Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
It's why I don't get the Engelland hate that happens on this board.
He's a bit overpaid but I would rather have his toughness on the roster as our 6th d-man than waste a forward spot on Bollig.
Would have no issues bringing him back next year at a reduced cap hit.
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As one of ENgelland's biggest detractors, even I will say he is a decent depth defenseman and way better than a Bollig who barely belongs in the AHL.
The problem is when people outright lie to pump him up as a staple to a good top 6.
That he's strong defensively (he's not, and wasn't in Pittsburgh/Bylsma's system either)
That he's a great penalty killer (he's not. The other night we
barely dodged another goal against where Engelland was laid out on the ice doing who-knows-what instead of clearing the crease like people think he does.. that's just a microcosm of what he has done on the PK since he got here and if you look into the records there is no evidence that he is a good penalty killer, whereas the records are very kind to little Kris Russell on the PK)
That he "stepped up" when paired with Brodie in a top 4 role (he didn't, Brodie stepped up and even then couldn't stay above water)
That he is needed to hang with skilled big teams like Anaheim (he isn't, because those teams
salivate at the chance to play him)
That he fills the shut down Dman void left by Regehr (he doesn't, nope.)
He is what he is, a #7D who does have a nice wrist shot and can play #6 bottom pair without being a glaring liability IF he has a strong skating puck moving #5 partner to carry him.
Anything more and he is in over his head, and yet the Flames continue to play him in over his head in ways that hurt the team. Top Four. Paired with slow, right-hand shooting Wideman. Possibly but hopefully not both tonight.
These kind of scenarios just to keep Engelland in your top six are ripe to blow up in your face. What he does bring is not enough if he's not being played in a manner that shelters him adequately. Simply put between Brodie, Hamilton, and Wideman, he is the fourth best right side D on this team and that means he should be in the press box until there is an injury.
If there is a fit for him, fine, let him be your #6. But if he is the odd man out then he is the odd man out, it's not the end of the world if he has to sit in the press box.