Most if not all of you know who Ned Braden is. He was the star player in the greatest sports movie ever made, Slapshot. Ned had a small problem. He was an outstanding skill player on a team of goons. And he refused to play the goon game. Despite being their best player, coach Reggie Dunlap benched him until he played a 'team game'.
May I introduce you to Mr Tyler Seguin. The modern day Ned Braden. The #2 pick behind Taylor Hall has been a healthy scratch more often that not. Including every playoff game except the last two. Coach Julien says he "has not learned the Boston style of play" and... " he will not play the Bruin way." What he means is that Tyler....
will not play like this. Dr Hook Tim McCracken.
His hand forced by injuries, Julien hasa let Seguin play despite his lack of goonery... and Tyler has responded by scoring 3 goals and 3 assists in 2 games. By far Boston's most talented player, Tyler electrified the home crowd during a 4 point second period tonight on route to a 6-5 win over Tampa Bay.
Coach Julien has said with Patrice Bergeron returning for game 3, it's no guarantee that the inexperienced youngster will play.
He better.
If Boston wants to beat the more talented Lightning, they had better play Seguin, and they had better ride him the whole way.
Because if Tyler gets tired of the zoo.... it can only lead to this....
and I'm just not ready for that.
4 comments:
Heh, great post, I would think that he absolutely has to play him now.
Claude Julien never struck me as that great of a coach. Remember when the Devils were in first place, and yet Julien got fired before the playoffs started. It makes you wonder.
If Julien scratches Seguin for the rest of the series, then the B's deserve to lose and Julien deserves to lose his job. As a coach, you have to manage the assets you are given.
Besides, Jean Beliveau never fought. Or Ray Bourque. There were others who could do it.
Please scratch Seguin. He's in over his head...yeah that's the ticket.
I agree , this is a great post--but scratch Seguin, I need Tampa Bay to win in 6
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