Will KPD ever get over the Thornton snub?

[M.W. 0]

Bertuzzi was touted as the next great power forward, lauded as such by Don Maloney when he was drafted. Now, let's think about what power forwards are known for, guys like Neely, LeClair, Roberts, and Shanahan. Staking claim to their piece of the ice and finishing. Did Naslund outscore him? Sure. Does that mean Bertuzzi wasn't supposed to be a scorer? No. Did Bertuzzi explode for a season or two and do little close previous or since? Yes.

Bertuzzi's job on that line was to create space for Naslund and Morrison, to create havok around the net, to provide a physical presence, and to pick up the garbage out front. Morrison was supposed to give them some defensive presence, and get the other two the puck. Naslund was there to sneak into the holes that Bertuzzi created and put pucks in the net with his wrist shot.

Yeah, Bertuzzi was supposed to finish when he had the opportunity, but Naslund was definitely the triggerman on that line.

I'd agree that Bertuzzi fell off in a big way, though. He was the beneficiary of some ideal conditions in being put on that line with Morrison and Naslund. They were players who complemented each other perfectly. People claim that the Moore incident was the end of his productivity, but it really seemed to start when he signed that big contract. Something went missing from his game. The contract wasn't necessarily the reason, but the timing sure makes it look like it was.

[KingPest19 0]

chippa13 you sound like an Islander fan. I will agree the Isles did think that Bert was going to be their Neely Power foward when they drafted him. He just couldn't handle the pressure of being that highly touted. Not to mention Milbury totally screwing him up. Melrose and those Tampa owners will screw up Stamkos.

If Stamkos doesn't score 4-5 goals by the end of November. He MUST go back to Jrs. He is invisible on the ice, he's not even there. He'll get decent chance or two but otherwise it seems like the game is just a bit too fast for him right now. He should go back to Jrs. build up his confidence abit. If they don't I'm blaming the owners and Melrose if his career is a bust.

He wont be sent back to juniors. After the 10th game his contract year will kick in. Hes in the NHL for the season.

[chippa13 1844]

Teams have done it before, shipped guys back after game 10.

[Powerfibers 8]

Stamkos lit up the Sabres on Thursday night. He appeared every bit as good as say a Patrick Kane level player should be. The Lightning might be coming along just fine. It will be interesting to see if he stays or goes. It depends on how he fits in and gets ice time.

[Jason Harris 31]

During the series where the B's had a 3-1 lead on Montreal which they were in the process of blowing, Thornton, B's captain at the time, snuck out the back of the practice facility one day instead of talking to the Boston press. KPD has never let him live it down.

Key point to note, it was the series in which Thornton was playing with badly injured ribs. He was getting his usual ice time with his usual line-mates but wasn't producing. The day after ditching the media KPD wrote a scathing article about Thornton, demanding the C be removed from his jersey. Going on to say as captain it was his duty to address the media.

chippa the way I heard it was O'Connell was talking to Wilson and said everyone is available. Wilson assumed that meant everyone but Thornton, and asked "even Thornton". O'Connell replied, "everyone is available". Talks quickly changed from B. Stuart for Samsonov to B. Stuart and for Thornton.

Iron Mike was down in FL at the time and had always had a huge man crush on Joe. I bet O'Connell could have flipped Thornton for Luongo and come out looking like a hero.

What made it worse was it was widely presumed he was injured, although no one knew what the ailment was or how severe.

I have always disliked KPD's writings and rantings (although I admit I've found him much less on a soap box on Globe 10.0). All of that wouldn't matter, however, if it was just the ravings of an isolated lunatic, but it sure has seemed that KPD's opinions have had more influence with the Jacobs family than any sportswriter's should.

[chippa13 1844]

Well, KPD has often parrotted the sentiments of Harry Sinden, so, of course Jeremy Jacobs would absolutely love him.

[stick9 890]

Looks like Dupes has a new binky. He's all over Mike Modano for his comments regarding his teams actions Saturday night in Boston. Went as far as to call Modano a hair and teeth guy who's affraid to play big boy hockey...he threw Dougie Weight in there too.

If nothing else, the media certainly can be entertaining. ;)

[chippa13 1844]

I guess now that means Thornton not being a Modano-type guy is now a good thing in Dupont's eyes?