Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Keenan blasts young Oilers; same could be said for the Flames

Buff · 02-22-2013, 04:01 PM

I think there are some answers in the room for this grit, but not enough. I've said this for several years now, the Flames are missing a pest. In 2004 they had a pest in Nieminen. Pests can get your team going by going out and getting in the face of the other teams. Another key ingredient to that team was toughness. A guy like Simon could play, and make people think twice about going after your players. Simon wasn't the end of it either. Oliwa was also on the team. Then you also had guys who could and would take care of themselves.

This year, the Flames have much more talent than the team I'm talking about, but they desperately lack grit and toughness. Perhaps a guy like Aliu may provide some spark, but there isn't enough team toughness to compliment a pest like Aliu (who isn't a proven NHL player yet either).

02-22-2013, 04:01 PM	#9
Buff Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: I don't belong here Exp:	I think there are some answers in the room for this grit, but not enough. I've said this for several years now, the Flames are missing a pest. In 2004 they had a pest in Nieminen. Pests can get your team going by going out and getting in the face of the other teams. Another key ingredient to that team was toughness. A guy like Simon could play, and make people think twice about going after your players. Simon wasn't the end of it either. Oliwa was also on the team. Then you also had guys who could and would take care of themselves. This year, the Flames have much more talent than the team I'm talking about, but they desperately lack grit and toughness. Perhaps a guy like Aliu may provide some spark, but there isn't enough team toughness to compliment a pest like Aliu (who isn't a proven NHL player yet either).