Pretty pathetic that people can't just say "yeah maybe it was and is a problem."

Listing black guys with good reputations is as ridiculous as saying that Obama getting elected ended racism.
- James_Tanner

OK, it was and is a problem (I'm being 100% serious). It is not the only problem. Can people not point out actual issues with these players' performance?

To correct your statement:
Listing black guys with good reputations is as ridiculous as stating the only reason that these players are critiqued is because of racism.

None of those guys are lazy, and they probably all got hit with that rep for reasons that had nothing to do with their play.

Kadri, Byfuglien, E. Kane, Duclair, Subban and JT Brown have all been, at times, degraded in the media for being problems in the dressing room, or having attitude problems, or being lazy etc. That has to be at least 80% of the minority players inthe league, so if you don't see that there's a bit of a problem, double standard etc, I don't know what to say.

Must just be a big coincidence, right?
- James_Tanner

Kadri has multiple suspensions by the league, and even a suspension by his own team because of his behavior

Byfuglien's conditioning issues are recurring and well documented

Subban's history of being difficult to coach started in Montreal but we had reasons to doubt it. Seeing Nashville trade him for a pittance said a lot, and his performance in NJ this year has to make you wonder.

The color of their skin means they've undoubtedly encountered racism outside the sport and within the NHL. But they did what they did, in a league where talented players face a lot of scrutiny and accountability. If they aren't held accountable it's hard to expect them to grow into solid pros. In Kadri's case in particular I think he's learned his lesson, and I'd say the same about Duclair

"Breakout star" Anthony Duclair is a one-trick pony; well, two, because he also has very good speed. If he doesn't score, he contributes little to nothing. Dating back to Dec 23, he has two goals and 10 points in his last 29 games after his red hot start. That is more in line with what he's always been... more often a "scorer in theory" than an actual scorer with any consistency.

Pretty pathetic that people can't just say "yeah maybe it was and is a problem."

Listing black guys with good reputations is as ridiculous as saying that Obama getting elected ended racism.
- James_Tanner

That's what I thought. What you posted is just another Tanner "fact". Answer the question! I want to know from you why Wayne Simmonds was spared of the racism and not labeled as lazy or having a bad attitude?

That's what I thought. What you posted is just another Tanner "fact". Answer the question! I want to know from you why Wayne Simmonds was spared of the racism and not labeled as lazy or having a bad attitude?
- MJL

Don’t you be bringing in logic or evidence, this here is a tanner blog dontchaknow

That's what I thought. What you posted is just another Tanner "fact". Answer the question! I want to know from you why Wayne Simmonds was spared of the racism and not labeled as lazy or having a bad attitude?
- MJL

Dude, just stop. You're 'fox news' spin isn't really appropriate on topics like this. I know you know better.

"Breakout star" Anthony Duclair is a one-trick pony; well, two, because he also has very good speed. If he doesn't score, he contributes little to nothing. Dating back to Dec 23, he has two goals and 10 points in his last 29 games after his red hot start. That is more in line with what he's always been... more often a "scorer in theory" than an actual scorer with any consistency.
- bmeltzer

Duclair has a positive expected goals percentage while playing on the Ottawa Senators. Despite being only one of two players defenses need to focus on, his possession rating was less than 1% relative to his team.

He's been a positive player relative to his team for almost his entire career.

His point totals were suppressed this year due to an on-ice shooting percentage under 9%.

Since January 1st he had an extremely unlucky sub 3% individual shooting percentage.


Regardless, his points / 60 this year is 2.05 which is good first line production.

Bottom line is that while Duclair did have a very hot streak and a very cold steak, he still put up first line numbers on a terrible team. He's had a great breakout season, don't let one cold streak cloud your judgement. He isn't a great defensive player, but he's better without the puck than many players who routinely get praise. He has always been super-underrated, and now he's getting the respect he deserves.

Duclair has a positive expected goals percentage while playing on the Ottawa Senators. Despite being only one of two players defenses need to focus on, his possession rating was less than 1% relative to his team.

He's been a positive player relative to his team for almost his entire career.

His point totals were suppressed this year due to an on-ice shooting percentage under 9%.

Since January 1st he had an extremely unlucky sub 3% individual shooting percentage.


Regardless, his points / 60 this year is 2.05 which is good first line production.

Bottom line is that while Duclair did have a very hot streak and a very cold steak, he still put up first line numbers on a terrible team. He's had a great breakout season, don't let one cold streak cloud your judgement. He isn't a great defensive player, but he's better without the puck than many players who routinely get praise. He has always been super-underrated, and now he's getting the respect he deserves.
- James_Tanner

Don’t let 5 teams before he’s 25 cloud your judgment , it must have been because he was black . Thank god you cleared that up.

That's what I thought. What you posted is just another Tanner "fact". Answer the question! I want to know from you why Wayne Simmonds was spared of the racism and not labeled as lazy or having a bad attitude?
- MJL

Because he was Tough! Duhh...or maybe because he was one of the hardest working guys on the team .

This.

Dude, just stop. You're 'fox news' spin isn't really appropriate on topics like this. I know you know better.
- James_Tanner

Wouldn’t it be easier to just admit you don’t know the answer to his question?

Dude, just stop. You're 'fox news' spin isn't really appropriate on topics like this. I know you know better.
- James_Tanner

Ugh....tired of getting 2 comments per blog, huh? So, predictably, you post something inflammatory. And, just as predictably, the usual crowd took the bait

Also, *your

Oh boy, here we go again.

Defending Daigle by saying we don't understand what it takes to be a pro athlete? This is a player who has admitted post career his heart wasn't in it, and only continued to play hockey after 17 because he was good at it and wanted the money.

Kadri did have attitude issues. Does have them. Sometimes it lets him play with a chip on his shoulder and dominate. Sometimes it makes him lose his poop and get suspended for bad reasons. Sometimes he's late to practice.

Buff is lazy. Have you forgotten how many times he's showed up to camp pushing 300? Got a diu on his boat. Seems like a great guy to drink beers with, but we're talking hockey.

Duc had a breakout season years ago. Followed it up with years lacking a full effort. Seems to have found some success in Ottawa, hopefully he builds on it. Probably learned some lessons somewhere between team 2 and 5. You know where it wasn't going to happen? Arizona.

James Troller

Dude, just stop. You're 'fox news' spin isn't really appropriate on topics like this. I know you know better.
- James_Tanner

Since you refuse to answer the question, we'll just go with the fact that you're just using the number one play in the liberal handbook. Everything is racist.

Actually your actions of repeatedly bringing politics and racism into your blog is what is not appropriate. Nobody holds you accountable for that. Unfortunately I know that you don't know any better.

It's so easy to beat liberal nonsense. Confront them with one simple question and they'll respond with insults and label you. That's how you know you've got them.

Duclair has a positive expected goals percentage while playing on the Ottawa Senators. Despite being only one of two players defenses need to focus on, his possession rating was less than 1% relative to his team.

He's been a positive player relative to his team for almost his entire career.

His point totals were suppressed this year due to an on-ice shooting percentage under 9%.

Since January 1st he had an extremely unlucky sub 3% individual shooting percentage.


Regardless, his points / 60 this year is 2.05 which is good first line production.

Bottom line is that while Duclair did have a very hot streak and a very cold steak, he still put up first line numbers on a terrible team. He's had a great breakout season, don't let one cold streak cloud your judgement. He isn't a great defensive player, but he's better without the puck than many players who routinely get praise. He has always been super-underrated, and now he's getting the respect he deserves.
- James_Tanner

If a player is unlucky to have a low shooting percentage, wasn't he also lucky to have a high shooting percentage earlier in the season? What does that tell you Mr Tanner? 10 points in 29 games is not first line production. Don't let one hot streak cloud your judgement.
You also need to be educated on what a breakout season actually is.

Does anyone remember what Tanner said about players who have a sub 50% corsi rating? I wonder if Tanner does.

Ottawa also had more than two players that defenses need to focus on.

Tanner, Duclair didn't have a great year last year. He had a good streak or two. All he does is score. nothing else! But tends to go long periods of time without scoring. Why do you like him so much Tanner? I know you never seen him play. The stats you use are wrong, Tanner. Or you don't understand how to properly use them. Nobody can be this wrong about players like you are! I'm starting to think you just say this stuff for hits. Duke will probably be traded next year too. He sucks!

I'd be curious to know what changed from his twenty goal year with the yotes to the demotion. It was the exact same coaching staff from top to bottom. Since we only know what happens on ice during games for fact and don't see what happens at practice or coaches meetings or on the road, it's irresponsible to start throwing around racism. Could very well be the case but we don't know.

Since you refuse to answer the question, we'll just go with the fact that you're just using the number one play in the liberal handbook. Everything is racist.

Actually your actions of repeatedly bringing politics and racism into your blog is what is not appropriate. Nobody holds you accountable for that. Unfortunately I know that you don't know any better.

It's so easy to beat liberal nonsense. Confront them with one simple question and they'll respond with insults and label you. That's how you know you've got them.
- MJL

Well said. Dragging politics and racism into a sports discussion after several blogs with crickets. He's a cheap trick jester with a bag of rubber chickens.

Since you refuse to answer the question, we'll just go with the fact that you're just using the number one play in the liberal handbook. Everything is racist.

Actually your actions of repeatedly bringing politics and racism into your blog is what is not appropriate. Nobody holds you accountable for that. Unfortunately I know that you don't know any better.

It's so easy to beat liberal nonsense. Confront them with one simple question and they'll respond with insults and label you. That's how you know you've got them.
- MJL

lol ok grampa
watch out for those communists while you're at it

Guys can score goals and still be lazy

Heck, a guy on my beer league team. Unreal talent, leads our team in goals every year, doesn't back check. Once he is beat, loses all hustle and starts to coast. Turns the jets back on once we gain possession, that's if the puck doesn't end up in the back of our net

Damn straight is these were games that "mattered" his butt would be stapled to the bench until he got the message

lol ok grampa
watch out for those communists while you're at it
- Coburns_Nose

I agree. Look at the mess we're in now due to the communists.

I'm not your grampa. Have some respect.

I agree. Look at the mess we're in now due to the communists.

I'm not your grampa. Have some respect.
- MJL

you might want to try that yourself

saying that the number one play in the liberal playbook is calling everything racist shows a lack of respect for reality and for a large segment of society.

How many Philadelphia Flyers players do you think vote Democrat and identify as liberal? Do you think their #1 play is calling everything racist? I don't believe you do. But you said what you said, and the hypocrisy in that statement comes from the way you so often criticize people here for their approach to discussion/debate

you might want to try that yourself

saying that the number one play in the liberal playbook is calling everything racist shows a lack of respect for reality and for a large segment of society.

How many Philadelphia Flyers players do you think vote Democrat and identify as liberal? Do you think their #1 play is calling everything racist? I don't believe you do. But you said what you said, and the hypocrisy in that statement comes from the way you so often criticize people here for their approach to discussion/debate
- Coburns_Nose

I should quantify that by saying the far left liberals. I have no issue with anyone left or right of center. Anyone informed would know who I was referring to and it's not disrespectful. It's truthful. No hypocrisy involved with the exception that I'm violating my own rule of not discussing politics. The criticism towards Mr. Tanner was justified.

Duclair has a positive expected goals percentage while playing on the Ottawa Senators. Despite being only one of two players defenses need to focus on, his possession rating was less than 1% relative to his team.

He's been a positive player relative to his team for almost his entire career.

His point totals were suppressed this year due to an on-ice shooting percentage under 9%.

Since January 1st he had an extremely unlucky sub 3% individual shooting percentage.


Regardless, his points / 60 this year is 2.05 which is good first line production.

Bottom line is that while Duclair did have a very hot streak and a very cold steak, he still put up first line numbers on a terrible team. He's had a great breakout season, don't let one cold streak cloud your judgement. He isn't a great defensive player, but he's better without the puck than many players who routinely get praise. He has always been super-underrated, and now he's getting the respect he deserves.
- James_Tanner

So you are saying that there is and never has been anything wrong with his overall game to the point where four other teams (with very accomplished coaches) cut bait on him.

You cannot be so dense as to think that these advanced stats are the only means to evaluate players. You trot out all of these contrarian theories to either get people to argue with you or to try and bring to light a non-mainstream point of view. Either way, at least don't be a pud and dismiss anyone else's viewpoint without addressing their arguments (i.e. "you should know better").

You lost me a while ago when you said that David Runblad was anything close to a serviceable hockey player. I try to stoke additional conversation in general, but you just seem to ignore anything that goes against your stated point. Blah.