Burke behind the times on size?

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Yes - but both those teams have skill, are fast.
Bruins are neither

... what? The Bruins are tremendously skilled and not slow at all (which isn't to call them fast but they're not slow).

With regards to the "Take out Subban and Price and they don't win"... well yeah, take a Norris candidate and a Vezina candidate off of any team and they'd have a hard go of it.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by AcGold

I think this is a slight misunderstanding. Burke has used the word truculent many times, what it actually means is to be quick to assert ones aggression. I don't think it has to do so much with confidence as it does with having the other teams respect/fear.

Mcgratton is the perfect example, if there's any dirty stuff after the whistle he is their immediately. In the past our guys would let our goalies get run over and Burke wants the other teams to know there is an instant push back, no hesitation whatsoever. Now Mcgratton sometimes gives the other team a talking to before the game even starts. That's what I interpret Burke as wanting, don't back down from the other teams aggression for a second and it's much easier to do with size.

Our goalies have been run over for years now with no push back. This has been the first year it isn't happening. I guess McGratton should get credit but I think Hartley also has something to do with changing the team's demeanour with the tools he's been given. This is looking good for our future and why I don't think we'll be a complete bottom feeder next season.

[Gord Wappel]

This size thing is a small issue besides the bigger questions of
Who's really going to make the key GM decisions ?
If it is Burke then how can one not look at where Toronto is today... and shudder.
He came into a similar rebuild-needed situation and clearly his lack of patience has cost the leafs. Neither success nor rebuild.
He had partial success in other parts before but not enough to keep his job.

[flambers]

When you look at the West, teams like the Blues, Kings, Sharks and Ducks. This is exactly the type of team I believe Burke was referring to.

Talent and skill is an obvious statement....

A small team would have a tough time competing in playoff series against these type of teams in my opinion.

[getbak]

Average size doesn't really mean anything because every player isn't used an equal amount during the game.

With the Flames, McGrattan and Westgarth are the biggest players on the team, and they average 6-7 minutes a night; Cammalleri and Hudler are two of the smallest players and they average almost 20 minutes.


Take a look at the scoring leaders for the remaining playoff teams (and Boston):

• Montreal: Of their top 5 in regular season points, 3 are at least 200 pounds and 3 are at least 6 feet tall. Only one is below 190 lbs and under 5'10".
  
• Boston: 2 of their top 5 are at least 200 pounds and 4 are at least 6'. One is below 190 lbs and under 5'10".
  
• Rangers: 2 of their top 5 are at least 200 pounds and 4 are at least 6'. One is below 190 lbs and under 5'10".
  
• Anaheim: 2 of their top 5 are at least 200 pounds and 3 are at least 6'. Two are below 190 lbs and are 5'10".
  
• Los Angeles: 3 of their top 5 are at least 200 pounds and 4 are at least 6'. One is below 190 lbs.
  
• Chicago: 3 of their top 5 are at least 200 pounds and 4 are at least 6'. One is below 190 lbs.

You can also look at average ice time:

• Montreal: Of their top five in regular season ice time per game, 4 are at least 200 lbs and at least 6'. None are below 190 lbs or 5'10".
  
• Boston: 3 of their top five are at least 200 lbs and all five are at least 6'. One is below 190 lbs.
  
• Rangers: 3 of their top five are at least 200 lbs and 4 are at least 6'. One is 190 lbs.
  
• Anaheim: 4 of their top five are at least 200 lbs and at least 6'. One is 190 lbs.
  
• Los Angeles: 4 of their top five are at least 200 lbs and all five are at least 6'. None are below 190 lbs.
  
• Chicago: 4 of their top five are at least 200 lbs and at least 6'. One is 190 lbs.

Now, compare those numbers with the Flames...

Of the top five in regular season points, Giordano is the only one who tips the scales at 200 lbs. 3 are 190 lbs or less. 3 are at least 6' tall and 2 are 5'10" or less.

For the top five in average ice time, only 2 are 200 lbs and 2 are below 190 lbs (Russell is only 173). 4 are at least 6' tall, and one is 5'10".


That's why the Flames need to get bigger. Montreal's average size may be smaller, but their top end is still on par with the other teams that have advanced in the playoffs. The Flames just aren't there right now.