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Calgary4LIfe · 10-23-2014, 02:02 PM

I just think the Flames have not needed him as much as they did last season. This team has more toughness now with Bollig (though he isn't the greatest of fighters) and Engelland (better fighter, but not on the level of heavyweights).

McGrattan is the best fighter in the league, but there are few guys left that can really fight him. Flames are simply using him as they need him, but I don't think a team run by Burke and Treliving (seems that Treliving is of a like mind with Burke) will go without an enforcer. They will be one of the last teams - maybe the very last team - to go without one I am guessing.

Also, I think there is a bit of history with the Flames and having a 'tough guy' in the lineup. You had years of Hunter (can anyone argue that his contributions weren't enormous?), McCarthy (toughest in the league for a few years, though turned into a primadonna somewhat thinking he was a better hockey player than what reality showed), Goddard (Hand of God!), Oliwa, Berube (huge fan favorite as well), Belak, Boughner, Grimson, Churla, Ivanans (though that hardly worked out), PL3, McCarty, Nazarov, Peluso, Roy (probably my least favorite), Simon, Westgarth, and probably a few others I am just forgetting.

The Flames have a long history with toughness and enforcers. That is part of the 'brand' in Calgary - that "Black and Blue" hockey. Feaster even acknowledged this, and Burke definitely has.

Calgary wants to remain a team that has lots of toughness (drafting Kanzig and Smith for the future, as well as Ferland already drafted) reinforces this. Enforcers are a different level than these three prospects, but given the history of enforcers and the Flames, I would bet Calgary would be one of the last teams - if not the very last - to stop carrying one.

The 'trouble' with a good enforcer is that they aren't crazy meat-heads out there (like Gillies!) so their role is more and more minimized. Nobody is going to expect McGrattan to jump a guy that doesn't want to fight, or do something dirty (like Lucic), and I don't think anybody would want to see that happen anyways, even against a heated rival. However, I should hope that McGrattan dresses for the two games vs Boston to make sure they keep Lucic and "sneaky elbows" Chara a bit more honest, and other teams like that who do have very tough players, even if they don't carry an 'enforcer'.

If there was ever a team in the Western Conference that has historically been 'Philly-like', it has been Calgary. Tough to vote on this one since option 4 is probably the best approximation as to what I think, but the best option for me would be: 'He hasn't been needed as much', but Bollig hasn't replaced him in my opinion. McGrattan is a 'deterrent', while I don't think you can really say that about Bollig (or Engelland, who I think is tougher actually).

10-23-2014, 02:02 PM	#39
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I just think the Flames have not needed him as much as they did last season. This team has more toughness now with Bollig (though he isn't the greatest of fighters) and Engelland (better fighter, but not on the level of heavyweights). McGrattan is the best fighter in the league, but there are few guys left that can really fight him. Flames are simply using him as they need him, but I don't think a team run by Burke and Treliving (seems that Treliving is of a like mind with Burke) will go without an enforcer. They will be one of the last teams - maybe the very last team - to go without one I am guessing. Also, I think there is a bit of history with the Flames and having a 'tough guy' in the lineup. You had years of Hunter (can anyone argue that his contributions weren't enormous?), McCarthy (toughest in the league for a few years, though turned into a primadonna somewhat thinking he was a better hockey player than what reality showed), Goddard (Hand of God!), Oliwa, Berube (huge fan favorite as well), Belak, Boughner, Grimson, Churla, Ivanans (though that hardly worked out), PL3, McCarty, Nazarov, Peluso, Roy (probably my least favorite), Simon, Westgarth, and probably a few others I am just forgetting. The Flames have a long history with toughness and enforcers. That is part of the 'brand' in Calgary - that "Black and Blue" hockey. Feaster even acknowledged this, and Burke definitely has. Calgary wants to remain a team that has lots of toughness (drafting Kanzig and Smith for the future, as well as Ferland already drafted) reinforces this. Enforcers are a different level than these three prospects, but given the history of enforcers and the Flames, I would bet Calgary would be one of the last teams - if not the very last - to stop carrying one. The 'trouble' with a good enforcer is that they aren't crazy meat-heads out there (like Gillies!) so their role is more and more minimized. Nobody is going to expect McGrattan to jump a guy that doesn't want to fight, or do something dirty (like Lucic), and I don't think anybody would want to see that happen anyways, even against a heated rival. However, I should hope that McGrattan dresses for the two games vs Boston to make sure they keep Lucic and "sneaky elbows" Chara a bit more honest, and other teams like that who do have very tough players, even if they don't carry an 'enforcer'. If there was ever a team in the Western Conference that has historically been 'Philly-like', it has been Calgary. Tough to vote on this one since option 4 is probably the best approximation as to what I think, but the best option for me would be: 'He hasn't been needed as much', but Bollig hasn't replaced him in my opinion. McGrattan is a 'deterrent', while I don't think you can really say that about Bollig (or Engelland, who I think is tougher actually).