Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski
I agree with this but CGY has that in abundance. It helped them achieve 2nd overall and first in the West.
From what I've seen Treliving comment on about this deal he recognizes they have speed, skill, competitive players with playmaking, vision and strategic defending (he also continues to draft the above qualities) but what they lacked was brutishness, intimidation and a physical presence. He said that is still part of the game - Do you agree?
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I do agree 100% it’s still part of the game and that’s why our team isn’t having playoff success. Our roster construction is too early for the game of the future.
Right now you still need your speed/skill players to have some size and strength as well as we saw was greatly exposed by Colorado. Sure the pure goon and 4th line mucker days are gone but adding a 3rd liner who adds toughness doesn’t make us materially any better. Lucic is not going to have any impact on our top line (right now Gaudreau - Monahan- Lindholm) being able to drive play in the playoffs and being strong enough to counteract teams with, fast heavy and skilled top lines.
Games aren’t won in scrums and by having an intimidating face on the bench.
Which is why Hathaway was so valuable. He added grit along with motor, penalty kill, and was able to produce a decent amount for the ice time, position and linemates he was given.