MacTipsy doesn't think his defencemen need to actually, you know, play defence. How else can you explain the complete lack of any defensive play from this team? The one somewhat shutdown guy they had they just traded to their biggest rivals for the Flames' 11th or so best forward prospect and our 5th best goalie prospect (and yes, LB becomes the Oilers best goalie prospect but that is more an indictment of how horrible their drafting is outside "first overall").
Horak is a bit of a tweener that is fast closing in on needing waivers to be sent down. i don't think he ever makes it above a third liner unfortunately (I like the guy), and with the Flames having Colborne and Knight, he wasn't going to get a shot here.
LB hasn't shown he can win the big game. He had a good run with the Oil Kings, but pooped the bed in the Memorial Cup. With the Flames, he was very clearly the fifth best goalie at camp behind all of MacDonald, Ramo, Berra and Ortio. Take MacDonald out as he is not in the long term plans, but add in Gillis who is leaps and bounds better already than LB and you have zero room for him too. I doubt he ever gets more than a cup of coffee in the NHL.
A solid 4-5 stay at home defenceman with a bit of a mean streak signed to a decent, if not cap friendly contract for 3 more years for a small tweener and longshot. Excellent job MacTipsy.
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