he just doesnt try hard most nights.
Interesting. I haven't been able to watch the Bolts a ton this year, but Vinny's lack of production has been a huge story.
I find this quote off base on one simple situation. It is an Olympic year. You actually think Vinny would "not be trying" during an Olympic year, especially when it is on Canadian soil? Highly unlikely.
Interesting. I haven't been able to watch the Bolts a ton this year, but Vinny's lack of production has been a huge story.
I find this quote off base on one simple situation. It is an Olympic year. You actually think Vinny would "not be trying" during an Olympic year, especially when it is on Canadian soil? Highly unlikely.
I know...look, Esposito wouldnt just shoot out at the mouth like this about a player like Vinny unless it is something that hes thought about for awhile. He'll say player X is having a bad game or player X made a bad play but the way he said it was very reflective and out of gas like he felt really bad about it.
Honestly, you have to be a pretty high caliber player to have 20 points in 22 games yet still get critisized. And I watched the Leaf vs Bolts game tonight, he looked fine to me. He just hasnt found his scoring touch right now and it appears that Stamkos has taken that role over playing with St. Louis.
But still, when you think about it 20 points in 22 games yet apparntly he doesnt care.
I know...look, Esposito wouldnt just shoot out at the mouth like this about a player like Vinny unless it is something that hes thought about for awhile. He'll say player X is having a bad game or player X made a bad play but the way he said it was very reflective and out of gas like he felt really bad about it.
Of course he would. God love him, but Espo shoots his mouth off about anything and everything.
He looks disinterested to be honest. Stamkos has taken the bull by the horns and it seems Vinny has taken a second line role. It was strange considering the beatings he's put on the Leafs by himself at times in the past.
Cue more Hab media wet dreams about him landing with us. I think Vinny can be elite again, but at that price I'd rather not trade and wait to find out. Montreal is already paying big contracts to Gomez, Cammalleri and Gionta and trading others will leave them with no depth left and very little money to sign key UFAs and RFAs going forward. And I doubt Tampa trades Vinny and wants to get back the equal in contract money themselves, not to mention without picking up at least Subban and another primo Hab prospect. The day Tampa gave him that contract was the day I put to bed the feasibility of him being a Hab at least until he's nearing 40- if he's still an NHL'er at that age- and can be had for cheaper. But really, this applies to any team. Even a good rising young team like Los Angeles would be rolling the dice to go out and get him. There are other stars I can think of that are more worth trading for to help get your team to the next level. We shouldn't discount the two consecutive big injuries he had in 07-08 and 08-09. They seem to have really contributed to curtailing what was becoming an amazing career.
Esposito said: "I really really like Vinny a lot, but he is playing like he just doesnt care. And thats hard for me to say."
This was a comment made by Phil Esposito about Vinny on the Lightnings radio broadcast tonight. I posted it in the Lightning forum but I just wanted to hear the opinions of other teams fans who have seen him play.
This is pretty strong criticism coming from an ambassador of the organization like Phil is. I just dont get it. How can he not give a crap, his team is in the middle of a playoff race. There has to be something going on. I mean hes on about a PPG pace but he just doesnt try hard most nights.
Wow, that is just cold to say that publicly for a guy like Esposito, who Vinny probably knows and respects.Remember when Ovechkin looked subpar for the better part of the first month last year and we later figured out it was probably due to him being upset about his grampa's worsening medical condition? Maybe it's something like that. I don't know how somebody can live as long as old Phil and not realize there are times in life when you can be so emotionally affected/distracted by something life altering.
*Edit* I just checked Lecavalier's stats. I realize he might be having a down year, but he does have 20 points in 22 games although only 5 of those are goals.....
Wow, that is just cold to say that publicly for a guy like Esposito, who Vinny probably knows and respects.Remember when Ovechkin looked subpar for the better part of the first month last year and we later figured out it was probably due to him being upset about his grampa's worsening medical condition? Maybe it's something like that. I don't know how somebody can live as long as old Phil and not realize there are times in life when you can be so emotionally affected/distracted by something life altering.
I agree to a certain extent. Vinny is also the kind of character that, frankly, seems to be a bit of a mental midget. Its easy to get him off his game and get in his head, and its easy for things to get to him and get him off his game. People thought Torts was just popping off at the mouth when he talked about having to motivate Vinny every single night, but if you've followed the bolts for years (really, since Vinny came into the league), you see that he wasn't full of ****, that it does seem to be a full time job to keep Vinny focused.
This seems to be a bit different for Tocchet, as he was never that kind of player. Lets face it, everytime Rick was on the ice, he was willing to bleed for anything. Heart and soul kind of guy. Some of that is rubbing off on other guys, some of them a second time. Stamkos and St. Louis have this vigor of 12 year old kids playing pond hockey with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Vinny on the other hand, doesn't pick up on that and seems to be waiting for someone to either piss him off, or someone to put a boot in his ass.
I don't think Vinny is upset with Tampa, not by a longshot. Hes used to the trade rumors and associated ******** with it, but now hes in a position where he needs to learn to be a self starter, and he can't, at this point. I'm not sure what it takes to motivate him, i'm not sure the coaching staff, the players, or the fans know what it takes to motivate him.
Vinny needs to find that fire within himself, remember that hes 6'4, 220, and that he can move just about anyone if he sticks his ass out or puts a paw on someone. When he was that player, he was dominant, and put up 50+. He has the tools, and the talent. Its so cliche, but he really needs to get all the **** between the eyes together. His mental resilience just isn't on par with other guys. He gets down on himself, and frustrated easily. Lots of questions within himself. I hope he figures it out. This team needs him.
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*Edit* I just checked Lecavalier's stats. I realize he might be having a down year, but he does have 20 points in 22 games although only 5 of those are goals.....
If there is one thing i'll defend, its that hes playing the best defensive hockey of his career at this point. Tocchet is making him very honest, very responsible.
Wow, that is just cold to say that publicly for a guy like Esposito, who Vinny probably knows and respects.Remember when Ovechkin looked subpar for the better part of the first month last year and we later figured out it was probably due to him being upset about his grampa's worsening medical condition? Maybe it's something like that. I don't know how somebody can live as long as old Phil and not realize there are times in life when you can be so emotionally affected/distracted by something life altering.
True.
Family/women/health issues can get you down no matter how hard you try to put it aside at game time.
I know...look, Esposito wouldnt just shoot out at the mouth like this about a player like Vinny unless it is something that hes thought about for awhile. He'll say player X is having a bad game or player X made a bad play but the way he said it was very reflective and out of gas like he felt really bad about it.
He did it before, he is a loudmouth. Great player, but a very big yap.
