Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
This all just seems to be a repetition of Tanguay not smiling enough.
When the fan guys were talking about the whole Hamilton and Hamilton mess, it wasn't Warrener saying there was trouble in the dressing room over it, he was speculating that there could be trouble in the dressing room over it, but people make that leap when they hear what they think they want to hear.
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Well when you have fans asking Loubardias (noted player defender) about Hamilton dogging it back after the Flames turn it over and Loubardias saying (paraphrased) I'm not gonna defend him, we saw a lot of that stuff too its somewhat telling.
I'm not sure there's character issues or the brother was any sort of problem. But his lack of compete in his own zone is a flaw and I doubt its going away. Hamilton has the size and strength to be a beast in his own zone but often plays soft and lazy. He's at his best with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone. Great at getting the puck towards the net. Hamilton could be one of the best defenders in the league if he was more committed in his own zone. You've got Giordano diving at pucks, sacrificing his body, hustling his butt off, playing physical and then you've got Hamilton letting guys walk around him, half assed getting back, not always pinning guys against the boards, etc.
This whole discussion started because there was talk that some Flames weren't committed enough to winning, that some of the Flames didn't hate losing enough. Hamilton's play in his own zone makes one wonder if he's committed to being the best he can be at both ends of the ice.
Is it a problem that needs to be purged? No, I don't think so. But is it a reason management may not view him as a core player or untouchable? It could be. I still don't think its reason enough to shop him. But it might be reason enough to listen to offers on him if some mega offers come in.