A decade apart – Muzzin 24, Scuderi 34 – Photo: D. Sheehan
By Paul Armbruster • KingsNewsDaily.com •
As the old adage goes, you can’t teach experience. And in the world of NHL hockey defensemen, no truer words define what it takes to have a long career as a blue-liner. But how do you get to play for over a decade without that experience?
In one word, watch. Closely.
Jon Rosen’s latest player feature focuses on Rob Scuderi, the only current Kings D-man over the age of 30 and the oldest member on the active team by two years. Simon Gagne is the second oldest at 32. Scuderi, as he points out, is playing the same ‘ugly but effective’ game since he was 18. If that’s true, then wouldn’t that mean he’s still playing like an inexperienced young man at the veteran age of 34?
Not exactly.
Consistency, as Coach Darryl Sutter pointed out in the article, is they key. And while learning important aspects of the game over time are critical to the development of any player, it’s how well you apply those lessons consistently and effectively that give you the edge in carving out a long career in the NHL.
I don’t think even Scuderi would say his game is EXACTLY the same as it was 16 years ago in the literal sense. What I believe he means is his overall style is the same. Stay-at-home, hard working and, yes, consistent. But if he was asked pointedly, I believe he would cite a hundred little things he does better now than he did then and that is where the younger defenseman on the team can learn something.
Scuderi has never been a vocal guy and while he is the picture of “action speaks louder than words” that doesn’t mean words don’t have their place in helping guys like Jake Muzzin or even Drew Doughty learn to be more consistent.
It’s those little tips he gives when asked, coupled with watching his play on the ice (in games and at practice), that can really help a young defenseman navigate the treacherous frozen waters known as the D-zone.
Nothing can replace experience. That is a given.
But knowing how incorporate lessons from guys who have it can make or break the careers of many aspiring young players in the NHL. Or as Scuderi puts it, “I don’t have a lot of offensive talent, but putting yourself in the right position, just knowing where to be, knowing where to put your stick, trying to drive a guy in a certain direction – a lot of those things kind of happen naturally that you develop over the course of your life…but hopefully a guy just sees it and sees how you do things. I know that’s how I picked up some things – not necessarily through conversation, but just through observation and trying to pick up things to help myself.”
Words of action seen, not just heard.
nice commentary…
the kings have to make a decision on scuds soon…although i would hate to see him leave, you would have to think the kings will probably low-ball him and he would take his talents elsewhere IF they feel they have someone to move up from manchester or acquire a replacement via trade, etc…
still, i think it would be wise for the team to maintain scuds at his current $3.4mil…and here’s why…:
as you stated above, scuds brings that veteran coolness to the team…he seems like a great teammate that is willing to go the extra mile or two for someone…he’s also appears to be an excellent listener and often gives very thoughtful answers when asked questions by the media…
if you discount his lack of offensive prowess for the aforementioned, how could you not want a guy of his stature and experience on yr team as a 4-6 d-man come his later years…(?)
i look at scuds as very similar to matty norstrom, in that they are silent warriors who demand respect and have great command/focus of their emotions…it’s guys like them that you need to go to when yr other players are physically/mentally exhausted – he’s been there before…and it shows in his style of play…and his hockey demeanor/perspective…
Of course, as you found out later in the afternoon, DL has had informal talks with Scuds. DL and CS on the same page. Keeping a guy like him for another year is a solid move but I do believe Rob is eyeing the finish line on his career sooner rather than later.
Let’s say that Scuds is looking for 4 years for 13 million, then he has to consider the cost of living here as opposed to Florida, for example. The state tax difference will cost him 1.5 million alone. The housing cost difference could be another million. The Panthers need Scuds much more than we do, to teach their youth. Therefore, they may offer 2 million more.
Scuds needs to sit with the family and discuss how much quality of life means at this stage of his family life and his career. Hopefully, he will talk to the growing community of local alumni in the Kings family also.
I do wonder how much those decisions come into play. I’m sure it varies from player to player. California is a terrible tax state as you point out but the real estate is probably a better investment than Florida in certain areas such as MB. I do disagree about Florida needing him more though. The Kings defense is one of the very youngest in the league and based on my article above, I think it’s critical he stay to help OUR young guys.
re: scuds and retirement and him becoming a coach in the league -
yes, what yr saying is probably closer to the heart of what scud’s hockey future will be…he would be an excellent candidate to be groomed for being a coach…and he seems like he has interest in doing this after he retires as a player…
i think the kings have already looked down the road and see scuds somewhere in the mix as both a player and, eventually, a coach…perhaps what JET proposes below could be true – family demands and wishes can make or break deals…but i think that scuds likes it out here and that he would want to continue his relationship with the or-gan-iz-a-tion….
I posted this for neil below: http://kingsnewsdaily.com/dont-be-surprised-if-you-see-rob-scuderi-coaching-the-bruins-one-day/
He’s a Sean O’Donnell clone, he was taken 123rd overall and Scuds was taken 134th, Their games are so alike it’s scary.
Scary cool.
scuds….future coaching position part of the next contract???
Read this neil!
http://kingsnewsdaily.com/dont-be-surprised-if-you-see-rob-scuderi-coaching-the-bruins-one-day/
I hope we can pin Scuds down for a couple more years.
He is a class act, a true Vet. Everything you need to bring up some newbs.
There was a collision behind the net Monday (vs. Ducks) with Perry I believe; Perry came up ready to chirp back, saw it was scuds and went back to the play. I do not think it was because he was scared of Scuds, I think it was, his charter, his demanding respect. He is not a cheap shot, not a hack. His play speaks for itself. All of that with Perry seeing it was Scuds. One look. That was impressive.
All of that without Scuds even noticing what “could have” been. He didn’t look back thinking he did something wrong, he was just on task. Strong, determined and resilient.
That and Scuds is tough as a fortified 16 penny nail.
Agreed. Scuds is a class act. That play you describe shows how we need this guy.
Well said!
We could use about three of him right now.