Quote:
Originally Posted by drewtastic
This is the kind of attitude, should it begin to permeate this team, that could finally have me believing that the Flames are willing to take the next step to move into elite team territory.
In order to go beyond "mediocre", teams have to possess swagger and be willing to back it up. With each game, Andersson seems to be willing to show that he's not only an increasingly valuable asset on-ice, that he's not only willing to stir things up with his swagger, but that he's also willing to go out on the ice and back up his words with his play.
If the Flames are going to rank amongst the best-of-the-best in the NHL, they need to put comparisons to the (c)Oilers in the distant rearview mirror and concentrate on themselves. I am really hopeful that guys like Andersson and Tkachuk continue to be outspoken, on and off the ice, as they take over leadership roles on this team.
No fear. No mercy.
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I was thinking this same thing the other day, reminded me of the past dominant Flames teams.
I believe the swagger has to do with the coaching change. The players seem more engaged and no longer look like they are squeezing sticks, pouting when they make a bad play or take a bad penalty. Ward lets the guys play an emotional game.
Ward moving the skilled players throughout the line up has to be hard for teams with lessor skilled players on the lower lines.