harmfuljays wrote:
This was glaring when watching 3Livings presser. I don't think its as cut and dry as Dougie was soft or odd....as I stated elsewhere there were a lot of other factors. Not sure why the media is hell bent on finding or in this case inventing character flaws. Someone needed to move and Hamilton was that guy. The team needed a change. I like this deal.
I'm not so certain the media is the villain here. I'm not seeing a ton of hot takes from them. I think it's just another case of warped old-school hockey culture, and the reason why so many players come off as dull as possible. Any sort of individuality that isn't old-fashioned thuggishness and they get punished.
I agree, I think there's more to the story here. Sounds like Dougie himself expressed a desire to leave, but I'm also pretty sure Calgary management did a good job of digging this hole. Sticking with a bad coach certainly didn't help matters.
But yes, regardless of who's responsible, something needed to change. I think the Calgary blueline looks a little better balanced but has less offensive punch. The key will be figuring out what in hell happened to Brodie, and if Gio/Hamonic can stay healthy.
Gaudreau - Monahan - Brouwer
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Bennett - Jankowski - Lindholm
Lazar - Shore - Foo
Hanifin - Giordano
Brodie - Hamonic
Stone - Anderson
Smith
Rittich
No idea if they want Lindholm to play wing or center.