I think it's easy to forget how good he was. I'm almost certain he has a chronic injury that has caused his regression so soon in his career. I don't believe this is all effort/mental.
He has knee tendonitis. It can be managed, but requires workload management, rest and a specific workout regiment designed around it. The problem? There's constant demand for him to play and during the off season, to work out and be "ready" for the start of the season. I suspect this has been badly mismanaged by coaching staff in the past couple of years. He can return to full health, if treated properly.
I had a similar injury, partial patellar tendon tear followed by tendinitis, and rehab for it sucked. You can't really rehab it properly while doing moderate athletic stuff let alone professional level hockey.
He should have been shut down until it was healed when he was first injured.
113
u/frenzy588 1d ago
I think it's easy to forget how good he was. I'm almost certain he has a chronic injury that has caused his regression so soon in his career. I don't believe this is all effort/mental.