^ That is the challenge, assessing individuals in the context of a team game. Bouw was overwhelmed on a team with no top 2 way C and no great defense partner. Ian White had league leading stats paired with Lidstrom and having Datsyuk as the top C. All of StL, Det and LA have both structure, good defensive forwards and system, and depth.
So the question is who can succeed in the situation they have to work with. Sometimes it is leadership, sometimes it is playing within your means. And having an adept coach and GM that can make that determination.
Regehr couldn't carry Calgary, nor could Bouw. Shea Weber may have had trouble with no C, no training camp, and tons of changes. Feaster was free to value Regehr highly, but he would get different results on Buffalo and LA. Obviously he still has game but it dropped on Calgary and blaming the rest of the team is in part for Feaster admitting defeat. Plus, it was a team in "cap jail" and making a statement towards change of direction.
I don't fault anyone and am glad to see that Regehr, despite not being Superman enough to improve the lowly Sabres, still can play a key role on a solid team. He really is a guy who does ideally contribute to a strong team rather than being an individual contributor on a weak team. Those guys you likely pay
|