Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.
I've not noticed it too much in general, but did notice that in the first SJ game of the year we were visibly outmuscled (not roughed up). Dressing McGrattan won't address that problem.
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I think this is why we have seen Hartley dress Jackman over players like Bartschi. Add some toughness and grit, subtract weak and pushed off of puck. (I'm oversimplifying here a lot). I am not saying this is right or that I agreed with it. This comment just made me think about it completely differently.
I think Smid will help with this aspect of our game. We could really use another big strong gritty forward that can play in the top six. But this is part and parcel of the rebuild that is happening. I thought David Jones would add more but he has not really played to my expectations in terms of being hard to play against and in terms of timely offense.
We need our young players to fill out and get tougher. Maybe this was part of the Bartschi message. Play tougher and put some weight on in the off-season..