Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
Phillips hasn't played a shift in the NHL, but he's going to give us scoring that is not there. 
A big part of the game is playing physical and wearing teams down. This is what differentiates the good from the bad. Teams used to hate playing Calgary because they would leave bruised and drained regardless of the outcome. The team we have now is too small, too soft, and too easy to play against. We need more size and we need more physicality.
If you have the talent AND ability to play at the NHL level. Part of that ability is to handle the physical play of the game. Phillips has not proven he can do that. I don't think that we have the talent to surround him with on the third line to make him successful.
Define scoring or expected production. What is scoring from the third line? 1st line - 60+ points? 2nd line - 40+ points? 3rd line - ??? What is the expectation. Also, who is Phillips bumping from the lineup to get this playing time? Who is he especially bumping on the PP to get this "solid" time? |
I never once said to pencil Phillips in on the 3rd line next season. I was speaking in general terms.
But if Phillips were to come into training camp next season and earn his spot, there's absolutely zero problem playing him on the third line.
Time have changed. You don't have just big grinders playing your bottom 6 anywhere.