Ditch the Bull???

[cmw00]

I say yes!

I mean come on, how is sombody with apparently very bad P.C.S. supposed to play the role of getting hit in the head? I wouldn't feel safe with him as our "enforcer". His hockey skills aren't the best either, especially since we have so many 3rd and 4th liners. Not to mention Joey Tetarenko. I love what I read about him. He seems to be pure enforcer though.

[nccanes]

"Ditch" meaning what?

It doesn't seem like he'd be able to be traded easily and the guy hasn't even stepped on game ice since the Dallas game. Seems a little quick to presume he hasn't recovered. If the Canes give him a fair shake, then that makes me happy - and seems like the right thing to do, imo.

Is it perceived that Jesse has more offensive potential than Joey T.?

[Jeff O Rocks]

I think Jesse should be given an opportunity to prove himself...as nccanes said, he hasn't played since his injury. Give him a chance!!

(Eileen I love your location!! ;) )

[cmw00]

Well by ditching i mean getting him off the canes roster through trade etc.

But he got hit hard, he got hurt bad. Just to look at a few others who've had bad concussions, Steve Young, Troy Aikman, and Eric Lindross. Now they were given the chance to prove themselves. Was it worth the chance? In the end no! But they were bonefied(sp?) superstars and worth giving them the chance. Well Lindross is still playing, well sort of :D

When you get hurt as bad as Jesse did I don't think a person ever really fully recovers, especially when your prone to getting hit in the head alot, or alot of bone/head/neck jarring hits like hockey players tend to do.

I don't want to be stuck with an enforcer with an Eric Lindross playing mentality (not wanting to hit or get hit).

[folgersnyourcup]

I liked Jesse and thought he had good hockey sense. I think he should at least be given another chance. Yeah, he made a bad mistake in the fight in Dallas that put him out of action but who can forget him standing over Worell?? There were definitely quite a few fun moments involving him in a season plagued by depressing turns of events.

[Alicia]

Why don't we let Jesse play to see what he's going to do, before you go getting rid of him for something he hasn't even done yet?

[cmw00]

Why don't we let Jesse play to see what he's going to do, before you go getting rid of him for something he hasn't even done yet?

He has done it though! I'd say the odds are pretty good that he'll atleast get rocked pretty good in a fight and he's gonna really start to soften up and we'll have a chicken as our enforcer. Thats the least that could happen.

Like I said above most pro atheletes in hard contact sports who get bad concussions like he did get them again. It ends most of their careers eventually as well.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Why don't we let Jesse play to see what he's going to do, before you go getting rid of him for something he hasn't even done yet?

Exactly. We have no idea if he'll be afraid to take a hit or not. If he is then, yeah, we should think about trading him. But, I think he has more hockey skill than he is given credit for. Before that incident in the minors he was supposed to be an up and coming power forward....not an enforcer. If he can get that part of his game back on track I'd LOVE to have him.

Steve Young and Troy Aikmen are both examples of guys who had concussions and continued to play and contribute for quite a while afterwards. It was multiple concussions that caused them to retire, not just one.

[e2ipiand1]

JR said in a recent interview that even if The Bull can't come back as an enforcer, he has enough talent that, with a little work and change in focus, he might fit in on the third/fourth line.

[tommy]

I agree; the shift in focus could work if he can't be an enforcer. We saw him get a handful of points this season, and he had some points where he made some nice plays. I could see him still being a 4th-liner.

[Stormbringer]

JR said in a recent interview that even if The Bull can't come back as an enforcer, he has enough talent that, with a little work and change in focus, he might fit in on the third/fourth line.

And I can see where he's coming from on that...the few times Jesse had the puck, he seemed to handle it pretty well. I definitely agree with the others that the Bull should be kept, not really for enforcement, but certainly third/fourth line material if there is enough room and he proves himself.

[cmw00]

Yeah, maybe he'd make the team as a non enforcing role. But once an enforcer you'll always be a figher in the eyes of the other teams.

Other guys will still go after him and challenge him and being a big manly hockey player I doubt he'll back down. Maybe I'm wrong but I know he'll still get more than his fair share of fights.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Jesse is a tough old bird...well not so old :D .. but I think the enforcer side of him will return. I can't imagine not seeing him drop those gloves at least once a game!! :roll:

[Cool Hand Luke]

I think it's a bit too early to tell with The Bull yet what is going to happen. I know the hockey fight affectionatos love Joey T, but keep in mind last year he finished the year on the Panthers AHL affiliate, not on the Panthers. (although I'm sure it's tough to beat out Worrell for title of team goon)

If we can trust JR, he said something like, picking up Joey was insurance if The Bull does not fully recoup from his injury. Plus, I don't think it hurts to add a little toughness to Lowell. They completely lacked an enforcer last year and they claimed it hurt them alot as other tougher teams literally beat up on them.

In any event, I look for Joey and the The Bull to drop the gloves at least once in some practice. It should be interesting. I missed it, but from what I heard Jesse dropped the gloves and pummelled some other rookie last year at the reczone.

[Jeff O Rocks]

I missed it, but from what I heard Jesse dropped the gloves and pummelled some other rookie last year at the reczone.

I am very curious to know who that was!! :crazy: