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Calgary4LIfe · 03-27-2014, 01:18 PM

I am not sure why people keep bringing up Regehr with respect to a discussion about Butler. I can understand if you want to bring up the trade in terms of value, but it makes little sense to me to bring him up saying: "People who hate him only because he can't fill Regehr's shoes".

I couldn't stand Butler every single season right up until this one, but it had nothing to do with Regehr or the trade, and everything to do with Butler's performance.

This year, he has really been much more consistently decent - still makes the odd mistake here and there, but everyone does - including Giordano. He doesn't seem to be struggling, and seems to be getting better at making better decisions under pressure (which in the past, would cause turnovers and terrible outlet passes). I can say I 'like' Butler now - but it still has absolutely nothing at all with Regehr.

It is as logical to me as trying to hate on Iginla for not bringing us a cup like Nieuwendyk did, or now hating Agostino, Hanowski and Klimchuk because they were traded for Iginla.

Butler was hated I think because he was simply terrible, and it was compounded with Sutter's insistence on playing him on the top pairing where he would constantly get exposed. He wasn't good last year, even playing bottom pairing minutes, and even at the start of the season, he was not very good at all playing bottom-pairing minutes either. For at least the last half of this season, however, he has been fairly steady, and I like him - and it has absolutely nothing to do with me loving Regehr back in the day one way or the other.

I wouldn't mind keeping him for another season or two - but Wotherspoon is licking at his heels right now. Give Wotherspoon most of next season, and I bet he passes Butler. As long as Burke doesn't sign him to a long-term deal, I will be happy. I won't be too bothered if they let him walk either - he is just a competent bottom-pairing defencemen at the moment, and though he can still develop further, it isn't like he possesses any great skills and strengths to make you believe he will become any more than a fairly good bottom-pairing defencemen.

You still have Wideman and Smid - both of which bring something to the table. Smid with his grit, Wideman with his PP ability. Butler has become an ace at shot blocking though, and he deserves that respect - which is why I wouldn't be against re-signing him.

03-27-2014, 01:18 PM	#88
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I am not sure why people keep bringing up Regehr with respect to a discussion about Butler. I can understand if you want to bring up the trade in terms of value, but it makes little sense to me to bring him up saying: "People who hate him only because he can't fill Regehr's shoes". I couldn't stand Butler every single season right up until this one, but it had nothing to do with Regehr or the trade, and everything to do with Butler's performance. This year, he has really been much more consistently decent - still makes the odd mistake here and there, but everyone does - including Giordano. He doesn't seem to be struggling, and seems to be getting better at making better decisions under pressure (which in the past, would cause turnovers and terrible outlet passes). I can say I 'like' Butler now - but it still has absolutely nothing at all with Regehr. It is as logical to me as trying to hate on Iginla for not bringing us a cup like Nieuwendyk did, or now hating Agostino, Hanowski and Klimchuk because they were traded for Iginla. Butler was hated I think because he was simply terrible, and it was compounded with Sutter's insistence on playing him on the top pairing where he would constantly get exposed. He wasn't good last year, even playing bottom pairing minutes, and even at the start of the season, he was not very good at all playing bottom-pairing minutes either. For at least the last half of this season, however, he has been fairly steady, and I like him - and it has absolutely nothing to do with me loving Regehr back in the day one way or the other. I wouldn't mind keeping him for another season or two - but Wotherspoon is licking at his heels right now. Give Wotherspoon most of next season, and I bet he passes Butler. As long as Burke doesn't sign him to a long-term deal, I will be happy. I won't be too bothered if they let him walk either - he is just a competent bottom-pairing defencemen at the moment, and though he can still develop further, it isn't like he possesses any great skills and strengths to make you believe he will become any more than a fairly good bottom-pairing defencemen. You still have Wideman and Smid - both of which bring something to the table. Smid with his grit, Wideman with his PP ability. Butler has become an ace at shot blocking though, and he deserves that respect - which is why I wouldn't be against re-signing him.