Rafa Diaz - From the press box, now our #5?

[GranteedEV]

It seems like, while Diaz sort of struggled earlier in the season, he's been playing a bit steadier recently.

Going by minutes, he logged 13:32 TOI last game. Of that, 2:44 were played with the 2nd PP unit beside Brodie. I thought his assist on Joe Colborne's goal in the Sabres game really had a positive effect on our power play as it was a bit weaker than a greedy Wideman blast, but in turn didn't carom wide and off the boards out of the blue line.

A lot of us wanted Wotherspoon in as soon as he got called up after Smid's injury, and yet Hartley had nothing but praise for Diaz' professionalism and work ethic. Now for a few games in a row, you could say our bottom pairing hasn't been totally brutal. We've even seen Engelland in the offensive zone once in a while, which feels awkward to me.

Wotherspoon's not a small guy, either, so he could be paired with Diaz just fine. It could even mean less unsheltered/5vs5 minutes for Wideman.

For a filler signing, Diaz has applied to the Flames some gauze.

Your thoughts?

[Bunk]

Diaz has been good. He's not particularly noticeable, which is good from a bottom pairing defensemen as he doesn't seem to be making glaring errors.

[GoJetsGo]

He got a lot of flack on here in late 2014 but I think he's been very steady lately. That's all you can ask for from a guy in his role.

He's been confident with the puck, moves it quickly and makes simple, good decisions with it.

[Pliddy]

Right or wrong, I don"t think he will be given many opportunities when Smid comes back

[devo22]

he's been pretty solid lately. I hope our third pairing will be Diaz-Smid with Engelland scratched once Smid comes back from injury, but that probably won't happen.

[CalgaryFan1988]

I think it's more of an indication of how bad Engelland has played.

Diaz isn't all that great.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Diaz isn't all that great.

Context.

What #7 is all that "great"?

He has been head and shoulders above expectation for his role in the last little while. Give some credit where it's due.

[Locke]

Hes definitely been better than when he started here. That was grim.

For a #7 to fill in as a #5 fairly well and consistently is excellent.

I cant think of a recent play where I've thought 'dammit Diaz!' Or a recent goal against that I would pin on him. Thats pretty much all you can ask for.

[Tyler]

"He's got a cannon of a shot"

Misses the net 95% of the time and when he does hit it it's a flubber

[killer_carlson]

he's on a role now and hopefully that lets Smid fully recover before trying to come back.

The thing with #7s is that they are inconsistent. We are riding an upswing now.

That being said, I have no problem if the organization pumps his tires about how he's a hard charging #5 seizing PP time away from Brodie or Russell occasionally.... and then we trade him for a pick.

[Journey17]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

he's on a role now and hopefully that lets Smid fully recover before trying to come back.

The thing with #7s is that they are inconsistent. We are riding an upswing now.

That being said, I have no problem if the organization pumps his tires about how he's a hard charging #5 seizing PP time away from Brodie or Russell occasionally.... and then we trade him for a pick.

I don't support trading away any dmen unless we are getting one back. Diaz, Smid, Spooner, Derek, etc are better when you can sit them down occasionally and there is competition. We will have some injuries that need depth.

[killer_carlson]

I have no problem elevating one of our prospects for the final 25 games.

Wotherspoon seems pretty close.

[btimbit]

I think he he simply suits Engelland better than Smid, as Engelland hasn't been bad lately either other than one turnover in the Buffalo game.

So who is the weak point in our bottom 3 dmen? The Smid - Engelland pairing has been bad, Diaz Engelland has been alright, not sure if we've seen much of Smid Diaz.

[ComixZone]

I like Diaz, I also like Engelland (both in a limited role).

I hope Smid gets dealt for a (minor) asset at the deadline with rumours being what they are and that D-men are going to be in significant demand.

[Soliak]

IMO Diaz has been noticeably better than Smid/Engelland this year

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Context.

What #7 is all that "great"?

He has been head and shoulders above expectation for his role in the last little while. Give some credit where it's due.

OP is calling Diaz the #5.

The only reason he is being considered 5th among D is because Engelland hasn't been very good.

I would be more impressed if Engelland was playing well and then Diaz beat him out. Diaz is a fine #7, but that's all he is.

[AcGold]

I think Diaz has a huge upside. Seems like a guy that could be a #3 or #4 because he skates well, makes crisp passes (most of the time), keeps his head up, knows how to take hits properly. He's learning incredibly quickly, he went from kinda crappy to reliable in a couple months. Seems to fit into Hartley's system well. One of the guys that we need.

[Finger Cookin]

I expect we'll see Diaz regularly scratched again when Smid is healthy. I'm glad Diaz has been able to fill in in the meantime.

[DuffMan]

His turnovers made me cringe every time he touched the puck earlier in the year, but he seems to have cut down on that.

[Vulcan]

Diaz fits what a defence pairing should be. One cruncher and one puck mover. The trouble with pairing Smid and Engelland together is that they are both crunchers. What gives Engelland the edge over Smid is that he's a right handed shot and he fights and does it pretty well. If Diaz can play steady with few mistakes, him and Engelland make a pretty good pairing.