Tim Gleason Continues To Be Under Appreciated
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 14, 2010 2:00 PM EST
59 comments
There were plenty of disappointed people when Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason wasn't named to Team USA's Olympic roster Jan. 1 following the Winter Classic in Boston. Those in the Carolina organization were pulling for No. 6. The fans were hoping one of the RBC Center's favorites would pull on the red, white and blue sweater in Vancouver.
Alas, Gleason was not selected. To twist the knife, underperforming Kings blueliner Jack Johnson — the player Gleason was traded for at the start of the 2006-07 season — did make the grade and earned a spot on the American team.
Disappointing? For sure — but not shocking. While it's easy to make a case for Gleason over Johnson or others on the roster, there are also solid arguments for all the players who made the cut. Even Brian Burke, the GM of the Toronto of Maple Leafs and the architect of the Team USA roster who left Gleason off the team, said in an interview with Chuck Kaiton that Gleason is "very much alive" if injuries should open up a spot on defense.
So the people who know hockey — including at least two GMs who have won Stanley Cups in recent years — know what Gleason brings to the table. But that doesn't mean everyone does. Take The Hockey News' Edward Fraser, for example.
This isn't meant to be an attack of Fraser's article on the magazine's site, which lists a B-Team for the United States — a complete second roster that somehow, someway omitted Gleason. It's more about the general lack of appreciation there is for Gleason around the league. Zach Bogosian, Matt Carle, Andy Greene, Ron Hainsey, Rob Scuderi, Ryan Whitney and Keith Yandle are all decent choices for this second squad.
But right here, right now, none are better than Gleason. Gleason doesn't have the offensive skill of Whitney and Yandle, the size of Hainsey, or the rags-to-riches story of Scuderi or Greene. He wasn't part of the perhaps the best defenseman draft class ever like Bogosian, or have a Hall of Fame partner like Carle does.
Instead, most of what he does will not show up in score sheets and headlines — heart, determination, toughness, loyalty.
Sure, sometimes they do. Look no further than the five penalty minutes he took fighting Daniel Carcillo early in the season following a dirty hit by the Flyers winger on Ray Whitney, or the shorthanded goal he registered after returning from some serious needlework to force overtime against division foe Washington. But for the most part, Gleason's contributions don't find their way onto his profile page. And because of that, he's often under appreciated — hell, flat-out forgotten — when people outside of Raleigh talk about the up-and-coming blueliners in the game.
Such is the life of a heart-and-soul player, a guy who always puts the "we" ahead of the "me." Like Glen Wesley — the longtime Hurricanes defenseman who served as a mentor to Gleason when he arrived from Los Angeles — Carolina's No. 6 is relegated to success in the shadows instead of the spotlight.
And he seems fine with that. But I'm not.
Gleason deserves the recognition. As far as I'm concerned, he's setting himself up to be this generation's Jason Smith. Maybe he'll get a shot to represent the United States next month in Vancouver, and perhaps then he'll get more credit for all he brings to the Hurricanes. But for now, let's at least get him on the B-Team, OK Edward?
Now, leaving Matt Cullen off the team in favor of Blake Wheeler? That makes me wonder if Fraser watches hockey or looks at stats.
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Dude, Cory, I seriously JUST read this article and was going to post it in the Fan Shots section under the title “Gleason Doesn’t even make 2nd team USA”.
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Jan 14, 2010 2:14 PM EST reply actions
When I saw it this morning, I assumed he was a Canada-centric newbie at THN. Guess I was right. His other pieces on his blog are hardly signs that he knows anymore about hockey than what he reads in the stat sheets. This one : Is Blue the New Black? Let’s Hope So! gives you an idea of how serious he is.
Personally, I think his boss at the exceptionally reliable “The Hockey News” needs to give him a talking-to after this clueless analysis. Ed needs to stick within his zone, like the history of NHL fashion for a while longer. Let’s hope so!
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
“Keith Yandle, Phoenix – Still finding his game, but the 23-year-old oozes offensive potential and will someday flirt with 70 points.”
LOL. Is he starting a franchise or picking a team for a 2 week tournament?
saying he’ll flirt with 70 is silly, too … only two guys hit 70 last year, one the year before, none the one before and two the first year after the lockout. And most of those guys will get HOF consideration.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 14, 2010 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
That does it. I’m pulling a Tonya Harding on Jack Johnson.
You wouldn’t ever know he was underappreciated if you spent all your days on this blog though! Just like I said with Leights, his time will come. He’ll get what he deserves.
And just for the record, I FREAKING LOVE TIMMY!!!!
Jen will fight you, just sayin’. ;)
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
We’ve agreed to share :) But that’s as far as it goes! We were no doubt, the first to realize the hotness/awesomeness of Timmy!
Maybe you were the first to declare your knowledge and admiration in such a…ummm…public and profuse fashion, but I’d be willing to bet that y’all weren’t the first. ;)
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Alright fine, you, T-Leaf of non-Toronto fanhood, were the very first fan (woman or otherwise) to notice the extreme level of hotness and sheer awesome that is contained in one Timothy Patrick Gleason.
Better?
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Ummmm. Seems like there was that late night conversation last summer. The one where we graded Timmy for his performance last year. IIRC, I gave him the + on the B for looking so hot in his playoff beard. My comment got that thread going and led to important fanshots as fire follows smoke.
I also recall being the first to call out this exact observation out during a playoff game thread and at that point, I hadn’t seen it declared previously on CC. If you can show, Jen and T-Leaf , that your comments on this important matter predated mine okay. But I remember wondering for a while last May if I was the only one thinking this…..and the relief to find I had gf’s who shared my sentiments.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Jan 14, 2010 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
Uh-oh it’s getting a little tense over here. And Jen hasn’t even stopped by to stake her claim yet.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
All I’m saying is that if we’re settling this by who got there first, then we need to back it up with some links. Just like every other argument that plays out on the blog. Show me the post.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Jan 14, 2010 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
Just looking at your signature I can tell you aren’t yet wearing your heart on your sleeve, T-leaf.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Jan 14, 2010 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
All this fawning over hockey players is really starting to unnerve me.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
Really?
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Jan 14, 2010 6:19 PM EST up reply actions
LOL that was actually the post for which I changed my sig.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
I will always have a very special corner in my heart for Mr Ruutu, you know that. However, your remarkable Ruudar stands alone.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Jan 14, 2010 6:29 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve seen the photo of the three of them (Jen, TLeaf, and Timmy) standing arm-in-arm on a cold cold night last year before there was any of this other talk going on….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 14, 2010 5:13 PM EST up reply actions
Then I defer. But I’m still a huge fan.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Jan 14, 2010 6:26 PM EST up reply actions
I forget where I was when that picture was being taken…
Oh yeah…. Wishing I was as cool as Tim Gleason…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 15, 2010 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
That always helps any picture. Seriously next time I’m coming with y’all.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
I surrender completely. You win!
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Jan 14, 2010 6:51 PM EST up reply actions
this is so far down, Jen. Exactly which night are your referring to? And does Canescup know about it?
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Jan 14, 2010 6:50 PM EST up reply actions
For me I would not want a call to back up someone injured. If they didn’t think I was good enough the first time, forget it.
Staal will be the next CAPTAIN........get over it!
I bet you would think differently if you were in the position. You’re not gonna give up a chance to play in the Olympics. He doesn’t need to have his feelings hurt that he wasn’t picked…they obviously don’t have a clue what they’re doing.
I count myself among the many Ottawa fans who wishes Gleason stuck with the team that drafted him. :(
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
Cory, this article may be one of my favorite articles on here because in just a few sentences you managed to sum up everything that anyone has ever tried to say about #6. Fantastic job. Absolutely perfect.
You can’t quantify heart, determination and character. Call me crazy, but I’d take a team full of Timmys over skilled players who don’t care anyday. I think Wes was the prefect mentor for Timmy and I think he’ll be a great mentor to some of the younger d-men (and forwards looking for a lesson in heart) in our system.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Disappointment is a HUGE understatement!!
That was a very sad day for me. When I saw that little JJ jersey turn around I knew Timmy didn’t make the cut. I may have been a tad furious? Great article Cory!! I think I have stated my case for Timmy until I am blue in the face! I really hope he gets the call, but I am still not getting my hopes up!!
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
Let’s try to remember to tune in to Ccuck Kaiton at the first intermission to see what else he gleaned from Burke on Tuesday.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Jan 14, 2010 6:42 PM EST up reply actions
Gleason for the "C"
Tim Gleason is the “team player”. He seems to think about the team and every member before himself. His heart and determination shows in every game. We ’Canes fans love to watch him on the ice and certainly want him to get the recognition he deserves. Tim and the other players like him on this Carolina team are the reason “We love this team!” even in a trying season.
NHL Hockey, the most fun you can have with your clothes on!!
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