That is wrong no matter how you look at it. Something called pride should take over plus those people make enough to play well during the playoffs.
Ummmm, hockey players play for this silver thing called... Lord Stanley's Cup!!! And to have their names engraved on it for ever and ever, to cement their place in history, to complete their legacy as a "winner".
Steve Yzerman without a Cup... I really don't even want to think what his legacy may have become. He'd still be better than Mats Sundin... but with a lot less luster... Sorry, only loser Leaf that immediately came to mind.
And players play for future deals. Money players come through in the clutch - there's a premium for that. Remember Esa Tikkanen? A dog during the regular season, then money when space gets tight and the game turns into a grind. Extended his career for far longer than it should have. If you don't get that platform, you lose the opportunity to showcase that knack.
Seriously, what have you Mr. Holliday been smoking? (I'd like some!
) As everyone says, there's professional pride and integrity. Even if I'm getting paid slower than I want, it doesn't mean I'm going to lay a brick on the job. Hockey players are not basketball or baseball players, they actually have some honor. I guess that's a foreign concept for some...