Quote:
Originally Posted by Vulcan
The team didn't do much in the standings but from the Flames point of view, Ferland,
Granlund, and Jooris were all developed well, Ortio too. For me the biggest disappointment would be Wotherspoon but a couple of other defencemen seemed to have made strides. I think Huska will be back. One season isn't enough to write him off.
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Don't be disappointed in Wotherspoon, Vulcan. Trust me. Him not getting into any NHL games isn't an indication of just how solid this kid is.
The progression is real. He's still the stifling wall he was last season, but he's added a pinch of offense and an ocean's worth of confidence in himself to make the smart plays. Last season, if a puck was nearby but he didn't think he'd get to it before the opposing forward, he'd back off and attack the player after they'd get the puck. This season, he'll go for those loose pucks and often times make something out of it. He's a lot more aggressive in those sorts of plays.
That's just one example, but there are several other areas in which Wotherspoon has taken moon leaps. He'll be fine. I have no doubt he'll be on the Flames blue line next season.