Option 2

Not that Valieva is on her way out or in decline, but she's no longer the player she once was. Injuries have taken their toll, affecting her speed and strength. The media doesn't know about these injuries (and they must not find out).
Valieva has faced more criticism from the Maryland press lately. That's part of the reason why she decided to step down from her assistant captain position and pass it on to a younger player. She believes it's important to highlight the new generation of talented players in Baltimore who will lead the team into the future. Valieva even gave up a sponsorship deal to a rookie, and tries to shift the spotlight away from herself. She's no longer the face of major marketing campaigns too. Previously, she was often at the center of attention for all the wrong reasons. And kind of liked it. Now, she’s intentionally staying out of the spot light . Hockey is a business, and Valieva has become more cautious about how the media portrays her.

WC: 173