Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
You could say the same about our team and point to how Gio is 31, Hudler is 31, Stajan is 31, Wideman is 32, and Engelland is 32 (turns 33 this week). We brought in Hiller who is 33.
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I think the players you list right there say a whole lot about the differences.
Giordano and Hudler I'll give you. I don't expect Hudler to perform this well for too long. Giordano, who knows? I expected him to cap out around the time Iginla was traded so every step he has taken since is a bonus to me.
But the rest aren't terribly important. Stajan is a 4th line centre, Hiller is playing about equal amounts with Ramo, I'd argue Wideman is the Flames' 4th defenceman (Giordano, Brodie, Russell are over him) and Engelland is a support defenceman who's getting a wide number of minutes to keep the Russell/Wideman pairing together.
By comparison, the Sedins and Vrbata are the top 3 forwards for points while Hamhuis is likely their #2 defence. These players, who play big roles on the Canucks, are getting older and I'm not sure they have the pieces to replace all the above.