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Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle
I understand they are out there the most for goals against, I'm not arguing they aren't our "worst" d-men that dress (which is why they are the 3rd pair). But in order to cost the team, there needs to be better options to replace them with that we are choosing not to use. Smid and Englland rounding out our top 6 for example are an upgrade over the D overall last year.
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Well, if this is any indication:
http://www.matchsticksandgasoline.co...a-regular-line
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Surprise performer here in Rafa Diaz. He didn't face tough competition, but he didn't get preferable zone starts, either, but he sure was an asset, and he was miles better when separated from Deryk Engelland - we're talking from 43.75% CF with to 88.89% without - although it should be stressed that that's 10 minutes with, and three without.
Still, Engelland just isn't as good. He had a harder time in regards to zone starts, but that doesn't take away from the fact that the Flames were doing much better possession-wise with Diaz out there. I genuinely cannot, for the life of me, understand why Hartley defaults to Ladislav Smid with Engelland when everyone's healthy. Diaz isn't this team's #7 defenceman, he's the #5.
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Then maybe even the guy we've kind of neglected is a better choice than than Engelland to put beside Smid.