Nothing wrong with the Flames Organization wanting players to be full 200ft performers.
That is part of what Feaster talked about even 2 years ago - being a team that is harder to play against. Sure, it would be great if everyone on the team was 6'5", fast, skilled and hit everything right through the boards, but that just isn't going to happen.
Being a team (like Detroit) that places an emphasis on team, and develops systems where they can be effective in all zones is important. Asking Baertschi to skate back hard and do a little bit of back-checking does force turnovers is wrong suddenly?
This is how the Flames want to be - a 200ft team that competes hard. People are criticizing this and insinuating that it is 'wrong' to ask Baertschi to do this? That his offensive flair is going to dry up because of this? No, they just want him to come back, put pressure on the opposing teams and help force turn-overs that will lead to more offensive opportunities.
Iginla was ARGUABLY the best player in the league for a few seasons because he did it all. We aren't asking Baertschi to fight like Iginla, or hit like Iginla, and we don't expect Baertschi to dig the puck out of the corners like Iginla used to - but we want him to play as hard as Iginla did and backcheck like Iginla used to.
So many posters here were frustrated with Iginla's last couple of seasons especially. Would be funny if any of them are now criticizing Burke for these comments.
Flames (imo) are modelling themselves a bit more like Detroit in trying to be a very good puck-possession team, but one with a bit more size and physicality. That is the message I am at least (mis)understanding.
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