[ricardodw]

Russell is better than Hamilton. Hamilton might bring back a better return if the magic beans mystic holds out.

Beginning to see why Boston was not ready to sign Hamilton to the money (and term) that Hamilton wanted. They could have had him as the cornerstone of their rebuild. They had been watching him every day for 4 years and were willing to dump him for a 1st and 2 2nds.

Somebody that is supposed to be a top 2 D-man does not need a 2 months to adapt to different players and systems. It was like a switch went off in Gio when he got to play with Wideman rather than Hamilton, The Gio of the last couple of games is vastly better than the Gio that played 6 games with Hamilton.

Perhaps he can grow into a top-4 guy, but he is not close to expectations. 10% of the Flames season has gone.


It seem that Hamilton has the Phanuef-lite package of size, skill and shot that got him to the NHL but a lack of hockey IQ/instinct that will keep him as a secondary player and not be able to contribute to team success by playing to his potential.