Quote:
Originally Posted by RobDoupe
Before Davidson hired Hitchcock, he asked the leadership (Backes, Jackman, McDonald) if the team was ready to buy in completely to a tough, winning coach. They said yes, and Davidson went ahead with the hire. That gave Hitchcock the authority in the dressing room to bench anyone, or move anyone to the fourth line if they didn't commit to total team defence. T.J. Oshie shows up late for practice? Enjoy the next game from the press box. Perron doesn't back check? Welcome to the fourth line.
The Flames haven't shown that kind of coaching buy-in for years. Flames veterans regard defensive assignments as optional suggestions. And the elephant in the room is that in the Flames organization, the coach is going to lose any fight with Iginla.
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I keep hearing that Iginla isn't "buying in", but are people not actually watching the game?
Iginla is playing as well defensively right now as he ever has. He's getting PK time, he's backchecking, he's doing everything people have been complaining about him not doing
But he only has 3 points in 5 games. That's why people are mad.
Iginla has had some great chances. He had at least 3 good ones against Vancouver, a couple against Anaheim, a few against the Oilers... just because your captain isn't lighting the lamp offensively in 5 games doesn't mean he's not buying in.
Sometimes a team just isn't that good and there's nothing you can do about it.