Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
Count me in as shocked if Stajan gets extended.
He has been more physical - even chippy at times! - but he in no way fits Burke's thoughts of bottom 6.
Though he is filling in admirably on a depleted roster like Calgary's in the top 6, that is exactly what he is doing - filling in. I like Stajan and what he has been doing the last 2 years - a complete 180 from the guy who allowed a long-shot rookie in Horak to just take his job, and then had that defeatist attitude that Feaster went off on. He is now a guy that doesn't give up on many plays, tries to be scrappy, and is a much more successful player on the ice.
However, based on what Burke has stated, I just don't see how he fits the team anywhere. He would only be a stop-gap anyways. With Monahan, Knight and Colborne on the upswing, with Backlund who is younger and ARGUABLY has more upside (though he doesn't seem like a 'Burke' type either), and a wildcard like Jankowski (plus Arnold who is often over-looked), you have to start assuming that Stajan would only be a stop-gap for this team.
Doubtful that Stajan would agree to sign for 2 years or less, and doubtful the Flames would want to invest in anything longer. I am sure he will be traded.
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Agreed!
As much as I have enjoyed this more aggressive version of Matt Stajan, I have no reason to believe he will play this way after an extension.
In addition, baertschi is on audition for the next 15 months to prove he is a "TOP-6 forward". If he's not that in Burke's(or new GMs) eyes, he's traded.
The "Burke rule" is: bottom 6 is big and "truculent", while still able to play hockey.
Bottom line: if u r small, u better be a valuable, scoring, responsible top-6 forward. Otherwise: BUH-BYE!