Are We Mean Enough?

[lanny9]

Watching the Flames this year, although exciting I am always left wanting to see more reaction to certain plays. Last night for example, we have Letang slashing and cross checking everyone in sight and not one of our guys takes exception to the treatment, they just move along like nothing was going on. I saw two times where Letang cross checked Johnny, once pretty hard to the ribs and nothing.

Then there is the Smid hit, which Depres jumped right into the head area leaving Smid unable to finish the game and has now been placed on the IR. Did anything happen? Nope, I did see Bollig try once to get him to go once but after that nothing.

Now, if teams know they can get away with dirty plays and taking liberties with our star players (yes I consider Johnny a star on this team) they will continue to do so and get the "edge" advantage in the game thus playing us harder in that aspect of the game. It is like we are intimidated or scared of getting into a fight. Now I'm not saying I want them losing their #### anytime there is a hit but when there is obvious disregard for your teammates health you need to react. There is no way that Depres should have left that game without answering the call, same with letang who kept it up all game long. It is either that or we start taking liberties with the other teams stars, call fair game on Malkin! Gio, Glenncross, Bollig, Engelland and McGrattan, these are guys capable and guys who should be stepping up when these things happen imo.

It just seems to me that we are very nonchalant in this area and need to develop more of an edge, I mean we all can't be Monahans, guys need to be held to account for their actions but I just don't see it happening within this team yet. Thoughts?

[dying4acup]

Yet another bad reflection on Bollig.

[killer_carlson]

Bollig is becoming Jackman 2.0.

Capable of playing the tough guy role but choosing not to hold opponents accountable for roughing up our talented player.

Very disappointed with him.

[JohnnySkittles]

Yes, this isn't the 60s or 70s.

[Calgary4LIfe]

This team has the persistence and work-ethic that we haven't seen in many, many years. It is such a treat to watch.

I do think they are missing some 'swagger' though. Not sure if it is just a lack of 'meanness' or not, but I do wish they had a bit more swagger.

Case in point - after Giordano had that huge open-ice hit, he was immediately met by someone who put his hands on him (though barely really). No other Flame rushed over 'just in case' though. Not really the best example off the top of my head, but enough to kind of get the gist of my point. Just wish they had a bit more swagger. Not sure if it is a product that comes from 'truculence' or 'being mean enough'. That swagger I think is missing.

[trublmaker]

Originally Posted by JohnnySkittles

Yes, this isn't the 60s or 70s.

No. This is the NHL

[Vinny01]

While this team is hard to ply against they do lack size and physical toughness. Burke has stated the team still needs to get bigger

[JohnnySkittles]

Originally Posted by trublmaker

No. This is the NHL

So? Goon hockey is long gone. We need to get bigger and more physical players, but meaner players, no.

[Aeneas]

Not sure what you expect Bollig to do? He challenged Depres, Depres declined to fight.
So many posters whine that Bollig took a bad penalty, can you imagine if he took 2 5 and a game? Or something approaching Bertuzzi levels?

Welcome to the current NHL, nothing can be done but take it out on Malkin.

Letang could have had one penalty per shift, refs won't protect Gaudreau. I may be in the minority but I would have liked to see Bollig and Engelland go after Letang and Depres, penalties and lost game be damned.

[memphusk]

Not physical enough, not mean enough. Need upgrades in both departments.

[Vulcan]

Maybe we need to rethink our use of McGrattan.

[sureLoss]

will be interesting see how much meanness Bennett brings at the NHL level.

Burke called him a "mean little #######" on ice.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Maybe we need to rethink our use of McGrattan.

what would he do? challenge their goon to a fight? assuming they had one

[Phil Russell]

Said this in another thread. I would like to see Ferland groomed as Johnny's winger. Skilled enough to take his passes and tough enough to go after anyone who messes with him. He could play that role.

[Hanna Sniper]

Originally Posted by dino7c

what would he do? challenge their goon to a fight? assuming they had one

Throw a body check, thats when you physically separate the skater from the puck with your body and doing it to the maxim effect.

The question should be.. what are they going to do about it to stop him?

[kyuss275]

We really need some toughness/mean streak/power forward in the top 6. That's easier said then done. Probably need to draft those players. Those kind of players in trade would cost an arm and a leg.

[Stay Golden]

Mean enough no but i don't want to see the Flames become mean by subtracting hockey IQ.
If they can add mean without becoming dumb then do it.

[Tbull8]

I'd like to see Ferland play a role like Tom Wilson in Washington. Playing with Backstrom and Ovechkin as a power forward but willing to stand up for his teammates and drop the gloves if he has to.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

We really need some toughness/mean streak/power forward in the top 6. That's easier said then done. Probably need to draft those players. Those kind of players in trade would cost an arm and a leg.

There may already be a few in the system. Bennett, Ferland and maybe even Poirier are players that have top 6 potential that play with an edge. Hunter Smith might be able to fill that role too, but that's much less likely.

[lanny9]

I have no doubt that Ferland would have answered the call had he been on the ice when Smid took that hit, we need more of that imo! Not the hit, but at least the message that if you go after our guys you will pay, either in a fight or so be a target the rest of the game for extra hard hits.

Letang really was allowed to control t front of their net all night, having and cross checking, had someone been on johnny's line to send a message it would have stopped,as far as I know Letang likes to bark but has very little bite.