Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
I like Lazar, but I don't think you pull any forward out of the lineup at this point. Bouma has been making some big hits and skating hard. Terrible, unfortunate bad bounce off his skates, but he has been fine. Vatanen is out because of him more than likely, and that to me tells me he is more than doing his job.
Brouwer has been 'fine' as well. Lazar has been 'up and down' in the games I saw him. Brouwer has been steady out there - unspectacular maybe, but he is needed on the those draws.
There is no way Stajan gets scratched. He is playing well.
I think you stick with this lineup until there is an injury. Having Lazar, Hamilton and Hathaway as nice depth pieces who play hard and physical is a huge asset, but I don't think you make room for one yet. Lose tonight, and I think you make a roster adjustment. You have to do something at least at that point, but I don't think the Flames have reached that point. Let's see what this team does at home first.
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Agree to disagree. Lazar is itching to play, you know he'll be giving 110% and its not like you're having to give him first line minutes. I'd love to see him on the Bennett line with Versteeg myself, moving Chiasson to the 4th.
Brouwer has not been fine, hes struggled both games with and without the puck. Not the physical force, goal machine, playoff driver we all assumed he would be and why he was brought here originally. Brouwer takes a handful of faceoffs a game and his numbers already posted in a separate thread are still underwhelming. I dont see the Flames brass sitting him because of the contract and "experience" hes supposedly bringing but in my mind I personally don't see us missing much if hes swapped out.
Bouma hasn't be the force he should be, its been stated here for most of the year. His style of play easily replaceable by Hathaway, and in my mind Lazar brings the same physical edge but with potentially more scoring potential. If Bouma's on the ice he should be the one sticking up for teammates and dropping the gloves. I love seeing Ferland fight just as much as the next guy but the ducks are laughing when we take him off the ice for 5mins, that's a trade they do all game long. Again I see Lazar or Hathaway slotting in to do the same here.
Stajan has been Stajan I agree, he does what we expect and plays that way every night. Unfortunately his faceoff % is usually what we rely on, especially in the defensive zone and hes struggled with that all series. He's 3rd on my "to sit list" so I have no problem letting him play but hasn't done much so far so he made the list.
I don't see any reason to ride this out, down 2-0 is the time to make a change and spark the team. Heaven forbid were down 3-0 and wondering why we didn't make any changes. I think if there's a time to do it, its right now.