How many times in a post-game press conference have we heard, “We just weren’t ready to play,” or something along those lines? If you said “more times than I can remember,” then you’d be correct. In continuing with the “overreacting” theme put forward in yesterdays’ post by Pale Dragon, I’m going to do the same in questioning the leadership group of this team.
Every team in the league has games where they simply come out flat and just can’t get into gear, but it seems like a common occurrence with these Blue Jackets over the last few years. Even if not condoned, it could be almost understandable that a Monday night game in January may not have the most intensity from the guys, but the trend has already began just three games into this young season with the team showing very poorly in two of them. Mistakes, rust and a learning curve is to be expected for a team that has a new coach, new teammates and multiple players returning to game action from lengthy injuries, but consistently being out hustled and losing puck battles has no excuse and is extremely concerning.
The “youth” of the team is also a tired excuse since it seems to be the main one given each and every year to explain this teams’ lack of mental toughness and inability hold a lead or withstand a pushback from opponents.
So what gives?
I’m willing to give new head coach Pascal Vincent a pass — at this time — since the jury is still out and will be for a while on him. He seems to be saying and more importantly doing the right things to try and correct this issue. Lord willing, practices like these should not only help the boys physically, but mentally as well.
Coaches are typically the first to take the blame when it comes to their team underperforming, but at some point it has to fall on the leadership group. This leads me to ask the question if this leadership group can lead this team to success. The players claim that the team has lots of leaders who don’t wear a letter, but for the sake of this article I’ll focus on those who do. But in reality, does a team have any leaders if everyone is supposed to be one?
I won’t question the heart of Boone or his assistant captains, but there are a few reasons that make me wonder whether or not there is something missing from the voices in the room.
Personality
So this section is 100% pot calling the kettle black. I’m not necessarily a leader by personality, so I get the irony of critiquing anybody else, but here we go anyways.
I’ve wondered for some time if the personality of Boone Jenner and Zach Werenski are conducive to a strong and functional room. When Brad Larsen was fired, players and management had said that the “standard had slipped” in the locker room. As leaders, I’d say it is just as much on them that they would allow the standard to dip to such lows regardless if the coach was enforcing it. Yes, Werenski gets a pass from last year since he wasn’t around for much of it, but it’s not like the team was playing particularly well in the 13 games he did play. He then pretty much stayed away from the team altogether while injured, which isn’t too uncommon for injured players, but maybe his presence could have helped such a young and inexperienced defensive corps.
Both Jenner and Werenski both seem to be more mild mannered guys — at least off the ice. Obviously, I’m not in the locker room, but it’s hard to imagine either of them delivering a rousing speech, or tearing into the team on one of those nights where they can’t get going. There have been so many intermissions in which I can only fantasize about the hell the guys are catching after a particularly dismal period. Maybe the coach does give it to them, but I can’t really picture either Jenner or Werenski doing it. Someone like Brandon Dubinsky played that role when he wore the A for years, and I don’t think it is completely a coincidence that those were easily the most competitive teams in the teams history.
As for Kuraly and Gudbranson? I could see them being the type of person who is capable of that. But should they? It’d be pretty hypocritical for a couple of guys with some of the worst advanced stats to be on the backs of players who are probably playing better than them.
Performance
We’ve all been there. I’d be willing to bet that at some point in our lives most of us have manager/team leader who were simply not that good at their job or are outdated and out of touch with how the workplace operates.
The Blue Jackets want to play fast and with skill, yet they have a 4th liner with the worst CF% (by far at 28.57%) and one of their worst defenseman as assistant captains. Both guys are also keen to taking untimely, and undisciplined penalties as well. It is hard to hold others accountable when you’re one of those who need to be.
I’m sure both are respected as men and veterans by their peers, but what are their main qualifications? They’re both handsome and well-spoken yet fiery guys, but beyond that I’m not sure. Kuraly has played in big games for a premier, original six organization and Gudbranson will occasionally punch people in the face while sticking up for teammates. Maybe it’s just me, but the bar seems a bit low.
Leaders of Tomorrow
Thankfully, I think the next captain is on the roster already and will be the captain the team has never had. He will be the “rink rat”, the relentless worker, always striving to make himself and his teammates better. He won’t be afraid to use his voice and speak up when needed, and will be respected enough to have others take heed. Obviously, I believe he will have the skills and talent to really lead by his performance on the ice. Of course, I’m talking about Adam Fantilli.
Yeah, he’s only 19, but it was pretty clear the day he was drafted that he would be the future, perhaps even the next captain of this team. When I think of some of the best captains in the league, many of them are also the team’s best player. Crosby, McDavid, Mackinnon (de facto captain) all come to mind as some of the best leaders in the league by being relentless workers and vocal leaders all while being the best player on the team. I know being the best player doesn’t always go hand-in-hand with being a great captain, but it carries more weight and definitely helps.
I’m not saying it should be this year by any means, but it’s clear the next generation of leaders are here and perhaps the sooner they are given the keys the better. We hear so much from the players about how good and how special the group of guys is, but we need to see results sooner rather than later.
What do you think? Does this leadership group have what it takes to get this team to the next level? Or are we just in a holding pattern until we enter the Fantilli era?