I think sometimes fans put athletes on too high of a pedestal and forget that they are just people. Take away the huge paychecks and their ability to play a sport at a professional level and there isn't much separation between "them" and "us". Signing big contracts worth millions of dollars isn't going to instantly make that player a better hockey player. Vanek didn't magically become a better hockey player all because he signed that huge contract. They are human beings, and they, like everyone else, have other distractions and priorities going on in their world that can leave them unfocused and take away from their peformance on the ice.

I feel as though sometimes fans have this chip on their shoulder and they think that certain players or a sports organization as a whole "owes" them something. They want to see these multimillionaire athletes competiting at a top level each and every night. Dare to dream.

Without getting into too much detail, I have had certain jobs in my career that were pretty lucrative and I ALWAYS felt an obligation to my employers to go all-out at all times, not calling in sick when I really should have, etc. Why the dedication? Two reasons: Professionalism AND a feeling that I owed my employers who were paying me an amount of money that you feel lucky to be paid.

THAT is why I get annoyed hearing about "motivation". For $85,000 per game, you better leave it all on the ice EVERY NIGHT. And I don't really mean to just single out Vanek.

Yes, athletes are only human, but humans can go apeshit trying to score and/or win a battle EVERY NIGHT. THAT is what they are paid to do. Anything less is unprofessional.

I think sometimes fans put athletes on too high of a pedestal and forget that they are just people. Take away the huge paychecks and their ability to play a sport at a professional level and there isn't much separation between "them" and "us". Signing big contracts worth millions of dollars isn't going to instantly make that player a better hockey player. Vanek didn't magically become a better hockey player all because he signed that huge contract. They are human beings, and they, like everyone else, have other distractions and priorities going on in their world that can leave them unfocused and take away from their peformance on the ice.

I feel as though sometimes fans have this chip on their shoulder and they think that certain players or a sports organization as a whole "owes" them something. They want to see these multimillionaire athletes competiting at a top level each and every night. Dare to dream.

if you youre going to use they are paid to be motivated, then i'll counter with they are paid because the are talented

I think some of their players are more talented then they even realize, take for example Roy. How in the fuck has he never scored 100 points in an NHL season? I just don't know how that has not happened. Then again Kovalev never did either. Myers has no idea how much he can thoroughly dominate the NHL. Miller is kind of aware of his Awesomeness, but I think even he knows he can be even more consistent. Vanek is a guy who needs some arrogance or swagger in his game, he's got 50 goal talent. Lethal shot power, quick release, great hands, and most importantly he loves the front of the net. To get 40 you have to go hard to the net and he does. He should have 3-5 by now.

They got a few players that are highly overrated, but I'm not gonna name names.

They haven't found their legs yet, I think the skilled guys need a couple of games with TOO MUCH ice time. They need better conditioning.

I think you hit the nail on the head with Vanek, XPF. Of course, it's well known that his confidence issue is what will determine what kind of season he has. If he ever discovers his arrogance or swagger, watch out.

I think some of their players are more talented then they even realize, take for example Roy. How in the fuck has he never scored 100 points in an NHL season? I just don't know how that has not happened. Then again Kovalev never did either. Myers has no idea how much he can thoroughly dominate the NHL. Miller is kind of aware of his Awesomeness, but I think even he knows he can be even more consistent. Vanek is a guy who needs some arrogance or swagger in his game, he's got 50 goal talent. Lethal shot power, quick release, great hands, and most importantly he loves the front of the net. To get 40 you have to go hard to the net and he does. He should have 3-5 by now.

They got a few players that are highly overrated, but I'm not gonna name names.

They haven't found their legs yet, I think the skilled guys need a couple of games with TOO MUCH ice time. They need better conditioning.

You know, sometimes it takes 8 years before a single player becomes great.

Not every star player is born overnight as you are trying to say.

Ryan Miller was not what he was early in his career, he showed the promise and finally has delivered what we hoped he could be.

Luongo was terrible early in his career but he is a guy you can count on to win games for them.

Not everyone is going to be a Crosby, Ovechkin, Stamkos, or Lemuiex and basically score 50 goals in a single year or 100 points their second year.

Honestly, we say Kane and Toews are superstar players, right? Shouldn't the superstar players be over a PPG by this time in their career. 3 years into the league and neither are PPG players yet.

Hossa, isn't he a superstar? He's not a PPG player either in his career.

I mean, it does take a few years for certain players to really peak. Vanek is not old and is probably just hitting his prime this year or next. He has already scored 43 goals in one year, he can surely do it again if he just gets that swagger he needs. Roy is a guy who should be over a PPG with the way he has been playing this year, and actually watch out for Stafford to even have a good year. We all seem to forget Stafford is only 24, and only on his second NHL contract.

You sound like Darcy.

You also sound like you're talking about a bunch of rookies who have just broken into the league and their future is there for the taking. Fact is, a number of these guys, particularly Vanek and Roy, are in their mid-upper 20's. More likely than not, if you aren't setting the world on fire by that time in most sports, you're not going to.

And what makes you say Vanek is a 50-goal scorer? Where did that come from? He's never done that and there's no indication he ever will. He's been in the league for 7 years and is a habitually streaky player.

There are tons more "very talented" players in all sports who never do very well because of many different physical or mental reasons. The great names in sports either don't have these issues or overcome them early-on.

The reason I said you sound like Darcy is because you are talking yourself out of the need to make key changes to the core of this team. THAT has been and remains essential if this team is to be an actual, not incidental, cup contender.