I do think many poster are underestimating the kids here.
Zary, Duehr, Ruzicka, Sharangovich and even undersized Pelletier, are all pretty tenacious and physical players. The Flames are subtracting some older slower players, who may have been larger, and inserting a group of high energy guys that were known for being difficult to play against.
It was great that Vegas had Stone in their lineup to deal with Bennett and his shinanigans. However, Marchessault, at a list 5'9'', was also able to thrive under the same conditions. Vegas didn't win because they had goons. They were just constantly applying pressure no matter the conditions against them. That's the key to winning, not big slow fighters.
In the forward core, Kadri, Mangiapane, Dube, Coleman, Zary, Duehr, Sarangovich, Pelletier and Ruzikca can all be high energy guys that bring jam.
The Flames really need to move away from this identity of focusing too much on truculence, as it doesn't actually win hockey games.
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