Quote (Hizkuntza @ Dec 15 2019 11:10pm)
Watching Myers play more and more reminded me of when Michael Peca laid the hammer on Jay Bouwmeester - Peca noted that even though Bouw was a big, smooth skating player he was so damn soft, predictable and non-competitive that he was very easy to play against. Whatever the room temperature equivalent of a hockey player is, Myers is that guy. I didn't realize that at the beginning of the season, but it makes perfect sense now
.
https://twitter.com/BoestMode/status/1206415165312290816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1206415165312290816&ref_url=https://s9e.github.io/iframe/2/twitter.min.html#1206415165312290816The Pacioretty goal against encapsulates that perfectly. Even though it was technically Gaudette's fault for not properly covering for Myers while he came back from pinching, the problem was that there was no reason for Myers to stop taking strides at all, outside of conserving energy. Even if he can't keep up 100% the pass could've been intercepted or maybe Stone doesn't even make the pass because of Myers' coverage.
Which makes me wonder whoever was responsible to watch Myers tapes before advising Benning actually did their job. This signing isn't even like Eriksson's where you actually expected a better player - I just don't see it how Myers could be remotely worth the money outside of some grossly outdated fantasy about him using his size and mobility.
/rant
Terrible.
I knew going in that his defensive play was suspect. I was worried about the length of his contract.
Despite that I was optimistic about this signing because he would get a chance to show he could play a bigger role, showcase his ability to jump into the play and add another dynamic to d core.
I was also optimistic that management believed in this team enough to sign free agents. As I have said before though, signing free agents is usually a bad deal for whatever team signs the FA. When you have so many teams bidding you are forced to overpay.
I was pumped when Myers jumped in and scored the big goal vs Buffalo a few games ago. It was a great pinch that paid off. Those are the kind of gamebreaking plays we need to win close games.
The problem is he is a gambreaker that is on the wrong side far too often. Seeing a 6'8 230 pound man lose a battle in the corner is crushing..... especially when he does it with such frequency against players 30 pounds lighter and a half a foot shorter.
On that particular play you posted he may have been completely gassed seeing it was a long shift that he pinched in on. That being said it is still awful to see and it is not the first time he has been caught out of position.
Despite his size Myers can't shake the reputation as being a soft player who is unable or unwilling to battle in the corners with the intensity needed to win close games.
Down the stretch you will see playoff like hockey. You need players with grit who can grind out a win. Myers does not appear to be that guy.
The team has other problems but when you are 6'8 the mistakes you make on the ice are glaring.
This post was edited by Killingyouall on Dec 16 2019 08:55am