It has little to do with Iggy and Kipper. Deleting them solves nothing and leaves more holes.
It is the way the team is built. No checking C, no shutdown D. Not tough to play against.
Darryl made some poor assessments in talent and priorities in adapting to the post lockout game. In 2004 you had people with jobs to do and who were good at those jobs. Hindsight helps us understand that you can't bring in general filler players and stuff them into new roles.
Olli had the talent to get 90 points in Florida and the size and offensive skill to produce. When the Flames were winning with Langkow and Conroy, they each had the solid 2 way game down and supplemented with enough offensive threat. Olli never learned that 2 way game.
Stephane Yelle. The guy was on winners for a reason. A checking C. The Flames have not had that for years. Frustrated other teams' top centers.
Niemenen-Nilson-Donovan. Niemenen was irritating and this line was fast and energetic.
Conroy-Moss-Glencross under Keenan were a great depth line. Now that Glencross fancies himself a scorer and spent time with Olli rather than Conny he forgot how to play without the puck apparently. Needs a guy like Conny supporting the D and also keeping him accountable.
Phaneuf had swagger and people couldn't stand playing against him, kept their heads up. Sure he put himself out of position at times, but he had compete. Bouw made him expendable. Peca said how tough of a night you have against Bouw.
The D for years had some of Regehr, Warrener, Phaneuf, even Commodore during the run was mean.
Just no identity and it's not on Iggy. Even when he is winning board battles, hitting and shooting, he is not going to make Bouwmeester and Butler physical or turn Olli into a smart attentive 2 way center.
The team needs to follow a blueprint, and Phaneuf for spare part generalists set this franchise back. Burke built a good young D in Toronto. If there was any merit to those rumours, you can bet there would be a good shakeup.
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