Lucic looks to regain his ‘beast mentality’
Oilers winger determined to resurrect career as ‘power’ guy after tough season
Milan Lucic was at Disneyland this summer, being a kid again as he went on wild rides with his family.
Now, if hockey becomes fun too, you won’t be able to wipe the smile off his face.
Last year was an unmitigated disaster for Lucic, his worst statistical year in eight years.
We all know the story; one goal in his last 46 games. Just 10 goals and 34 points as he tumbled into the abyss along with his Edmonton Oilers teammates who missed the playoffs after a 103-point 20162017 season.
Lucic thinks, hopes, prays, it was as one-off, like the team.
If it wasn’t, then his NHL career is on the ropes, although his old Kings teammate Dustin Brown had four miserable years of 15, 11, 11 and 14 goals and 27, 27, 28 and 36 point seasons and bounced back mightily in Los Angeles last year, so it’s never over until it’s over.
Lucic didn’t ask for a trade. He doesn’t want a change of sweater or address.
He’s coming back older, 30, maybe a little lighter.
He’s tried to cleanse last season’s malaise, without going on a Keto diet.
They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, so we’ll see with Lucic, his body language a mirror of his frustration last year. He was mad, also dumbfounded at how bad it was.
Pucks clanging off posts, pucks bouncing off his stick, passes going astray. Shoulders slumped on so many nights after 10 goals on 147 shots (6.8 per cent) when he was a career 14.5 per cent.
“Everyone starts with a clean sheet and you have to focus on what’s ahead,” said Lucic, after an informal skate at Rogers Place.
“Guys have had tough years for decades and it’s about how you bounce back. Clearing your mind and moving forward. That was the main thing with me, getting mentally healthy.”
He has to establish himself once again, show he’s the second-line left wing with centre Leon Draisaitl with maybe Tobias Rieder on the right.
If Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is going to be on the left side with Connor McDavid as he was late last season, Lucic can be the other left wing weapon.
“You all know I have a lot of pride,” he said.
The critics will say the game’s too fast for guys like Lucic now.
Also he’s on the other side of 30 while the league keeps getting younger and younger. That you don’t need muscle as much as hustle.
But, he doesn’t think his game needs a major overhaul at some body shop.
“Watching the playoffs, I know a lot of people preached skill and speed, but ultimately the big boys (Washington) got it done when it mattered most,” he said.
“It’s still a man’s game, a power game. It’s up to me to bring that.”
While intimidation has always been part of Lucic’s game, nobody is keen to drop the mitts with him. He has to instigate some mayhem on his own, like punching Calgary goalie Mike Smith late last season. Maybe he has to stand over people in the crease more and dare them to do something about it like a schoolyard bully. Along with getting to the net more, making plays faster.
Guys have had tough years for decades and it’s about how you bounce back. Clearing your mind and moving forward.
“I have to do the old elements better. I struggled with my confidence last year. Just going back and watching tape of yourself, watching you make plays, carrying the puck through the neutral zone, moving your feet in offensive zone, taking the play on your own instead of waiting for everything else to happen,” he said.
“That said, it’s no secret that everybody in the league is working on the PEP (PowerEdgePro skating training) stuff in the summer to improve their skills and stickhandling but it’s getting back to my old mindset. Getting into the beast mentality again.”
He won’t be coming to camp, say, 15 pounds lighter than last year’s 238.
“It’s hard to lose weight when your body fat is eight, nine per cent but I worked out this summer (Los Angeles) with Chad Morrow (Ethan’s brother and former Oilers fitness guy),” he said. “I also spent more time on the ice this summer than others.
“It was a learning curve for everybody last season, myself included. We’re leaving the past in the past and focusing on the future and there’s lots to look forward to as a team and myself.
“There were only a handful of guys who had a good last season. I’m in the same boat as a lot of us. I have to get myself back on track to where I know I can be,” he said.