Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheerio
Look up a term called sample size. Great we went 5-6 in the playoffs while giving Engelland big minutes. Having the worst possession numbers during the playoffs as well as having a losing record isn't great.
How about instead of personally attacking me you actually use stats to back up your arguments rather than making baseless claims about Engelland picking up his play when Diaz or Schlemko would have done a better job in the same position. Engelland was the worst possession defenceman on the team this year despite the fact he got to play with Brodie for ~35% of his minutes. Look at his WOWY numbers. He makes everyone he plays with a worse possession player with the exception of Simon Despres. I think him looking better for those 20 minutes were more a result of playing with a top 20 defenceman in the league rather than him magically getting better.
So he's a good fighter and a good character guy, we could have McGrattan do that with less minutes for 1/6th of the price. Being a good character guy doesn't win you Stanley cups, playing on a good team does, that's why Matt Cooke has a cup ring and Iginla doesn't. And fun fact great teams are always great possession teams, look at the Lightning, or the Blackhawks or the Kings. I know corsi is considered a swear word here but the best teams have the best corsis. Engelland is a terrible possession guy who should be played on the bottom pairing, a guy like Schlemko or Diaz would be much better served playing those minutes because they contribute on both ends of the ice.
|
Why do people like you always dispute the character and leadership that guys like Engelland and Bollig bring to a dressing room even though these qualities are specifically pointed out by the coach and management as being important?
Is it because you know so much more about team building in the NHL than these seasoned professionals who actually get paid to do this?
For years under Feaster, this team sucked and got pushed around. Burke and Treliving take over, add some "TRUCULENCE" and leadership and the team makes the playoffs, and all you guys want is to get rid of that truculence and leadership.
Nevermind that the turnaround for this team coincidentally occurred after a line brawl versus the Canucks.
All of the play by play guys, be it Wills, Loubo, Ball, Hrudey, even Simpson and Hughson were praising Engelland for his play down the stretch and in the playoffs and yet you see it completely different from everyone who gets paid to comment, coach, or manage the game. No one is saying Engelland is Regher in his prime, but he's a solid bottom pairing defenseman who can fill in on the top 4.