from Dave Poulin at the Toronto Star,

The league will balance out and the teams that are struggling will elevate. Perhaps Nazem Kadri’s supreme confidence and great start in Calgary will rub off on Jonathan Huberdeau and restore his offensive game. The Penguins’ Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will convince their newcomers that it’s OK to steal the spotlight on occasion. Alex DeBrincat will start scoring in Ottawa and Claude Giroux will continue to lead and the Senators’ returning young stars will realize the new guys fit with the old, and both need each other.

There’s a balance between collective and singular and both are necessary in a team game. Someone has to be selfish at the right time. Someone has to close the sale on a sales team, or make the critical decision on a medical team. There is only the name of the author on the cover of a bestseller, despite the praise given inside to the many contributors. Individual brilliance is a part of collective success.

When your favourite player scores the game-winning goal with an extraordinary effort, you’ll smile with his decision to be selfish and shoot, rather than pass the puck looking for the perfect play. Just don’t be surprised in the post-game presser when he sheepishly praises his teammates for making it all possible.

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