Burdened by expectation, Antropov was never fully embraced by the fans of our city. Ultimately, what sports fans never seem to realize it that drafting players is part skill, but often blind luck. To even draft a player and have him play even a single game for your team is rare. So drafting a player, at any point during any round, and having him play parts of ten seasons with your team is commendable. Especially when you consider Antropov's abilities. He has a big time snapshot shot, soft hands, faceoff prowess, solid backchecking skills, and is an elite penalty killer. He's big, strong, and only makes $2 million dollars. I understand Brian Burke's desire to move him for assets, but I also hope he will consider bringing him back in the off-season.
He's a character guy. Two weeks ago, he had a special visitor in the stands. It was a young cancer patient, who plays hockey against his son. Antropov arranged for him to come enjoy the game, in which the Big Kazakh managed to score a goal and dedicate it to the young spectator. Antropov appreciates his status as a professional athlete. He loves Toronto, and recently became a Canadian citizen. Why wouldn't the Leafs want this guy around, for say, the $3 million annual salary he would command July 1st?
1 comment:
Antropov has definitely become a commendable asset over time. His worth now is indisputable, and ultimately, that's what matters. I've never been one to gripe and gripe about the past, but let's face it - it was a long, long, long haul developing Nik Antropov. I've seen a lot of players who looked much better than Antropov did but who got tossed around so much that they were never able to get comfortable and REALLY develop. Antropov's performance in the 02-03, 03-04 and 05-06 seasons were all pretty lackluster even though he benefited greatly from playing often with Sundin. I don't mean to impugn his character or even his present ability, but Antropov was given opportunities that few players like him ever see.
Post a Comment