Bourque has earned 4million$ in 2011-12, he will earn 3m$ next year and in 2013-14 4m$, how's that... we get a 1m$ rebate next year.
The guy is the worst example of a poor sport to have played in Montreal since Mike Ribeiro. He whines a lot, probably complains like a real B*** when he gets home to his wife, he has no clue what to do on the ice and probably dreams of seeing homy oil sands again.
But can the beast be tempered? It's probably a waste to give him away for some random pick or another Hamilton talent. What if by some miracle he comes out next year and scores 25 goals and 25 assists.
His defensive play is terrible, with 76 games in Montreal that's a -32 +/- rating.
What does he need? a kick in the butt, Randy Cunneyworth wasn't the type and I'm afraid few coaches might be able to push him, but I think it's possible.
If I was GM I'd base my decision on a coin toss, what about you?
give him another chance. 38 games on a last place team isn't a great sample size. ideally, he should be playing third line. maybe DD would like as his winger?
yes he has been playing terribly but what are the odds he suddenly loses his talent and never plays well again? like gomez? oh****....
I think Bourque was badly miscast and in way over his head on Plekanec wing on the line taking the toughest defensive minutes. Although I've been very unimpressed with his play (and what I read about him in Calgary when the trade was made was also discouraging) I think if you put him in a soft-minutes, Ville Leino role he can contribute something.
Put him with Desharnais and Leblanc on a line playing against bottom-6 players and getting a tonne of offensive zone faceoffs and he can probably give you something, hopefully produce and get some sort of trade value so you can flip him and maybe find someone better.
Would like to see him moved before his contract is up. His value is pretty low right now so I'd rather give him a chance to have a better start and then either move him at the deadline or the draft next year depending how useful he could be if we make the playoffs.
Trade him he had more than 15 goals this year, I don't think he can repeat it. Even if he can, he'll be a liability on the ice because of his lack of effort.
Completely over him. Didn't play with heart, Didn't play with intensity, Didn't really skate on the back-check, and he played liked that for 90% of time he was here. I wouldn't be surprised one bit, if he had some personal issues or something going on, never seemed focus.
Last edited by hockeyman: 04-09-2012 at 01:36 AM.
Reason: grammmmmmmmmmer
Completely over him. Didn't play with heart, Didn't play with intensity, Didn't really skate on the back-checkand, and he played liked that for 90% of time he was here. I wouldn't be surprised one bit, if he had some personal issues or something going on, never seemed focus.
I'd trade him to the Oilers for a 3rd, that's his home area anyway.. he's useless to us!
You must be pin-pointing Gomez-Campoli and Bourque, I also think the lack of leadership and the young and inexperienced team is probably the biggest reason for this horrible season. I did misread your point but it's clear that not only Gomez-Campoli-Bourque are responsable, the whole team was.
He has had a brief stint on a team in total disarray with a coach who doesn't belong as a head coach. I am willing to give him another shot. If he can't do it put him on the third line no big deal.
Good player who can crash the net and stand up for himself, he has a bit of a mean streak and a big body. He is the exact copy of AKost, same consistency issues and ceiling.
I've seen nothing from him to make me think he's a poor sport, that he complains a lot or that he whines when he comes back home.
You may not like the player, but leave the person out of it. I think he was given fair chances and he didn't make the most of it. I was disappointed that while he wasn't producing, he wasn't at least playing more physical. That's how you build your confidence back up.
He looked disinterested, but the fact is, we're stuck with that contract for a while. Might as well give him another chance, in a new role, under a new coach, under a different system. Who knows, he could bounce back. You don't score 27 goals two seasons in a row without talent and perseverance.
I've seen nothing from him to make me think he's a poor sport, that he complains a lot or that he whines when he comes back home.
You may not like the player, but leave the person out of it. I think he was given fair chances and he didn't make the most of it. I was disappointed that while he wasn't producing, he wasn't at least playing more physical. That's how you build your confidence back up.
He looked disinterested, but the fact is, we're stuck with that contract for a while. Might as well give him another chance, in a new role, under a new coach, under a different system. Who knows, he could bounce back. You don't score 27 goals two seasons in a row without talent and perseverance.
I think his brawl with Cunneyworth was proof of what I'm speculating he did built himself a reputation in Calgary of not giving a full effort and certainly wasn't in Montreal, thus being a poor sport.
I've seen nothing from him to make me think he's a poor sport, that he complains a lot or that he whines when he comes back home.
You may not like the player, but leave the person out of it. I think he was given fair chances and he didn't make the most of it. I was disappointed that while he wasn't producing, he wasn't at least playing more physical. That's how you build your confidence back up.
He looked disinterested, but the fact is, we're stuck with that contract for a while. Might as well give him another chance, in a new role, under a new coach, under a different system. Who knows, he could bounce back. You don't score 27 goals two seasons in a row without talent and perseverance.
You speak in riddles.
I disagree with that last part, I didn't see any of that from him. As well from what I heard in Calgary he didn't show much of it either and was considered a some what of floater for the last year in a half.
He hit a couple of posts when he arrived here. Could've changed everything.
Unless you have GOD given talent like Crosby or Malkin, you never look at a hockey player by stats. Besides this is the East you have to be a 2-way guy.
