Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
I say yes, it is wrong. Smid and Engelland are bottom-pairing guys, who are playing like bottom-pairing defensemen. I would suggest that easily more than half the teams in the NHL are plagued by precisely the same problem. Besides, Engelland din't play in this game, and I thought that Smid acquitted himself okay on a few occasions by making some solid plays—it's just kind of what happens with bottom-pairing defensemen. And in the present market, there is just no real way to upgrade. I suppose the Flames could call up Wotherspoon or Culkin, but I'm not convinced this is what is best for them at the moment.
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I agree with the bolded part but I think the Flames problem with the third pairing is a little more than just a bottom pairing problem. I think they are out of their element on this team.
The Flames are built on speed and mobility and tenaciousness over big lumbering hitters. It's the same reason I think McGratton looks so out of place, just not fitting the makeup of this team. Teams have to respond to quickness and speed, but suddenly the bottom pairing come out and it's like playing in slow motion and I think it makes them easier to play against then if they were on a bigger slower cycle team.
I don't know what kind of skaters Wotherspoon or Culkin are but if they are just big bodies that hit I totally agree they won't fair any better. I have liked Smid and Engelland (I know it was Diaz last night) but I don't think they fit into the makeup of this team, even as a 3rd pairing. But I agree they will do the job until suitable replacements can be found.