Quote:
Originally Posted by Azhouse
Guys like Lance with an unselfish attitude and willingness to step in front of a Mack truck (or a 100mph slapshot) for their team, greatly contribute to the chemistry of the team. If all we had were a bunch of prima donna non-corner guys we would be the Oilers.
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Agreed. But I also think they are replaceable to a large extent. Bouma can make way for Ferland, who will make way for Smith or another guy in a few years.
I like the Chicago model. Lock up the core and rotate the rest. Ladd was a huge heart and soul guy for them, and they moved him on and didn't miss a beat. They almost for sure should have let Bickell go, but they locked him up and it might have cost them Saad because of it.
Again, I like Bouma a lot, and I agree that you need players
like him. I just don't think you have to have him exactly.
I won't be sad if we keep him for a few more years either. But he isn't a core piece that we should be afraid to move on from.