GDB 73: Hemsky's 'outburst' nothing to worry about
Jason Gregor
March 24 2009 02:20PM
With ten games to go and sitting somewhat comfortably in 7th place, you would think life is grand yet everything is not rosy in Oilerville.
The Oilers best player is unhappy.
Ales Hemsky told Dan Barnes, “I’m just trying to do exactly what they want. I’m becoming a checker. We’re just doing what we have to do to win games. I’m not complaining. I just don’t feel as important as I did before when they were riding me.”
I spoke with Hemsky today and he reiterated that he is more frustrated than complaining.
“I was a little down. I want to play better and help the team make the playoffs. This is not a time to feel sorry for yourself. I have to focus on the last ten games and be better.
“I don’t feel that everything is right. Every player wants to be used more, that is why you play hockey. I don’t regret saying it. That is how I felt and I said it, but the bottom line is now is not the time for me to feel bad about my game.”
It might not be the best time to feel bad about your game, but I think it was the best time to voice his displeasure in how he is being used. For a long time you got the sense that Hemsky was happy being a good player, but that greatness wasn’t his main focus.
I wrote earlier this year that after a dominating performance v. Columbus that Hemsky was becoming great.
I spoke to him after that game and for the first time I felt he wanted to be great, and realized how much effort and hard work it would take. Hemsky’s skill set is top ten in the world, but his consistency and overall drive wasn’t.
His comments today and yesterday show me he wants to be that go-to-guy now, and rather than worry that he wants out, the organization should embrace his new attitude and channel it onto the ice.
His coach wasn’t that concerned.
“I find that players that are a little more difficult to manage, I’d rather have the difficulty managing players that will go play the game the hard way and go to the tough areas, than a guy who is super easy to manage and sometimes don’t go to those tough areas.
“I respect the way he plays. Character to me is how you react in certain situations on the ice. I’m totally supportive of the way he plays the game, and with the toughness that he plays the game.
“I’m not managing his ice time any differently lately. The last guy I really worry about confidence wise is him, because he is so skilled. He has been playing fine in my estimation. The way he has started the last few games, he has been outstanding. He hasn’t got anything offensively to show for it, but he has been playing fine.
“You look back after you hear the comments about the way he has been used, and I did sit him down in the Colorado game when we were up 7-1, and probably in hindsight maybe that should have been the time to play him, but I didn’t see him lacking confidence because he is still making plays.
“I support the player. I’ve had him for seven years. I understand where the player is coming from. These comments could be malicious at times, but I really don’t view it that way with him. You may think I’m just saying that because he is a good player and I’ve got to have a good relationship with my best player, but I’m not. I like the player and I always have. I owe him a lot, and he will have my support in this situation.”
So where do they go from here?
Hemsky and MacTavish had a conversation early in the year when Hemsky was struggling and he told the young Czech to just relax, and not worry about his stats because they would come. That convo happened before the Philly game, and then Hemsky went out and scored two highlight reel goals.
They spoke yesterday according to MacTavish and he stated it was good chat, and that he expects Hemsky to probably score tonight.
It is obvious that Hemsky is frustrated, and it is obvious the coach respects his game, but is it an easy situation to resolve? Yes. Play him more. Double shift him five-on-five, let him play the full two minutes on the PP if he wants.
I’m not sure how many of you have noticed, but Hemsky has gone down to block shots three times in the past two weeks. I asked him about it, and he said he admitted that for the first time he would be interested in a few PK shifts here and there.
Hemsky finally wants to be the guy. Now it is up to the coach to give him more responsibility.
Fourth line
Marc Pouliot draws in tonight for MacIntyre, and the Colossal Fossil starts again. Former Oiler Ty Conklin gets the nod for the Wings. Conklin came to Detroit to be the back up, but with Osgood’s season-long struggles continuing, Conklin might be their guy come playoff time.
Conklin is 24-9-2 with a 2.44 GAA and .911 SV%, compared to Osgood who is 24-6-7 with an ugly 3.18 GAA and woeful .884 SV%.
David S wrote:
This is a blog. That sentence is implied... or can be applied to every single comment. Do you take issue with my assertion that MacT has made some down right nutty linup decisions?
Chris wrote:
Yeah. However I'll admit I wonder sometimes too. But I know jack about NHL coaching and I'm not in the locker room, nor do I have a microphone on the bench so anything I said would probably be wrong anyways.
~Just like MacT drew it up~
Grebeshkov for Norris!
Hemsky Hemsky Hemsky nice pass
Hemsky's gonna have a quiet night. Can see it already. Frustrating 5 on 3 but I'm super glad they got on 5 on 4. Pheeeeew
Good period. Last time the Oilers played these guys they never touched the puck... I hope they can keep it up. Whole team has looked pretty good overall the last five games.
#77 misses a GOLDEN opportunity. How do you should that wide for Christ's sake?
Sweet, sweet Ferraro. Man I miss that guy.
Haha should. Ment shoot.
Archaeologuy wrote:
This is approaching mind numbing. Is he also responsible for Gilbert and Grebs for "over achieving"? Their is no logical way you can link players performance one way or another back to a coach without at a minimum seeing how they performed under different coaches.
Chris wrote:
Interesting example, but they also came off one of their more fruitful (point wise) periods of the season.
@ Ogden Brother: I never said anything about Gilbert or Grebs, and the only thing mind numbing here is your logic. You are so stuck on the idea that no one can be labelled as under-achieving without first playing under someone else that you're missing the whole point.
I mean, basicly what youre saying is that as long as MacT is the coach no one can ever underachieve, they can only achieve. I hope your minor in philosophy has served you better than it is here, because it is extremely flawed. I mean, try extrapolating from your premise. No coach would ever be fired, because no one knows how people would react to a different coach.
You actually just wrote that player performance and coaching are not linked in any way. I cant even begin to cover that one.
Do you really think no one has underachieved this season? If that's truly what you think then this team has killed your hope and sense of optimism. Horc was on a point per game streak last season, now he's half that. If that isnt underachievement then I guess i misunderstand the word.
Wasn't MacT Horc's coach last season? You know, when he was on a point per game streak?
@ David S: Yeah, he sure was, also led the team out of the playoffs.
Maybe the NHL will let Horcoff submit his points from last year for this year, why dont you ask Bettman?
The question wasnt did Horc do well under MacT in 2007/2008 it was is Horc underachieving THIS season. MacT hating aside, I'm contending with Ogden Brother's belief that no one is underachieving this season.
Ogden Brother wrote:
Exactly... The Oilers won three straight AFTER MacT put Kotalik back on the right side and O'Sullivan with Hemsky. (Somthing he should have done the day these guys arrived) Why did the Oilers have to lose 4 of 5 games before MacT corrected his horrendous linup decision? Why make such a stupid decision in the first place? (A decision that probably cost this team a couple of wins) What happens if the Oilers miss the postseason by a point or two? Isn't it time MacT acknowledged his misuse of the two newest Oilers? Reminds me of the start of the season... Me screaming at the TV...watching Cole tring to drive the net, unable to use his body to protect the puck... or watching Pisani struggle at center...AAAAAAGGGHHHH!
I think Roloson has been replaced by a super bionic cyborg. Seriously- he cost 6 million dollars!!!
@ Archaeologuy: @ David S:
Ladies, ladies - You're both pretty. Now watch the game and shh...
Another great decision... the fourth line out against Datsyuk and Hossa in a one goal game... Brilliant MacT. Brilliant.
@ Amber McCormick: I wouldn't pay that much. Not in this new economic reality. :O
Word wrote:
Werd Word.
Wow Souray!
David S wrote:
That's what she said
@ bingofuel: I'm not talking real dollars. I'm talking about superhero currency. He's blocking shots like a caucasian Ganesh.
How are we still tied? It looks like the Harlem Globetrotters playing the Franklin Falcons - and we're the Falcons.
Chris wrote:
Your probably right on that
@ Amber McCormick: Bahahahaha, wicked. But aren't you thinking of Vishnu, with the many arms?
I wonder if Hemsky has stick check nightmares.
Geeze Nilsson...Do you WANT a hooking minor?
Word wrote:
I am rather dashing
@ bingofuel: Both Ganesh and Vishnu had 4 arms. I prefer Ganesh because Ganesh is often dancing. Much like Roli. He's a dance dance dance dance dancing machine watch him get down!
I've had way too much coffee today.
Nooooooooooooo
DAMMIT!!!!!!!!
Hossa. It had to be Hossa.
Any1 who did not see that coming from the 10 minute mark of the 1st period was sleeping.
That one by the way was on the guy who thinks the team should be leaning on him.
@ Rev:
Yep.
What just happened?!?!?!?! Oh noooooooo
Aww crap.
Geez Nilsson makes the sweet feeds.
Kotalik my balls Detroit!
Dammit!
You know, it's almost like Babcock rubs the right side of his nose, the boys get the signal and it's over. At least we sorta made a game of it. Well Roli did anyways.
Thank God the Oil are back on the road!
@ Amber McCormick:
MY balls?
And the 83 line comes up dry again.
A waterboy quote is fitting - "OH NO!!! we SUCK AGAIN!"
And isn't Danny "I tie my own shoes" Tencer the biggest MacT apologist? The Oil better start paying him for his MacT defending and damage control (if they don't already).
Archaeologuy wrote:
ugh, Horc production flips year to year. .7 PPG - .9 PPG guess what? He's right in that range.
You have to have a bar set to under achieve, you posted a list of random players trying to prove your point, the list was non-sense... that was my point
Chris wrote:
My underlying point is: It's fun to banter on message boards and call in shows about what a coach should and shouldn't be doing, but to actually believe any of us arm chair MVP's is "right" when it comes to coaching or managing a proffesional team more often then the odd fluke added by hindsight is beyond laughable.