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Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.
I think we can dispense with that notion now. It was part of the rationale for keeping MacDonald, and that didn't turn out. Plus, MacGrattan isn't the only vet on this team.
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I never heard of it as a rationale for keeping MacDonald, to be honest.
McGrattan is definitely not the only vet on this team - but which vet is going to step up when other teams are pushing Sven, Monahan, and the rest? Glencross is about it. O'Brien? Smid? Whom else?
I think at this point, it comes down to Jackman or McGrattan. If the team was built like LA or some other big teams out there, I would side with the "McGrattan isn't really needed outside of a few games against certain teams, if even that." Being one of the smallest and youngest teams out there, his presence is probably more required.
How much better did Baertschi feel last year when McGrattan said something like "Just go out there and don't worry about a thing. If anyone touches you, I will kill them." or whatever it was. Makes players have that extra bit of confidence, or perhaps removes a bit of worry at times?