I think the game has changed but you are wrong if you think having some toughness in your lineup doesn't make a difference. I think Johnny in particular plays a bit scared when the games get out of hand and the flames have iced soft rosters.
In an ideal world the nhl would stamp out goonery but we all know that lucic could sucker punch monahan and get 3 or 4 games. On ice policing is still necessary. You don't need 2 or 3 heavyweights anymore but absolutely still need one guy who can fight.
I expect Peluso to make the team and munch popcorn and draw in against the wings and oilers. Prout would be harder to carry but honestly when they are mostly in the pressbox anyway I'd rather see them do that and have andersson playing every night in the ahl or stone get cut than rasmus in the pressbox all year.
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