Jeremy Roenick on Player Attitudes, "Are Players Too Comfortable Because They Make Too Much Money?"
The world of sports is vastly different now than it was a mere 10 years ago. That is because the worldwide attention on players and teams has drawn far more lucrative deals for teams. The NHL is no different, but there appears to be a steep decline between big contracts and how a star should operate every week.
Jeremy Roenick brought this up during this week's Snipes and Strikes Podcast.
"It's a different world mentally. It's a different world preparation-wise. It's a different world grit-wise. And I think a little bit of pride-wise, too. I think pride, you know, having pride in the way you play, having pride in the way that you're at your seat, how you prepare, how you work. And I just think that that they just don't care as much because they got their money. They have to worry about a thing for the rest of your life. I mean, they're an easy street. There's no fear."
Via Jeremy Roenick, Snipes and Stripes
Roenick is alluding to star players like Nikita Kucherov not wanting to do much of anything during the All-Star game. To be fair, there is a real risk and reward for that game in that players might get hurt, which would be devastating.
"It's a different world. The players today are better players. They're faster, they're stronger, they're more talented. That's fine. I don't mind them getting paid a lot of money. They should get paid a lot....But what comes with a lot of money comes a lot of responsibility and a responsibility to give an honest effort, work hard, and be prepared to work hard every single night, not just showing up whenever you feel like it."
Via Jeremy Roenick, Snipes and Stripes
Roenick could also still be referencing the "selfish" comments made by Drew Doughty of the LA Kings, and how players like Pierre Luc-Dubois not pulling their weight in terms of a team-first mentality.
Player contracts are at an all-time high, but it's never great to see someone giving up once they land their rightful big contract.
Roenick and Tim Peel also talk about the superstars that still give it their all like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Brad Marchand. They may be few and far between, but the superstars are driven by something other than money—and that's to be the best at what they do.
