Thomas Vanek has 18 goals this season and is on a pace for his lowest total since his rookie season with 27. He's has years of 43, 36 and 40 goals so this season has been one big frustration for him. He did score in his final game before the Olympic break giving him 7 goals and 9 assists in his last 18 games. He joined us on the postgame show after the Sharks win and the last thing he said was that maybe he can use this break to learn how to score goals again. Now that the break is over Vanek said, "The break was nice, I went away a little bit with the family, but it's nice to be back and rejuvenate. I'm really looking forward to the last 20 here. I think starting off fresh can help. It's nice to get away, see a different scenery for a few days, just hang out with the family and not worry about hockey. I feel good now and hopefully the last twenty-some games here I can really kick it into another gear."
As I said earlier, points have been coming at a better pace for the winger for about a month. He's on a pace for 58 points and has averaged 66 points throughout his career. Vanek said of the current streak, "The last three weeks or so have been going better, but still, I'm disappointed at not putting my chances away. The San Jose game I could've had three or four and I ended up with one which was nice, but I think I'm leaving a lot out there so I'm just trying to work on it in practice, trying to score goals in practice and it will hopefully carry over."
He works hard and he shows great effort the most games but the puck doesn't want to go into the net. A hot Vanek could do wonders to this teams. But at the moment it looks like an average 2.5 million NHL player.
Sounds like he used the break as a break. Considering how he was heating up while the rest of the team and defense was cooling down, it would be nice if the defense comes back up while he continues to put up points.
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I hope he starts really heating up for this stretch drive. I dont think Thomas will hit 40 goals this year but with 18 goals right now and 22 games left to play. He could possibly still get into the 25-30 range if he really gets going.
I hope he starts really heating up for this stretch drive. I dont think Thomas will hit 40 goals this year but with 18 goals right now and 22 games left to play. He could possibly still get into the 25-30 range if he really gets going.
Yes. I've read too much about Vanek saying he's done x y and z and how that is going to translate to a better game for him. I don't fault him at all for saying or trying, of course, but when you read it enough times it's less "Oh, cool!" and more "Y'ok."
Amen. I've tuned out most of what the players (other than Miller) say to the media because they never back up all of the acknowledgments they make about stepping it up; playing for 60 minutes; not taking undisciplined penalties; finishing their scoring chances, etc.
Vanek, in particular, has perfected this image of the humble, self-critical athlete that bemoans his own play and expresses frustration in his disappointing production. In the beginning, it was somewhat endearing to hear him accept blame and admit the truths everyone else saw but it's become such a broken record now that all of his media statements sound like a kid with a "woe is me" attitude.
It was very ironic to hear Miller's recent post-game rant about his teammates needing to stop acting like little kids when adversity occurs - he's been a teammate of not only Vanek but Roy and Pominville for 6+ seasons. All 3 of them may be the most repetitive in their media soundbytes stating the obvious. He's probably grown tired of hearing the same thing over and over from them and yet each rarely backs it up afterwards.
Amen. I've tuned most of what the players (other than Miller) say to the media because they never back up all of the acknowledgments they make about stepping it up; playing for 60 minutes; not taking undisciplined penalties; finishing their scoring chances, etc.
Vanek, in particular, has perfected this image of the humble, self-critical athlete that bemoans his own play and expresses frustration in his disappointing production. In the beginning, it was somewhat endearing to hear him accept blame and admit the truths everyone else saw but it's become such a broken record now that all of his media statements sound like a kid with a "woe is me" attitude.
It was very ironic to hear Miller's recent post-game rant about his teammates needing to stop acting like little kids when adversity occurs - he's been a teammate of not only Vanek but Roy and Pominville for 6+ seasons. All 3 of them may be the most repetitive in their media soundbytes stating the obvious. He's probably grown tired of hearing the same thing over and over from them and yet each rarely backs it up afterwards.
This.
At first I sort of felt bad for Vanek (massive contract aside), because it really did look like his slump was eating him up inside. But after so long, while he's put up a tad bit more numbers lately, he's still been the same underproductive Vanek who screws up a play more often than not. So I'm starting to think this whole 'pissed at himself' image he's been putting on is just a fasade. He's been the only guy who has been basically slumping the entire year. Roy probably comes in second, but even he had periods of time where he was racking up multiple points a night and doing all the good things (even though those periods of time were much shorter this season).
So I'm starting to think this whole 'pissed at himself' image he's been putting on is just a fasade.
There's a subtle advantage in taking the initiative by saying "I'm terrible" before the mass media get a chance to tell him "you're terrible". Many a politician have used the proactive approach when anticipating criticism and usually end up coming off better because they basically steal the thunder that the media want to hit them with. I'll give Vanek the benefit of the doubt that it's not as clearly premeditated on his part but he surely knows that he can take some heat off himself from the media if he immediately agrees with any criticism they're going to aim at him.
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Originally Posted by Foppa2189
He's been the only guy who has been basically slumping the entire year. Roy probably comes in second, but even he had periods of time where he was racking up multiple points a night and doing all the good things (even though those periods of time were much shorter this season).
I would argue that Pominville has been the biggest culprit of slumping from the start - in fact, his slump has been going on for two years now. He put up better points in the season following Briere's departure despite a drop in goals but since the 2008-09 season, he's been a blatant underachiever - far moreso than either Vanek or Roy IMO. Vanek and Roy at least have had their spurts where their efforts and production pick up before leveling off. I know that many will praise Pominville's work ethic but he has rarely accompanied that with decent production for which he is being paid the 3rd highest salary on the roster right now.
