Quote:
Originally Posted by JayP
It's hard for the "small softies" to play their game when they are on the ice with a defenseman that can't make a controlled zone exit though. It's pretty tough to play a skill game when you can't gain speed through the neutral zone.
I understand the benefits of adding a guy like Engelland to a rebuilding team, but the white-washing of his obvious flaws is getting ridiculous. How is he going to create space for our younger players when he is pinned in his own end the majority of the time? I don't mind the deal given the Flames current situation, but I just hope the team trends away from this type of player when the team starts winning games.
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They don't have to play with them. They just have to be a presence.
Last year, after the brawl with Vancouver, Kassian was yapping at the Flames all game long after the big boys were ejected. Took a cheapshot on Bouma as well that left him with a shiner. Tried getting SOB to fight because he knows SOB is not a good fighter.
I can guarantee that Kassian won't be doing any of that next year. He can run from McGrattan as he's out of his weight class, but he'll have to answer to Engelland and Bollig.
This is how hockey is played.
Oh by the way, Flames ended up losing that game to the Canucks. They were pushed around after the big boys left and the Canucks took over.