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We can’t begin to tell you how often we hear
hockey poolies bemoan their high selections in their pools that are outright
killing them. You know the ones, third, second and maybe even third round
draft picks that you thought were locks for HUGE seasons, and have turned
out…well…to be less than player should be at that spot in your draft. In
the infamous words of a recent former president – “we feel your pain!
Over the next two weeks, we look at a list of guys that potentially fit this
category, why they maybe be struggling and what you can do about it to
minimize the impact.
Alex Tanguay:
Similar to exciting Chris Drury, when Peter Forsberg decided to take
his pucks and skates and head home to Sweden, we thought a major beneficiary
of the extra ice-time was going to be Alex Tanguay – er…so we thought.
But unlike Drury, Tanguay’s decline has not been as substantial,
but is still noticeable – with only 7 goals and 24 points in 33 games, far
off his pace of 27 goals in 82 games of last year.
Tanguay has moved from playing regularly on Joe Sakic’s left side,
to actually watching a few games from the press box as a healthy scratch
this year. Finally, top
Tanguay’s slow start with his name being the one most likely headed to
Chicago as the center-piece for Tony Amonte and well…you get the picture
– its been a tough season so far for him.
So, what happened to Tanguay to make him fall so far from NHL budding
stardom? Well, lets see.
First, the absence of Forsberg, and the Avalanche’s team collective
poor start placed pressure on Tanguay that he was unaccustomed too.
Poolies must remember, this will be only his third year in the NHL.
Also remember, he’s only 21 years old.
Tanguay has had the pleasure and protection of playing with Sakic,
Forsberg, Bourque, Roy, and Claude Lemieux – veterans that were the focus
of most teams and Tanguay was able to contribute greatly at times, almost in
obscurity. This year, those days
are over. Secondly, Tanguay’s
poor start has led to a severe lack of confidence.
As a result, he’s played the majority of the time this year playing
on the perimeter – not using his speed and smarts driving to the net.
Lastly, back to the age thing. At
21 years of age, he’s enjoyed a huge amount of success at a young age,
while not having to bear the brunt of carrying the Avalanche.
With Forsberg out of the line-up, Adam Foote injured until recently,
Rob Blake in and out of the line-up, its been an adjustment to be relied
upon more in the past that Tanguay has…well, dropped the ball on.
We think being one of the invitees to the Canadian Olympic Team
Orientation camp also has a negative effect on young Tanguay.
Over-confidence may have been a contributing factor to his initial
slow start, and when he couldn’t turn it on – well, the proof is in the
stats.
And, similar to Drury, know you the poolie would like to know what to do
with the under-achieving Tanguay. Unlike
Drury, we think you should keep him. Tanguay’s
numbers aren’t great – but they aren’t wretched, and he does show
signs of coming out of his slow start. Recent
play has him focused on his defensive game, and that’s a good starting
point for Tanguay – an under-rated defender to start.
Latest rumors have Forsberg skating and eyeing a return to the
Avalanche line-up. If that
happens, Tanguay goes back to his more familiar role as excellent support
player to the bigger stars on the team, and that’s fine by him.
Dump him now and that may be a trade that comes back to haunt you.
Even if he does gets traded (which we highly doubt) Tanguay will be
on the top two lines on his next team – and benefit from even more added
ice-time and another years’ experience.
Next stop – Anaheim.
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