Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMike
I fully agree, and I believe it started after the likes of Hudler and Englandd left. A lack of veteran players to keep the youth in check and continue to show how to grow to be a pro. You can’t place all of that burden on Gio, and I could be completely off, but I feel like the youth took over the room but possibly not in the best way.
When things were going great they were great. But when adversity hit they need some real veteran presence to persevere and work through the tough times.
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Totally agree, Engelland for sure. They really seem to miss him. When the Flames beat Vancouver, he stepped up.
I think they were hoping veterans like Smith and Neal would bring veteran leadership but I recall them beaking at each other more than rallying the troops.
I imagine they hoped Lucic would bring some of what Engelland brought. But he seemed to have lost a ton of confidence in no good town, and doesn’t want to step up against division rivals because they are his friends. Geez, at least get in Mike Smith’s face.
All of this just makes me think it would have been great if they didn’t rush Jagr in, and he could have been the veteran leader. Seems to me that he made positive impact in the short time he was here.