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BACKCHECK!!! · 10-20-2013, 07:59 PM

1) All things considered, Horak is better than Jackman. Jackman has only ever had one season where he was better than replacement-level, and he loses a lot more fights than he wins.

2) SOB has been anything but quiet. Every game he has made a serious attempt to lead the rush, or make a drop pass in the o-zone, or throw down a spin-o-rama, etc. These have been mostly harmless, in that they don't succeed, but don't seem to end up in the Flames' net either. I'd almost be tempted to give him a little bit of rope and see if he can execute a little bit of a two-way game.

3) But not with Butler. Butler has been terrible when paired with SOB, and absolutely needs a change before he plays his way out of the NHL. I still think he has the tools to be a 2nd pairing defender in the next year or two, and is worth holding on to for now.

4) Nobody is taking runs at the kids, and McGrattan isn't fighting? Sounds like the deterrent factor is working. The fact that McGrattan is putting in useful shifts from time to time and not getting totally killed every time is just gravy.

5) Breen in while Butler sits in the pressbox for a few days sounds like a plan.

10-20-2013, 07:59 PM	#35
BACKCHECK!!! First Line Centre Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: TEXAS!! Exp:	1) All things considered, Horak is better than Jackman. Jackman has only ever had one season where he was better than replacement-level, and he loses a lot more fights than he wins. 2) SOB has been anything but quiet. Every game he has made a serious attempt to lead the rush, or make a drop pass in the o-zone, or throw down a spin-o-rama, etc. These have been mostly harmless, in that they don't succeed, but don't seem to end up in the Flames' net either. I'd almost be tempted to give him a little bit of rope and see if he can execute a little bit of a two-way game. 3) But not with Butler. Butler has been terrible when paired with SOB, and absolutely needs a change before he plays his way out of the NHL. I still think he has the tools to be a 2nd pairing defender in the next year or two, and is worth holding on to for now. 4) Nobody is taking runs at the kids, and McGrattan isn't fighting? Sounds like the deterrent factor is working. The fact that McGrattan is putting in useful shifts from time to time and not getting totally killed every time is just gravy. 5) Breen in while Butler sits in the pressbox for a few days sounds like a plan. __________________ I am a lunatic whose world revolves around hockey and Oilers hate.