Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Patience may not change what type of person and player Hamilton is. That he doesn’t bust his ass to loose pucks, sacrifice his body, play physical like a Giordano does is obvious to many of us. Sure, his offensive abilities are high rate. But he doesn’t seem to have that burning desire to win in terms of how hard he competes in his own zone or on the back check. Not sure there’s any reason to believe it will ever change. I’m not sure he has a burning desire to be one of the best overall defensemen in the league even though he has the skill and physical tools to be one of the best. Based on the way he competes in his own zone it seems like he’s content being what he is, a puck mover and offensive contributor who has defensive lapses and a lot of the time does not give it his all to “defend”. I think compete level is something that players don’t really learn or improve at. They either have it or they don’t. Tkachuk has it. Some guys don’t have it as much.
I understand some people are fine with what Dougie is. I’m not sure it’s a huge problem for the Flames. I certainly don’t think he has to be moved.
However he may be moved because
1. His trade value is massive for the reasons you like him
2. His compete level compared to his talent is lacking at times
3. We have the greatest depth on defense out of all our positions
As Loubardias says, Treliving has to decide who on the team are guys that you can and will win with. Guys who you’ll go to war with. It’s not obvious Hamilton has to go. Maybe he is part of the solution. Personally I’m starting to wonder if maybe you entertain the idea of moving him for the reasons I stated above. I find his comittment to being the best in his own zone and being the hardest to play against in his own zone lacking a bit too much for my liking at times. As I’ve said in other threads I’d probably trade Brodie ahead of trading Hamilton if trading Brodie gets you what we need. I think you can live with having a bit of a one-dimensional offensive dman. But that said Hamilton may just fetch offers that dwarf what Brodie can get and all things considered he may be the piece they decide to move.
Loubardias today on the radio admitted that we see Hamilton struggle with compete, defensive lapses and that he isn’t a physical guy. My perhaps poor paraphrasing
https://www.sportsnet.ca/960/hockey-...show-with-lou/
(45 mins in)
Guess we’ll see in time which piece Treliving moves |
When I attended games with my grandson this year, I specifically watched Hamilton. I agree completely with what you say about him. I would add that at times, he is a complete pylon out there.
I just wonder how many of Hamilton's shortcomings are covered by playing with Gio? I did think he made some progression middle of last year though.
If we keep Hamilton, will he be able to bring all the things that Gio does? Will he be able to be our #1 defense man in the future? At this point, I have my doubts.