Quote:
Originally Posted by JonQuixote
He does get smoked a lot. I suspect it's some combination of being targeted by other teams and the fact that he hangs onto the puck too long.
As for why he hangs onto the puck too long, is it because he lacks the hockey sense to get rid of it or that he doesn't trust his teammates to do anything worth a damn with it?
I suspect that being essentially an only child here has prevented Hemsky from getting rid of some bad habits. Ales vs. The World.
Anyway, the way he gets battered is really one of his best qualities. It doesn't seem to put him off his game - if anything, it seems to wake him up. Some joker earlier in this thread was talking about how soft Hemsky was, but it's clear he's never really watched him. He doesn't dish it out, but man can he take it.
When Hemsky gets traded or signs elsewhere, the fans on his new team are going to really enjoy a holy **** moment. He's a wonderful player to watch.
A little maddening too, but is that just who he is or is it the result of him being on an island here as far as having talent to play with. What would a Vanek or Semin or Elias look like if they were surrounded by the pluggers and babes that Hemsky's been given as linemates during the last few years, his "prime" years?
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Pretty much the post of the thread! Well said as always JQ.
There are so many misconceptions about Hemsky. But claims that he is soft almost automatically prove that the poster has never really seen him play. The guy can take punishment, no question. And he is certainly fearless. Moreover, on the Oilers of the last five years it has been pretty clear who you need to target to eliminate any offensive threat.
At his very best Hemsky is comparable with all but the top few players in the league. He has sublime talent. To me it is a mystery why he does not consistently score 30 goals per year, given the number of highlight reel-type goals he does score. So I agree that any team getting Hemsky will get the 'wow factor". But I also think that you have hit on his greatest weakness as well. For a guy with amazing passing skills, he simply does not use other players very well. He holds on to the puck so long that everyone else ends up standing still. Bad habit or lack of hockey sense? I honestly do not know. But whatever the reason, Hemsky has never been able to consistently play to the level his talent suggest he could. Personally, I am not sure he ever will, but I guess there is always next year.
