Comments on: To the Scrap Heap! http://www.cowhideandrubber.com/to-the-scrap-heap It's mostly Habs talk here. Learn to like it. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:47:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: HabsWatch http://www.cowhideandrubber.com/to-the-scrap-heap/comment-page-1#comment-446 HabsWatch Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:56:49 +0000 http://www.cowhideandrubber.com/?p=380#comment-446 The ditch is full of prospects who had NHL caliber talent that didn't make it and most of them for the same variety of reasons; a lack of work ethic, heart, character, willingness to compete and mental toughness. All traits the public doesn't usually see beyond snapshots which are also very difficult to coach. These elements make up the x factor that can't be measured on the ice or in the weight room that they themselves are responsible to develop or grow out of. It's all part of morphing from a kid who's likely made it that far on pure talent into being a professional. The patience teams can have is somewhat limited due to the 50 contract rule so they can only wait so long before decisions must be made. In some cases, like it was with Ron Hainsey, a player matures late and saves their career elsewhere. Hainsey had great talent but zero work ethic and a personal cleanliness issue that was truly disturbing. The Habs eventually waived him after 3 more years in Hamilton changed nothing and he finally grew out of his disgusting habits elsewhere. Impossible to blame the Habs for giving up too soon yet they lost a solid NHL defenseman anyway. Fans can debate potential all they want but in the blameless society we live in today, it's easy to forget that the players have a responsibility to commit to what it takes to become a professional athlete and if they can't or won't a team has no choice but to eventually move on. The ditch is full of prospects who had NHL caliber talent that didn’t make it and most of them for the same variety of reasons; a lack of work ethic, heart, character, willingness to compete and mental toughness. All traits the public doesn’t usually see beyond snapshots which are also very difficult to coach. These elements make up the x factor that can’t be measured on the ice or in the weight room that they themselves are responsible to develop or grow out of.

It’s all part of morphing from a kid who’s likely made it that far on pure talent into being a professional. The patience teams can have is somewhat limited due to the 50 contract rule so they can only wait so long before decisions must be made. In some cases, like it was with Ron Hainsey, a player matures late and saves their career elsewhere.

Hainsey had great talent but zero work ethic and a personal cleanliness issue that was truly disturbing. The Habs eventually waived him after 3 more years in Hamilton changed nothing and he finally grew out of his disgusting habits elsewhere. Impossible to blame the Habs for giving up too soon yet they lost a solid NHL defenseman anyway.

Fans can debate potential all they want but in the blameless society we live in today, it’s easy to forget that the players have a responsibility to commit to what it takes to become a professional athlete and if they can’t or won’t a team has no choice but to eventually move on.

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