Kevin does not tend to peak early in the season anymore, having had to deal with boot issues and injuries for last several years I think he now smartly understands his time to bring his best skating is AFTER the GP season with all the fed politiking and more in terms of shining as a strongly valued team player, not so much as an individual contending podium star -- that's mainly been Patrick's Job! However, folks should remember Kevin has ALWAYS come through when it really counts by nationals, to make the team, then Olympics to help Canada medal in team event, and later Worlds to help qualify as many men as possible... So I deeply respect Kevin and his past contributions and I still believe he is a top 10 world contender esp., when he is on, healthy and in good boots, and if he turns up his speed, rotates and lands cleanly he could do very well for himself AND for Canada! Yes, COC was craptacular esp in terms of his SP score but as he adjusted to time change, etc., he rebounded somewhat in the free to show his training is on track, and to showcase his potential to score well by time he needs to bring his best -- which is usually much later in the season, and with retirement looming for both Himself and Patrick, as well as Firus and Balde, I am betting subconsciously Kevin's hoping some other young CDN gun on GP circuit is getting ready to really step up and contend and/or qualify future spots by 2018 worlds in Italy.
Yay, Nicolas! The highlight of the night for the crowd at SC, I think. He was terrific. Got the crowd like I remember Ryan Bradley used to do when he was on. Just sold that program 100%.
He's had years to figure out speed and how to land cleanly. At this point I think what we see is what we get. Quads are his thing and it was enough for awhile, but now there's so many other men either doing quads way better or more quads that it's going to be really hard for him to replicate past success.
