Quote:
Originally Posted by 868904
I see an NHL player too, I like his pace and his skills. I just think he needs to be protected. I think he'd excel on one of Sutter's Kings teams, where his lack of size and strength is compensated for by his teammates.
I'm not sure he can co-exist on a team with Gaudreau, Mangiapane, Dube and Ryan.
"Big heart, tries hard", that's about the greatest praise you can get from a Sutter.
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Mangiapane might be short but he wins more puck battles than our biggest players.
I agree Gaudreau and Phillips shouldn't be playing on a line together, at least at 5v5. But Gaudreau also had a lot of early success with Hudler who was short, weak, and slow. Hockey IQ and skill trumps a lot of things. Phillips is also very fast.
Dube and Phillips have actually shown a fair amount of chemistry in the past as linemates at lower levels. Their lack of size is just an on-paper concern. Dube's defensive game not developing might be a bigger concern than a lack of size.
It's not just about size. Phillips in the lineup makes the Flames a faster, more skilled team. If any team needs to get faster in the NHL, it's the one with Lucic, Monahan, and Tkachuk. We also have a severe need for skilled right shot forwards.
As for Ryan, he's a UFA and may not be back anyways. While I like him, he's hardly a core piece.