Has the Cheechoo train run out of NHL track?

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Almost as uncomfortable as Jonathan Cheechoo(notes) being unable to catch on with the Dallas Stars via a tryout contract is hearing team brass trying to build a bed of feathers for him to land on after being released today.

Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk to Dallas Stars Blog:

"We talked to him and it was clear he was not going to make our roster, so we thought we would allow him to study different options. ... He's a great guy, and he's very professional, and we really do hope the best for him."

Coach Marc Crawford to ESPN Dallas:

"He's a good player, he's played well but you've got to be better than the people that we've got in the top positions. ... No disrespect, but our guys in the top positions said to us that no one is taking our spot. You really have to outplay somebody. It's unfortunate, but that's where it is.

"Jonathan is a good pro and is a real honest person. He gave us great effort and we could have very easily kept him, but we felt it would be better to let him try to find something else."

So they could have kept a guy who was on a tryout contract after no one else would take him, but felt it was better that he become unemployed. OK then.

Cheechoo appeared in two exhibition games. He saw time with Mike Ribeiro(notes) and Brendan Morrow against the Tampa Bay Lightning, skating to a minus-2 with two shots on goal. He played even at 13:31 against the Colorado Avalanche, recording two shots.

What now for Cheechoo? Is there a team that scouted the Stars and saw something in him that warrants another NHL contract? Is he AHL bound? Is he bound for Europe?

Going overseas wouldn't be the worst option for Cheechoo. It's good money, it's lesser competition, and it's a chance to do what this preseason was supposed to do, which was build up his confidence again. From a good chat between Cheechoo and Mike Heika:

"I feel like I have that strength now. A lot of it is confidence, and when you lose confidence, you struggle to get it back. I'm just working on that and finding my shot. I built a shooting structure in my backyard and worked a lot there. I'm just hoping it all pays off.''

We were pulling for Cheechoo to make the cut for the Stars. It would have been the beginnings of a Masterton-worthy comeback story. Alas, it's not meant to be in Big D. The question is whether there's another chapter for him.

You have to feel bad from the guy. From a 56 goals to not being able to earn a roster spot on non-playoff team has got to hurt.

[titanium2 867]

What the hell happened to this guy?

[cjm502 165]

How can you go from a top scorer in the league to not being able to make a team? Seriously, how does that happen?

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

It's unreal.

[Mckinley25 679]

Was he playing on a line with Thorton when he registered those 56 goals? I wonder if Joe should get a lot more credit for his scoring that year.

[cjm502 165]

Was he playing on a line with Thorton when he registered those 56 goals? I wonder if Joe should get a lot more credit for his scoring that year.

Im sorry, Joe isnt that good. In todays NHL you have to be a damn good player to score 56 goals, I dont care who you play with.

[puckloo39 5,686]

that's a shame, really. Cheechoo was the real deal, I saw him play as a rookie in San Jose. He was amazing. What happened, Cheech?

Best of luck to him.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

[Bannedforlife 403]

Im sorry, Joe isnt that good. In todays NHL you have to be a damn good player to score 56 goals, I dont care who you play with.

I think it was just the confidence of playing with Joe. He had 7 goals and 8 assists in 24 games before Joe came to town and 49 goals and 29 assists in 58 games after. It's pretty clear to me where all those points came from.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Didn't Thornton assist on, something like, 9 out of every 10 Cheechoo goals?

[soultrain 43]

What the hell happened to this guy?

He got injured in san hoe and has never been the same. People can't believe this guy fell so hard, so fast. Not me, this dude has been worthless since his hernia surgery after his 37 goal season. Playing with Big Joe helped him, but the league figured this guy out, and he has always been a slow skater. When Ottawa picked him up in the Heatly deal everyone figured a fresh start would elevate his game but this dude has never recovered...and sorry Cheech lovers...he will never be a goal scorer in the NHL ever again.

Edited September 27, 2010 by soultrain

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

They should have a Jim Carey award in the NHL.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

He got injured in san hoe and has never been the same. People can't believe this guy fell so hard, so fast. Not me, this dude has been worthless since his hernia surgery after his 37 goal season. Playing with Big Joe helped him, but the league figured this guy out, and he has always been a slow skater. When Ottawa picked him up in the Heatly deal everyone figured a fresh start would elevate his game but this dude has never recovered...and sorry Cheech lovers...he will never be a goal scorer in the NHL ever again.

I still can't believe how things turned out for him.

[JasonNewEra 84]

To be honest it probably was a bit of luck and bounces. The NHL can be as harsh as the MLB. Slight changes in the way you move, or how you hit/shoot can make even a prolific player have a bad year. Same for an injury too I suppose but many men have come back from that. Cheech probably needs a confidence boost, and he'll find his groove again.

Betcha the Wings could fix him.

[Guest ToMaToToWnWinGsFaN_24]

hope someone at least signs him

whether it be in the NHL, or overseas

guys a beast

[stevkrause 1,247]

Right handed RW that put up 56 goals in this league once when paired with a dynamic passer, only 30 years old and essentially out of hockey... it's pretty crazy...

With that said, if he can't land anywhere on even a 2-way contract, I'd LOVE to see Wing's brass put him in contact with Chelios/Hudler/etc's training group out in LA - Tell him to go train his ass off for a year, clear his head and we'll see him at camp next year for a tryout... the Wing's seem to be pretty good at reclamation projects and there's ZERO risk to this, worse case scenario, he's REALLY done, doesn't make our roster (Detroit or GR) and we lose nothing - Best case scenario, we resurrect his career and add another scoring threat.

Chelios, get on the horn - first (light) duty as a front office member of the Wings.

[titanium2 867]

If the Wings think they can "fix" him then they'll give him an opportunity.

[Guest Heaten]

From what I understand his knees are shot and he can't skate like he use to. I don't think anything can 'fix' him. I think Howe would have a better shot making the team.

[Jedi 1,865]

If the Wings think they can "fix" him then they'll give him an opportunity.

Not likely, at least for this year. We have no room for him on any line but the 4th, which is already under fierce competition between Helm, Abdelkador, Eaves, Miller, Draper, Ritola, and (in a pinch), Maltby. There's zero chance that they'll add another name to that list.

Not to mention the fact that we have next to nothing in available cap space.

And for the sake of my sanity, please GOD don't let it happen. Those stupid whistles would drive me bat-sh*t crazy...

[titanium2 867]

Not likely, at least for this year. We have no room for him on any line but the 4th, which is already under fierce competition between Helm, Abdelkador, Eaves, Miller, Draper, Ritola, and (in a pinch), Maltby. There's zero chance that they'll add another name to that list.

Not to mention the fact that we have next to nothing in available cap space.

And for the sake of my sanity, please GOD don't let it happen. Those stupid whistles would drive me bat-sh*t crazy...

Well, actually I was going to say, "If the Wings thought they could fix him then they would've given him a tryout" but it's nicer if I use the present tense. Ah well, tried to be nice.

[Guest Crymson]

I think it was just the confidence of playing with Joe. He had 7 goals and 8 assists in 24 games before Joe came to town and 49 goals and 29 assists in 58 games after. It's pretty clear to me where all those points came from.

His individual efforts from the year leave little doubt that he had talent on his own. Too, his totals in '03-'04 had been fairly good.

[drwscc 212]

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

His individual efforts from the year leave little doubt that he had talent on his own. Too, his totals in '03-'04 had been fairly good.

He was on pace to hit at least 20 goals during 05-06 before Thornton came over, that's still pretty good.

[Carman 387]

He was pretty good before Thornton, a solid 15-20 goal guy.

He had great chemistry with Thornton and managed to just get a unbelievable season which put expectations extremely high.

He had injuries, and no longer played with an elite playermaker, which killed his confidence.

He couldn't return to a 20 goal guy due to the combination of not having an elite play-maker, injuries, and confidence.

Edited September 27, 2010 by Carman

[blgillett 48]

The choochoo ran out of steam! Or nobody wanted those stupid whistles in their building

What the hell happened to this guy?