[lanny9]

Watching the Flames this year, although exciting I am always left wanting to see more reaction to certain plays. Last night for example, we have Letang slashing and cross checking everyone in sight and not one of our guys takes exception to the treatment, they just move along like nothing was going on. I saw two times where Letang cross checked Johnny, once pretty hard to the ribs and nothing.

Then there is the Smid hit, which Depres jumped right into the head area leaving Smid unable to finish the game and has now been placed on the IR. Did anything happen? Nope, I did see Bollig try once to get him to go once but after that nothing.

Now, if teams know they can get away with dirty plays and taking liberties with our star players (yes I consider Johnny a star on this team) they will continue to do so and get the "edge" advantage in the game thus playing us harder in that aspect of the game. It is like we are intimidated or scared of getting into a fight. Now I'm not saying I want them losing their #### anytime there is a hit but when there is obvious disregard for your teammates health you need to react. There is no way that Depres should have left that game without answering the call, same with letang who kept it up all game long. It is either that or we start taking liberties with the other teams stars, call fair game on Malkin! Gio, Glenncross, Bollig, Engelland and McGrattan, these are guys capable and guys who should be stepping up when these things happen imo.

It just seems to me that we are very nonchalant in this area and need to develop more of an edge, I mean we all can't be Monahans, guys need to be held to account for their actions but I just don't see it happening within this team yet. Thoughts?