The quick change of narrative regarding Milan Lucic this summer might be seen
as a positive to some fans and negative to others. After weeks of trade
speculation Lucic was looking for a way out of Edmonton and that the Oilers
were looking to trade him, Lucic';s agent, Gerry Johannson, quickly shot down
speculation the bruising NHL forward was leaving and said, "Milan is 100%
going to come back and play." Just recently, Lucic cemented those comments
during a podcast interview with a couple former NHL players. In fact, he spoke
glowingly of the Oilers organization.

But, in the process, Lucic also took a stab at NBA players like DeMar DeRozan
in what many see as an unnecessary admonishment of someone who did nothing
wrong.

Our question is, did Lucic just put his foot in his mouth?Milan Lucic: The
Positive

Speaking with Ryan Whitney and Paul Bissonnette on the Spittin' Chiclets
podcast, Lucic discussed his time in the NHL, his stay with the Oilers and how
first class an organization they are. Most importantly, he made it clear he was
 excited to come back next season. He spoke directly to former Oiler Whitney -
a player who hasn';t always been kind to the Oilers post-retirement - when he
said the Oilers are top notch in terms of how they run their facilities,
amenities and how well the Oilers organization has treated him since his
arrival. It sounded like the only thing Lucic didn';t love was the dryness and
how much lotion he had to use during the winters. Otherwise, the team has
treated him like gold.Known for his physical play, Milan Lucic is an offensive
threat as well. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Down to the arena, the food on the plane, the requests a player might make, he
said, "the Oilers will literally do whatever you want and give you whatever you
 need in order to succeed."

Lucic then added, "I think a lot of guys are excited to come back. I know I'm
excited to come back and go back and have that ΓÇÿprove people wrong' kind of
mentality." He wants to help the team get back to being elite and "for myself
personally be an elite player once again."

This is the version of Milan Lucic Oilers fans want to cheer for.Related: NHL
Rumors: Pacioretty, Linden, Karlsson, MoreMilan Lucic: The Negative

Unfortunately, Lucic then said some things that might not sit well.

When the conversation turned towards professional athletes in any sport being
traded, the two hosts and Lucic had a field day with DeMar DeRozan';s situation
 in Toronto. It started when Whitney called DeRozan a "little bit&)." - Whitney
 has a history of knocking players and people so this wasn';t terribly
unexpected. But, what might have been a bit more surprising was Lucic weighing
in with such vigor.(Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

Lucic added, "he';s being like a little bitter bit^% at like the organization
for [being traded for] Kawhi Leonard, like literally a top-five player in the
league."

Lucic bashed DeRozan and any professional athlete who couldn';t wrap their head
 around the fact professional sports is a business. He stated teams don';t need
 to give you a heads up you';re being traded and unless your name is Sidney
Crosby, Connor McDavid or LeBron James, you';re just another player.

Technically some of these points are true, but do these comments feel out of
place to anyone else?Related: NHL Rumors: Skinner, Panarin, Stone, MoreBad
Timing on Lucic';s Part

Lucic found himself front and center of many media articles suggesting he
wanted out of Edmonton. Reports went as far as to suggest he';d waive his
no-move clause to help facilitate a trade. Speculation is, the only reason he
wasn';t traded was that the interested teams wanted the Oilers to give up an
asset to take on Lucic';s contract. In the end, it wasn';t a good deal for
Edmonton.

If any of these rumors were or are true, being so opinionated about a player
being upset about being traded from a location he wanted to finish his career
comes off as almost hypocritical. DeRozan was lied to, told he wasn';t going to
 be traded and then was, with no player control over the situation at all.
Meanwhile, Lucic has gotten to pick where he plays, where he';s been traded to
or signed with for most of his NHL career.

Lucic knocked DeRozan for making good money when Lucic has arguably one of the
worst contracts in the NHL. He bashed him for being upset about leaving a team
like Toronto for the San Antonio Spurs when Lucic admitted being traded from
Boston to LA didn';t bother him because, after all, it was LA. Lucic also said
he chose Edmonton, in part, because he could play with the best player in the
world. DeRozan won';t be quite so lucky.Todd McLellan, Connor McDavid and Milan
 Lucic, Edmonton Oilers, Oct. 21, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

The question becomes, would Lucic have been so quick to welcome a move out of
Edmonton, or any of the teams he';d played for if he was being moved to a team
that wasn';t competitive? He may not have been given a heads up when traded
from Boston to LA, but chances are, that trade wouldn';t have happened
elsewhere because he';d have squashed it in a heartbeat. Lucic even admitted he
 could have had some say but found the idea of Los Angeles intriguing.

In the end, maybe this was just bad timing. Maybe Lucic never wanted to leave
Edmonton and told the Oilers this from the second his name popped up in the
rumor mill. Maybe he wouldn';t shoot down a trade to anywhere the Oilers ask,
if they do, in fact, ever ask him to go.

Still, it';s disheartening to hear Lucic say DeRozan doesn';t have a right to
be emotional because he';ll be coached by one of the best coaches in the
history of the NBA in Greg Popovich, he';ll make $30 million per year and play
in a location that has no state tax. Lucic didn';t just say so, he said so
emphatically by saying," nobody feels bad for you, like fu%$ off."

Yes, DeRozan will be coached by the best, he will make good money and he won';t
 pay state tax. It doesn';t mean he didn';t deserve better treatment on the way
 out.Related: Oilers Should Consider Trading NurseThe Real Milan Lucic Is...

What are we to make of this interview? Is this a Milan Lucic who wanted out,
realized he was untradeable and is now doing a 180-degree turn? Maybe he was
being a good guy and his willingness to move only a gesture on his part to help
 the Oilers who felt it best to try and move him? Or, were the rumors overblown
 and he never wanted out in the first place?

Furthermore, will Lucic have the same attitude about athletes being
unexpectedly traded if he struggles this season and trade talks kick up again?
It';s great news Lucic is fond of the Edmonton Oilers and wants to be a better
player. It';s too bad he had to run down someone else to try and get that point
 across.

The post Did Milan Lucic Put His Foot in His Mouth? appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

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