Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814
Something else to consider: the Flames have been absolutely appalling at defending Connor McDavid since he entered the league. I don't know how much of that is on Gulutzan. I assume at least a little.
Yet I cannot help but wonder if Brad watched Dougie play McDavid for three years, look completely overmatched each time, and simply concluded that he wasn't the guy we hoped he was.
Remember, Hamilton's acquisition upstaged McDavid's draft night. Part of that was Treliving's opportunism, part of it was Chiarelli's incompetence, but another part of it was 'we need someone who can play against McDavid for the next decade'.
Whatever you want to say about Hanifin, I don't think it's arguable that he has AT LEAST as much potential as Dougie, if not more. He's a 21 year old with three NHL seasons.
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FWIW, last year the Flames CF% was only marginally better against McDavid without Hamilton on the ice than with. (39 vs 41). They were dramatically better with Brodie off the ice than with (32 vs 42). Though, of course, who knows what Brodie might have been able to do if Gultuzan hadn't broken him.