Quote:
Originally Posted by wretched34
I don't get the issue here.... Bouwmeester has only played 14 seasons in the NHL, only 990 regular season games (more than anyone else in the 2002 draft, where he went 3rd overall), only went to 3 world juniors, and only represented Canada internationally a few other times in the world championships, world Cup, and olympics. He's only 10th in scoring for the 2002 draft class, and 2nd for D (behind Keith).
Obviously there just hasn't been a large enough sample size for managers and coaches to evaluate him as well as some fans. They'll see soon enough that he's a useless bum.
|
He had a bad shift that allowed the Hawks to prolong that series. Kane was brilliant and made a lot of other guys look bad too but as AC has pointed out, Bouwmeester gave him space and didn't use his stick in the first rush and stood on Elliot's stick while Kane did a wraparound. He might also have pointed out that Bouwmeester had the puck on his stick and instead of clearing it passed it to a Hawks player behind the net when he got bumped, who then passed it back out front to Kane. Very weak play that prolonged the pressure and led directly to the goal.
It might not be fair to conclude he is a terrible player or you can't win with him but I think it's fair enough to doubt him as one of your go-to guys. If Sutter had a do-over, I don't think he ever comes to the Flames as a free agent.