http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2013/01/ ... _of_shape/Shitty sportsnet article with typical out of town media glorification however there is a point there....
Quote:
“You’re never really in game shape until you’re playing games, “ Lucic told weei.com’s Big Bad Blog. “For myself, I try to keep myself in shape, but we still have two weeks here of skating. I’ve never had a problem with my conditioning at any level, so I’ll be ready.”
REAL QUOTE:
http://bigbadblog.weei.com/Quote:
“We’ll see,” Lucic said. “You’re never really in game shape until you’re playing games. For myself, I try to keep myself in shape, but we still have two weeks here of skating. I’ve never had a problem with my conditioning at any level, so I’ll be ready.”
Lucic said that he has stayed the same weight-wise. He was listed last season as being 228 pounds. With games less than two weeks away, he’s confident that he’ll be ready to go once the puck is dropped for the season.
“That cardio aspect of being in game-shape … I think I heard [Steven] Stamkos on TSN yesterday say that you’re never really in game-shape unless you’re playing in games,” Lucic said. “We all feel the same way when it comes to that.”
I don't think anything truly represents playing at the NHL level. However players playing elsewhere have an edge. Lucic is the norm rather than the exception. I think the majority of the league is going to be playing gassed hockey for a month until they come up to speed. Whether we want to judge them based on their professionalism and off season commitment remains to be seen. It truly is a sprint to the finish line and a sullying of the Cup!
Thanks Butch for pointing out NHL fatboys.
On the flip side.....Jonny Boychuk says.....
Quote:
“I’m ready,” he said. “I’m ready to go right now, so it’s a perfect situation for me because you had to go there and work hard. Now that the season’s starting I’m glad I went there because it was a good experience and you really had to work hard to stay in shape there.”