One of the most enigmatic parts of all of hockey is the player themselves. A living breathing entity that slaves on a frozen sheet of water for eighty-two games a season, the player is much more than a workhorse or just a hockey player. Like most humans, hockey players are all entitled to their emotions, while some try to keep them refined and candid, others tend to be more vocal and outspoken about how they feel.
Regarding the players puzzling behavior, the biggest and most bewildering is the “change of scenery” theory and why it works for some, but isn’t successful for others. As many Avalanche fans have seen so far this season, as well as other seasons, in the weeks following the trades there always seems to be some kind of immediate winner. While this illusion may induce panic, remorse, and for some, anger, it is important to remember that players emotions do impact their game, and just because a player leaves this team and performs well immediately, doesn’t mean that this team lost anything. Take for instance the Chris Stewart trade. While many Avalanche fans can see the immediate 4 goals and an assist in the four games Stewart has played for the Blues, people tend to be nearsighted in their judgment and forget who Chris Stewart is.
Chris Stewart as we all know is no stranger to the concept of “change of scenery.” It wasn’t too long ago that a 22-year-old Toronto-native was sitting on a bus headed to an arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The young Chris Stewart had just come off of a semi-productive 53 game rookie season the most offensively challenged team in the NHL, but for some reason he found himself in the minors, yet again. As we all can vividly remember, that same season Chris Stewart re-emerged from his ashes after being called back up and notched 28 goals and 64 points with his time on the team.
Chris Stewart’s emotions have always dictated his play. He’s one of the most verbal and antagonistic players the Avalanche have had in recent history, and it had always improved his performance. But what happens when that fire is extinguished? What happens when Chris Stewart has no heart left to play the game? As some recall, when Chris Stewart was in Juniors he actually quit hockey. While, neither I, nor anybody else could say for sure why, it was apparent that Stewart will always be an emotional person when it comes to the game of hockey, a love hate relationship if you will.
After his trade, yes Stewart shined and shined in Blue, but let us not forget and let it not impact your judgment that like many players, Chris Stewart is emotional. And when a surprising trade rips a 23 year old from his team, his fire is reignited. Don’t you remember Peter Mueller after getting traded to us how incredibly well he performed?
Coming into the deadline, we are all greeted with the same uncertainty. There is no such thing as a sure bet in any trade in the NHL regardless of how much “star power” is involved. All of us have the same questions, “Who will we lose,” “who will we get,” “is this really the right decision?” Luckily for us fans, we aren’t the one at the helm tightly gripping a cell phone discussing movements that may lift or befall a franchise. But for us, we hold another burden, helplessness.
Just know that when players come and players go, the team remains the same. As Herb Brooks allegedly said, “the name on the front is a hell of a lot more important than the name on the back,” us Avalanche fans should hold that quote near and dear. While we may be on the brink of yet another franchise-rattling trade, we all need to hold strong to our values as Avalanche fans and remember that while change is hard, it can reap plenty of benefits.
So once Monday’s deadline rolls around, and the clouds of dust settle, remember that the faces on the team may change, but it is still your team.
