Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
Of course it matters. The fact is that the top unit WAS among the best in the NHL. The Flames were the ONLY team in the entire League with all five players in the top-50 of powerplay production. I would say that was definitely above tinkering, especially to accommodate a disgruntled and disinterested player who was doing nothing else to contribute.
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Cripes. This is circular.
All this was to say I think Neal can be a contributor on a PP and didn't have the same opportunity to do it here. And we gave him to our arch rival who are using him in that exact same role that he's been successful in his career. And surprise, it's paid early dividends.
And regarding the team PP% as the most important stat, I stand by that. If you drop one of the number 1 unit guys to the number 2 unit and it ELEVATES that unit, Neal was a more than capable stand-in on the top unit and good chance of very little drop off.