ROR

[MiamiLaw]

I still don't understand what happened to ROR his last season (well... half-season) that he was here. He had to have been injured, right?

Because he was the worst player on the ice the majority of that last stretch. If he was indeed hurt, I'll never understand why guys do this to themselves. I fully understand wanting to be a team player and be out there, but if you're that hurt that you're the worst player on the ice instead of one of the best, just can't fathom wanting to play through that.

The vast majority of us can't comprehend what it takes to get to the top level of a particular sport, especially hockey (but certainly true for football, baseball, etc.). The desire and competitive nature one must possess, along with ability, is not something many people have. All sports are littered with people who had/have exceptional ability, but lack the desire, commitment and competitiveness. For buys like O'Reilly, and the many others who played past their "prime", it's that level of compete I believe keeps them playing when perhaps they shouldn't. Not justifying it, rather addressing your comment about why some do it.

ROR was also one of the smartest players I have seen play for the Blues. Never the most talented guy but very smart in how he played the game. And Pang would also always talk about how much he worked on his hand-eye stuff. He knows how to use his tool set.

[skilles]

I still don't understand what happened to ROR his last season (well... half-season) that he was here. He had to have been injured, right?

Because he was the worst player on the ice the majority of that last stretch. If he was indeed hurt, I'll never understand why guys do this to themselves. I fully understand wanting to be a team player and be out there, but if you're that hurt that you're the worst player on the ice instead of one of the best, just can't fathom wanting to play through that.

The vast majority of us can't comprehend what it takes to get to the top level of a particular sport, especially hockey (but certainly true for football, baseball, etc.). The desire and competitive nature one must possess, along with ability, is not something many people have. All sports are littered with people who had/have exceptional ability, but lack the desire, commitment and competitiveness. For buys like O'Reilly, and the many others who played past their "prime", it's that level of compete I believe keeps them playing when perhaps they shouldn't. Not justifying it, rather addressing your comment about why some do it.

He was never the worst player on the ice for us, we were giving him really unfavorable situations. People just think that because those unfavorable situations resulted in unfavorable stats.

[blues2112]

I still don't understand what happened to ROR his last season (well... half-season) that he was here. He had to have been injured, right?

Because he was the worst player on the ice the majority of that last stretch. If he was indeed hurt, I'll never understand why guys do this to themselves. I fully understand wanting to be a team player and be out there, but if you're that hurt that you're the worst player on the ice instead of one of the best, just can't fathom wanting to play through that.

The vast majority of us can't comprehend what it takes to get to the top level of a particular sport, especially hockey (but certainly true for football, baseball, etc.). The desire and competitive nature one must possess, along with ability, is not something many people have. All sports are littered with people who had/have exceptional ability, but lack the desire, commitment and competitiveness. For buys like O'Reilly, and the many others who played past their "prime", it's that level of compete I believe keeps them playing when perhaps they shouldn't. Not justifying it, rather addressing your comment about why some do it.

ROR was also one of the smartest players I have seen play for the Blues. Never the most talented guy but very smart in how he played the game. And Pang would also always talk about how much he worked on his hand-eye stuff. He knows how to use his tool set.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtqSUx56dZU

[Frank Barone]

I still don't understand what happened to ROR his last season (well... half-season) that he was here. He had to have been injured, right?

Because he was the worst player on the ice the majority of that last stretch. If he was indeed hurt, I'll never understand why guys do this to themselves. I fully understand wanting to be a team player and be out there, but if you're that hurt that you're the worst player on the ice instead of one of the best, just can't fathom wanting to play through that.

The vast majority of us can't comprehend what it takes to get to the top level of a particular sport, especially hockey (but certainly true for football, baseball, etc.). The desire and competitive nature one must possess, along with ability, is not something many people have. All sports are littered with people who had/have exceptional ability, but lack the desire, commitment and competitiveness. For buys like O'Reilly, and the many others who played past their "prime", it's that level of compete I believe keeps them playing when perhaps they shouldn't. Not justifying it, rather addressing your comment about why some do it.

Something I've noticed in my years of watching sports is that the athletes with great speed seem to have better longevity. It seems when they lose a gear they slow down to the rest of the pack, while the slower players can no longer keep up when they begin to age.

ROR was never a fast player. He was the one of the most intense forecheckers I've ever seen and extremely effective. The Blues would not have won in 2019 without him, that's for sure. Bernie Federko also wasn't fast and he left the league in his early 30's. ROR may be just slowing down.

[leedog68]

99 was slow his whole career.

[DawgDad]

I still don't understand what happened to ROR his last season (well... half-season) that he was here. He had to have been injured, right?

Because he was the worst player on the ice the majority of that last stretch. If he was indeed hurt, I'll never understand why guys do this to themselves. I fully understand wanting to be a team player and be out there, but if you're that hurt that you're the worst player on the ice instead of one of the best, just can't fathom wanting to play through that.

The vast majority of us can't comprehend what it takes to get to the top level of a particular sport, especially hockey (but certainly true for football, baseball, etc.). The desire and competitive nature one must possess, along with ability, is not something many people have. All sports are littered with people who had/have exceptional ability, but lack the desire, commitment and competitiveness. For buys like O'Reilly, and the many others who played past their "prime", it's that level of compete I believe keeps them playing when perhaps they shouldn't. Not justifying it, rather addressing your comment about why some do it.

Something I've noticed in my years of watching sports is that the athletes with great speed seem to have better longevity. It seems when they lose a gear they slow down to the rest of the pack, while the slower players can no longer keep up when they begin to age.

ROR was never a fast player. He was the one of the most intense forecheckers I've ever seen and extremely effective. The Blues would not have won in 2019 without him, that's for sure. Bernie Federko also wasn't fast and he left the league in his early 30's. ROR may be just slowing down.

Haven't seen him yet this season but last season his fading pace was very apparent. He still played hard and had good hands, but he looked slow.

[SRV1990]

I still don't understand what happened to ROR his last season (well... half-season) that he was here. He had to have been injured, right?

Because he was the worst player on the ice the majority of that last stretch. If he was indeed hurt, I'll never understand why guys do this to themselves. I fully understand wanting to be a team player and be out there, but if you're that hurt that you're the worst player on the ice instead of one of the best, just can't fathom wanting to play through that.

The vast majority of us can't comprehend what it takes to get to the top level of a particular sport, especially hockey (but certainly true for football, baseball, etc.). The desire and competitive nature one must possess, along with ability, is not something many people have. All sports are littered with people who had/have exceptional ability, but lack the desire, commitment and competitiveness. For buys like O'Reilly, and the many others who played past their "prime", it's that level of compete I believe keeps them playing when perhaps they shouldn't. Not justifying it, rather addressing your comment about why some do it.

Something I've noticed in my years of watching sports is that the athletes with great speed seem to have better longevity. It seems when they lose a gear they slow down to the rest of the pack, while the slower players can no longer keep up when they begin to age.

ROR was never a fast player. He was the one of the most intense forecheckers I've ever seen and extremely effective. The Blues would not have won in 2019 without him, that's for sure. Bernie Federko also wasn't fast and he left the league in his early 30's. ROR may be just slowing down.

Haven't seen him yet this season but last season his fading pace was very apparent. He still played hard and had good hands, but he looked slow.

So the logical thing for passive aggressive limp dick to do is make a post [defecating] on him. Age is undefeated in sports, always will be.

I will always appreciate what he did in his tenure with the Blues. If it's time for him to retire, then it's time, so be it. And he can look back on an excellent career, one that included a Cup championship and a Conn Smythe.

[MiamiLaw]

I still don't understand what happened to ROR his last season (well... half-season) that he was here. He had to have been injured, right?

Because he was the worst player on the ice the majority of that last stretch. If he was indeed hurt, I'll never understand why guys do this to themselves. I fully understand wanting to be a team player and be out there, but if you're that hurt that you're the worst player on the ice instead of one of the best, just can't fathom wanting to play through that.

The vast majority of us can't comprehend what it takes to get to the top level of a particular sport, especially hockey (but certainly true for football, baseball, etc.). The desire and competitive nature one must possess, along with ability, is not something many people have. All sports are littered with people who had/have exceptional ability, but lack the desire, commitment and competitiveness. For buys like O'Reilly, and the many others who played past their "prime", it's that level of compete I believe keeps them playing when perhaps they shouldn't. Not justifying it, rather addressing your comment about why some do it.

ROR was also one of the smartest players I have seen play for the Blues. Never the most talented guy but very smart in how he played the game. And Pang would also always talk about how much he worked on his hand-eye stuff. He knows how to use his tool set.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtqSUx56dZU

Thanks for sharing. Interesting and not at all surprising.

[blues2112]

Thanks for sharing. Interesting and not at all surprising.

You bet!

First first hockey coach mentor (25-30 years ago) stressed teaching multiple skills at once, to make the brain work as much as the body. (Age and development appropriate, of course.) Never saw a point in simply running a skating-only drill, unless you're making a point about discipline.

As for ROR, there's another video of him, bouncing a puck or ball on his stick, walking the beam while his day threw tennis balls at him!

[theograce]

He lies quite well though

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_thBMIe4d ... eSBkdWk%3D

[Bubble4427]

He lies quite well though

He must be your idol then....
Birds of a feather....

[theograce]

He lies quite well though

He must be your idol then....
Birds of a feather....

I’m your idol. Your history proves it.

Laughing

[Hooking]

It's like all these past few Blues captains just aren't as good when they leave.

[theograce]

It's like all these past few Blues captains just aren't as good when they leave.

Where ya been?

[Tony Palazzolo]

I'll always love Ryan O'Reilly.

I have his jersey. He was a solid captain here. And....I'll never forget 2019.

But he's 34 and it's time to move on and look toward the future.

Same!

And here's something else that's crazy to think about: As a person ages, their ability to perform athletically decreases. It's the craziest phenomenon, but must be true, at least for hockey, because we see very few players in their 40's in the NHL, and no players in their 50's, 60's and beyond competing.

That just shows how these athletes are at the top of physicality. Just a half step slower and they lose their effectiveness. The ones that go longer usually use their brain. Better positioning, better understanding of what is happening on the ice. That will only take them so far.