Mixed feelings on the news and I guess it was inevitable given how the game has changed and the definition that Maloney provided regarding the modern NHL player. Personally I’m disappointed as I would rather have a character guy like Darryl than someone like Kadri who basically gave up down the stretch. Darryl is Calgary and has done so much for the organization and to be shown the door is tough to swallow. Could he have been better? Absolutely. Are his techniques suited for todays game? I guess not.
What doesn’t sit well is how players (via anonymous sources) stated they wouldn’t coke back or would demand trades etc. Maloney mentioned not letting the inmates run the asylum but in essence that’s exactly what happened. This group is tough to root for and I personally believe the frustrations that Sutter witnessed with this group will continue into next year. Yet hopefully there will be no more scapegoats and players will have to own it.
I wish Darryl the very best but feel like he got a raw deal (yes, he is certainly not without his faults) but now it’s up to Huberdeau, Kadri and the others to step up justify what Maloney had to do. It’s 100% on the leaders of this team moving forward. No more excuses.
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