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

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

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.

how? Diaz is a right handed shot too, so I'd argue a pairing with the left handed Smid would be preferable IMO.

maybe it's just me and maybe my opinion is skewed because I am ... well ... let's say not exactly Mr. Engellands biggest fan, but if I had to decide between Smid and Engelland, I'd choose Smid without a doubt because he's such a warrior and also the better PKer.

[neo45]

Smid needs to be better when he is back in the lineup. If Smid-Diaz can be even an average pairing our team will be noticeably better. I agree that Diaz has been #5, but the third pairing has still been awful no matter who is on it

Then maybe move Engelland to forward and trade/waive Bollig

[Roof-Daddy]

I was hoping that Wotherspoon would get in there and play so well that the team would look to move Smid for some extra picks in the draft, but if Diaz does it instead, that's fine too.

It's been said many times, that Smid-Engelland pairing is just awful together.

I have no problem with either player in their own right, but together they are too slow and terrible at getting possession and keeping it while transitioning up ice. Third pairing needs a more mobile puck mover so as to not be continually hemmed in it's own end.

Keep it up Diaz, and if he does, for the love of pete 'Artley, keep Smid and Engelland away from each other when Smid gets healthy again.

[CalgaryFan1988]

I often wonder, like I'm sure many here, why Engelland is never scratched. The only answer I can think of, is the appearance of scratching a player that they just signed for that much money.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

I often wonder, like I'm sure many here, why Engelland is never scratched. The only answer I can think of, is the appearance of scratching a player that they just signed for that much money.

Can't see it. Not Hartley IMO.

He's scratched Raymond, and has no problem putting Hiller on the backburner either, both bigger contract signings this off season.

[Finger Cookin]

Engelland has been a healthy scratch three times this season.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Can't see it. Not Hartley IMO.

He's scratched Raymond, and has no problem putting Hiller on the backburner either, both bigger contract signings this off season.

Very good point about Raymond.

Maybe scratching Raymond, after his injury, was more to do with conditioning and getting back up to speed? I just don't see his like for Engelland

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Engelland has been a healthy scratch three times this season.

Sorry, I shouldn't have said "never scratched", I should have said not scratched more often.

I think he's missed 5 or 6 games this season, and hes a -12. Wouldn't mind seeing him at RW for a game when Smid draws back in.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Very good point about Raymond.

Maybe scratching Raymond, after his injury, was more to do with conditioning and getting back up to speed? I just don't see his like for Engelland

We're the smallest team in the NHL. Engelland provides protection. He fights and wins mostly.

[remember2004]

OT: Does anyone think we could have been good enough without signing Engelland?

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

We're the smallest team in the NHL. Engelland provides protection. He fights and wins mostly.

Agree with this as well, I just feel that he might be less of a liability on the 4th line as opposed to on D.

[remember2004]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Sorry, I shouldn't have said "never scratched", I should have said not scratched more often.

I think he's missed 5 or 6 games this season, and hes a -12. Wouldn't mind seeing him at RW for a game when Smid draws back in.

How effective was he on wing when he was in Pitts? I assume were talking about Engelland here.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by remember2004

How effective was he on wing when he was in Pitts? I assume were talking about Engelland here.

I remember reading that he wasn't bad as RW, but he didn't enjoy it on a personal level. He prefers playing D.

My logic, is the 4th line rarely plays and he could even take the odd shift on D if need be.

Smid/Diaz might allow Diaz to concentrate more on offence. I don't like him, but he is a heck of a skater (Diaz).

[crapshoot]

I just want to see one game of Wotherspoon-Diaz. I think that could be a pretty decent pairing.

[GranteedEV]

Ahem.

[Scrambler]

Nice slapshot from Diaz tonight, would like to see him do that more often (actually he has lately, glad one finally went in!)

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

Nice slapshot from Diaz tonight, would like to see him do that more often (actually he has lately, glad one finally went in!)

It was a Knuckle Puck ala Goldberg style.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

We're the smallest team in the NHL. Engelland provides protection. He fights and wins mostly.

Yup. When I saw Gadzic squaring off with Engelland I expected Engelland to be picking up his teeth. He's a better fighter than I thought.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Diaz was probably the weakest player on the roster at the start of the season, but damn if he hasn't improved by huge leaps. In October and November whenever he was on the ice and had the puck, it was like a live grenade waiting to go off. But now he makes the smart play more often than not and really seems to be learning from the defensive leaders on the team. Wonder if we might have gotten another late bloomer ala Russell (one can hope)

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Ahem.

In a 5-2 game he scored a goal and finished even. He was incredibly weak on the first goal against.

This game was a prime example of why he has trouble being a regular, good for stretches of the game and bad in others.