They nailed it on the fan this morning. Perfect 3rd line LW who can slot in on the 2nd line if you get injuries.
I'd agree. He's also someone you'd slot in if your line, or a specific special teams requires a shot in the arm in terms of work ethic. Absolutely love his game.
I've been saying for the last couple of seasons that Lance Bouma is more than just a fourth liner.
I hope that in next couple years the Flames roster gets so so strong that he is a fourth liner. And a key part of an awesome fourth line. Kind of like the "grind line" on that dynasty Red Wings team.
Bouma is the first to say Turk had a hand in his success.
“He’s helped my game quite a bit,” Bouma said. “It’s given me a chance to take that next step.”
Many in the hockey world will insist you can’t teach a player how to score – that it’s a natural gift – but Turk has spent the last decade and a half tutoring players how to tickle the twine more often.
His latest example of proof is Bouma, with whom he worked last summer.
Says in the article he also works with Colborne, Stajan, Lucic, Gallagher, Tanguay, Cammalleri and Subban.
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I believe Lance is the ideal bottom six winger, while being one of those guys who simply rises to the occasion. With the Flames fighting for that playoff spot, Bouma's just been getting better and better. Should the Flames make the playoffs, I'd be willing to bet Bouma would be an absolute crunch-time beast in the postseason.
This season for Lance is very similar to the season Jackman (sp) had when he blew everyone away. One exception IMO, Bouma plays a more heart and soul type of game than Jackman did.
Jackan top out at 10/10 and did so strictly playing 4th line minutes and tailends of PP's, Bouma is showing he doesn't look out of place on even the second line. We need to throw him out on the PP and have him crash and bang the front of the net IMO.
This season for Lance is very similar to the season Jackman (sp) had when he blew everyone away. One exception IMO, Bouma plays a more heart and soul type of game than Jackman did.
There's more exceptions:
-Lance is faster
-Lance is more versatile
-Jackman looked way out of place anywhere except 3/4th line
-Jackman was 30 when he did it with a long history suggesting it was a fluke
I think he's a third line 'energy guy' who can easily sub in higher when injuries are bad. Makes the occasional big play.
I wouldn't be too surprised if he's a regular top six guy in a year or two, but I don't think it happens. Third liner, who can be called upon for bigger minutes when its needed is where I think he plateaus.
With the bit of offense he's displaying now, I'll make a call-back to a former Canucks poster (what ever happened to all of them?): he's an elite 3rd liner.
He's fast, physical, and gritty, he goes into tough areas and after other team's key players, and he's the ultimate example of sacrificing for the team. And he doesn't take a lot of stupid penalties in the process.
He's the type of depth player that elevates teams from also-rans to contenders, and contenders to champions.
I remember an interview with Bouma last year where he was adament he had much more to give offensively. I didn't expect it to really work out like it has though. Bouma is a pretty bad ass bottom 6 player lol, gotta love the guy.
