Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Doom
This!
If you remember before last playoffs everyone was saying how the NHL had changed and smaller skilled forwards was where it was at...
Well we all know how the first round of the playoffs went across both conferences.
All comes back to size. And the size this team does have is low skill.
Problem is retooling this team towards that pretty much has to come from the draft because a guy like Gaudreau for example wont even land you a skilled power forward.
The Bennett thing really hampered the overall plan tbh.
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Lots of people here believe it was lack of speed and skill. Strange thing to say about a team that built an identity of a fast skill team. One that scored 2nd most goals and were 2nd overall in the standings after 82 games.
I guess its easy to see why one would form that opinion. Colorado forwards were flying in to our zone and cycled for extended time so they must have been more skilled, right?
Meanwhile we overlook how the Flames D were getting pushed around allowing those Colorado players do whatever they want.
We overlook how our forwards would rather stay on the boards than try and penetrate the slot and get hit by Cole or Big Z.
They would rather get rid of the puck in panic, than take a hit and make a play. Those turnovers made Colorado look faster, as turnovers always do.
Our toughest top 6 forward, Tkachuk was hit hard by Big Z early on and that was it for him. Our top scorers, Johnny and Monahan skated on the perimeter with their heads on a swivel while theirs went to the net untouched and scored goals.
Easy to look skilled when you don't have to worry about being touched.
Anyways, that's my take until the team actually does some playoff damage.