To the people who are confused about bringing in Westgarth when we already have McGrattan. If you want to build a bigger and tougher team then you don't have only one tough guy. What if Big Ern was injured or suspended, or just had the flu and couldn't play in a game where the team wanted to dress more size?
It is the same thing as wanting a team to score more goals and expecting one player to do all the scoring and hoping other get lucky breaks. You want a high scoring team you get more than one guy who you can lean on to score goals.
Brian Burke wants a big team, he is going to hire a GM who shares his vision. Why not put pieces in place for the new GM? The new GM doesn't like some of the pieces that Burke got then he can deal with that in the off season or next year.
The goal is for this team to win the Stanley Cup with a good mix of toughness and skill. They are developing the skill, and that will take time for guys like Monahan and Baertschi to lead the way, but you can't let your developing guys be knocked around, so get that toughness on your team, keep toughness on your team. The tough guys come and go. It is easier to acquire a tough guy than it is to trade for or develop the skill. Build your identity from the 1st day you decide what you want. Burke wants a tough and skilled team, and he's starting with tough because that can be addressed now. The skill will come, but not as quick as the toughness.
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