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smidget316

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Forum: Armchair-GMJan. 22, 2019 at 12:55 p.m.
Thread: Slight Center Shoreup
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>DomCholette</b></div><div>WHAT'S WRONG WITH WENNBERG???
Stepan is on the decline... probably better on the 3rd.</div></div>

What is wrong with Wennberg.
Where to begin.

Wennberg was the heir apparent to the 1C spot a few years ago, and represented himself well in the first full year.
He is a good 2 way center, has good vision, and sometimes makes spectacular plays.
They gave him $4.9M per year (almost 2C type money), but got a team discount because of his shortcomings...

Wennberg, absolutely, positively, without a doubt, is afraid to SHOOT THE PUCK ON GOAL.
He cannot bring himself to propel the puck using his stick to anywhere near the net...always opting to pass to teammates (even when no shooting lane) or curl/drag/stall for better passing lane, or dump it in.
The problem is, he will never score more than 10 goals in a season. Scratch that, 5 goals.

They have studied film with him.
Given him extra drills.
Worked with him incessantly to shoot more.
They have begged.
They have pleaded.
They have given him incentives to just shoot more.
The next step (of last resort) is a canine shock collar, to zap him every time he gets near the O zone and ends up passing, dumping, or curl/stall for passing lanes to open on a bona fide shooting opportunity.

Or maybe just a change of scenery.
Different coaching staff.
Different players.
Maybe a players only meeting with him (in the locker room where they put him against a wall and shoot pucks at him with no pads for 15 minutes (A Few Good Men....CODE RED, anyone?).

He is quickly becoming a younger version of Dubinsky, without the physical presence, passion, or faceoff winning %.
So basically, he is playing himself to worthlessness and obscurity.
He doesn't hurt the Jackets, but he really isn't helping either.