Quote:
Originally Posted by 868904
Justin Williams is a similar player to Mangiapane and Dube in terms of size and willingness to engage physically.
Toffoli and Gaborik are less engaged physically and you could deem as soft and similar to a guy like Gaudreau.
If those guys can contribute to a Darryl coached team, there's no reason why Gaudreau, Maniapane and Dube can't.
You are right changes are coming and it's likely Gaudreau who moves, but it's not because Darryl doesn't like small players. It's because Johnny isn't engaging physically anymore and because his contract dictates it. In his first couple of seasons, Johnny would engage and battle for pucks. Sutter saw it first hand when Johnny made his Kings his little bitch. Johnny isn't playing like that anymore. That's what Darryl wants to see from Gaudreau because he's seen it before. If Johnny gets moved, it's not because Darryl doesn't like small players, it's because Johnny isn't playing to his potential.
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Not sure what Johnny’s contract is dictating, exactly. If you could unpack that one, I would like to hear it. He has never been a physical player to my recollection. And if he is now intentionally dialling it back a full two years (at least) before his contract expires, he’s only doing himself a disservice.