PPP: What's Up With Tucker?

by texacogirl on Nov 5, 2008 12:54 AM EST

Being an Avs fan and as such, focused on the Western Conference and its players, I didn't know who Darcy Tucker was. When Tucker was picked up off waivers during the offseason, information came forth that the Avs had their eye on him for a while and this was the opportunity to aquire him. I have also heard he was a fan favorite in Toronto for his ability to play with heart. However, after 10+ games, I and other Avs fans are, well, unimpressed with his play. I have yet to see him show grit, heart, or anything resembling hockey sense. I realize the season is young but at this point Tucker is beginning to rival Arnason for scapegoat and as I understand it, he is still being paid like 4 million per year between the two teams. What gives? Your collective insight would be much appreciated.

PensionPlanPuppets.com is a fan community that allows members to post their own thoughts and opinions on the Toronto Maple Leafs and hockey in general. These views and thoughts may not be shared by the editor of PensionPlanPuppets.com.

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

It's easy

He doesn’t love playing for your team. I’m not saying your team sucks (although with Raycroft in net…) or that our team is better (with no Raycroft…) Tucker has always played heart on his sleeve, balls out, full bore, skating on the edge of insanity, because he loved the team he was on (not yours, but ours…) He has what is known in LOL speak as “a sad”

Anybody throws me against the boards I'm gonna piss all over myself.
The Left Coast Lock

by blurr1974 on Nov 5, 2008 1:18 AM EST reply actions

Yup

Basically, that’s it. Tucker was at his best when he had the Shining eyes going and was playing on the borderline of balls out and insane. When he had his big year he followed it up with an injury plagued year in which he also played pretty soft. I think the buyout took a lot out of him.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 5, 2008 7:44 AM EST up reply actions

Nailed it

He loves Toronto, not so much Denver

"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)

by Winkle on Nov 5, 2008 8:35 AM EST up reply actions

I'm not buying it

Tucker wasn’t claimed on waivers. He was bought out and signed as a free agent. If he didn’t want to play in Colorado he shouldn’t have chosen to go there.

What happened to Tucker, IMNSHO, is similar to what happened to McCabe. He scored a bunch of goals one year and decided that was his role. The “Shining Eyes” (great description, btw) have been mostly gone for years, and without them there’s little in his game that stands out.

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Nov 6, 2008 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

what was he going to do?

re-sign in Toronto? Sit out the season until Tornto brought him back? Some players do have feelings and emotions. he’s not the caliber of player who can sit out half a season with a gimpy foot, and stil get tons of offers thrown at him. He wants to play hockey again, he’s just not that crazy about the shade of blue and that dash of maroon he’s wearing now. Colrado wanted him, so he went there to play hockey as a job. See the genera’s more poignant point re: “the Shining eyes”

Anybody throws me against the boards I'm gonna piss all over myself.
The Left Coast Lock

by blurr1974 on Nov 6, 2008 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah

I have to agree with Blurr. He wasn’t going to retire but so much of his game is built on that raw emotion and it’s just not there in Denver.

He scored a bunch of goals one year and decided that was his role.

He lost the Eye of the Tiger.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 6, 2008 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t deny that the emotion isn’t there for him anymore; I’m just saying that he lost it before he left.

Tucker played with grit and heart for the Tampa Bay Lightning. It’s not that his location has changed; he has changed.

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Nov 6, 2008 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

Him changing is definitely part of it but even last year towards the end of the year he was able to tap into it again.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 6, 2008 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

He needs Apollo Creed

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Nov 6, 2008 3:13 PM EST up reply actions

Awww

That is super sad. I hope he can muster something, anything, and enjoy playing hockey with our guys. And we can win some games…

Red Wings Suck

by texacogirl on Nov 5, 2008 8:25 PM EST up reply actions

Last year Tucker started the season off by being asleep for the first three months. When he finally woke up, it was as if he had aged three years. Somehow, “maturing” became “growing old”. He’s not the same hockey player he once was, and can’t do what he used to do. However, should Colorado make the playoffs, Darcy might get excited enough about that to turn back the clock for a few weeks.

by general borschevsky on Nov 5, 2008 9:04 AM EST reply actions

Exactly

Colorado needs to find a way to re-ignite the passion within him, once he gets that back he’ll stop listening to common sense and play full on balls-out until he’s dead.

"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)

by Winkle on Nov 5, 2008 9:30 AM EST up reply actions

Rename the team the Colorado Maple leafs ?

Making stuff up since real Leafs news is far too depressing

by loser domi on Nov 5, 2008 9:41 AM EST up reply actions

Better yet

Move the team to Toronto then give Denver the Predators hahaha.

"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)

by Winkle on Nov 5, 2008 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

that's not nice..

they’re already suffering with the nuggets…

Anybody throws me against the boards I'm gonna piss all over myself.
The Left Coast Lock

by blurr1974 on Nov 5, 2008 10:14 AM EST up reply actions

I am from Toronto

We have the Argos, Jays, Leafs and Raptors

They get no sympathy from me

"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)

by Winkle on Nov 5, 2008 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

Ditto

Don’t forget TFC!

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 5, 2008 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

but...

then we’d have Raycroft back…

Anybody throws me against the boards I'm gonna piss all over myself.
The Left Coast Lock

by blurr1974 on Nov 5, 2008 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

don’t move the team, just rename it. Rename our leafs either the REAL Leafs or Toronto Awesomes

Making stuff up since real Leafs news is far too depressing

by loser domi on Nov 5, 2008 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

Tucker

Scored a goal tonight in a lazy loss to the Minnesota Mild. Tucker, Laperierre, Hensick (call-up from the AHL), and McLeod, were the heart and soul of this team tonight. That makes 2 goals and three assists for him in the Burgundy and Blue this season. Our Blue is just fine, BTW.

Red Wings Suck

by texacogirl on Nov 7, 2008 12:19 AM EST reply actions