Quote:
Originally Posted by gvitaly
I'll play devil's advocate on that one:
1. Hanley likely isn't in the future plans of the team.
2. Weegar has had a revolving door of partners, switching between Miromanov(538mins), Bean(126mins), and Hanley(520mins). Which IMO indicates that the coaches think they could get more out of that pairing depending on the opponent.
2b. Bean - Weegar actually has a better expected goal percentage at 58.7% than Hanley - Weegar at 56.5%. This could indicate that Weegar benefits more from playing with a more mobile partner.
3. A team won't be winning any playoff rounds with Hanley as its #4D.
4. This is a team that struggles to score goals, and Parekh is potentially a force multiplier offensively. A coach would want him over the boards in situations when this team is trailing.
EDIT: 5. The pairings are not written in stone, and can change mid game if Parekh is struggling in a top 4 role.
I have nothing against Hanley, and I respect the guy for all the hard work and cementing the Flames' top 4. I just don't see his spot as untouchable in this playoffs push.
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I'm not calling him untouchable, nor am I suggesting he be signed, or kept as a top four defenseman.
I'm just saying there is very little logic in changing the team's top four in a do or die handful of games with the playoffs on the line.
Not sure how anyone would argue otherwise.