I don't entirely understand it (Hartley mentioned conditioning and attitude as two factors after the call up). Though I know that he's rubbed a few guys on the team the wrong way, and just wasn't the most popular player with the coaches.
Yet I still remember him pissing off an entire Ducks team, almost sporting us to break the curse there, being the most physical presence on the team for several games during his first stint here, then breaking his foot making some heroic block in Phoenix. After that though he seemed buried behind our depth players and unable to surface again and claim a spot, for whatever reasons.
He definitely looks to have earned another chance, and so far has seized the opportunity. It's a very, very good sign when we have our 4th line actually putting up points. Thank god they actually got someone with finishing ability on there to play with Backs.
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