Quote:
Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug
Not to mention Engelland, the rest of the 4th line, Stajan (at least while with the Flames), etc.
The top guys haven't performed up to expectation, that has been driven home ad nauseum. Lot's of reasons for that, but I doubt one of them is because GG doesn't act like Orval Tessier behind the bench (that one is for you oldtimers!)
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Engelland I thought has been good the last couple of seasons. Stajan had a bit of a down year offensively last season, but he isn't on track to really out-perform his previous few seasons.
Ferland has definitely taken a step forward, but that may be due to simply being a rookie last year.
Stajan in particular has stood out this season because of Monahan getting out of the gate so slowly, and Bennett not taking as big of a step as we were hoping for.
I thought Hamilton was great last season, at least after his initial start. I think he is at (or perhaps a bit better) than last season.
Giordano and Brodie seem to have taken a big step back, but I think the system really has changed the way these guys play more than anyone else on the team, as under Hartley they seemed much more relaxed to free-wheel out there than this year. Wideman has taken a huge step forward from last year, but he seems to be a "Great one season, poor the next, followed by another good season" type of player.
At any rate, the team does seem to be improving their play all around, and players that were doing really poorly are also starting to come around, and that is what I want to see more than anything.