All fair comments which I completely respect.
Couple of final thoughts from me....
Again, in terms of the 'greater willingness' to play tough and drop the gloves - approximately how many fights would be the magic number to demonstrate this?
Sometimes I think there is a perception that fights used to happen or should happen more than they actually did/do.
Going back to Finny's point...let's say for arguments sake that the role of 3rd line Centre is being looked at this summer. A name that's been thrown out as a signing is John Armstrong. I'd bite your hand off for John Armstrong. He'll bring size, toughness and skill - but no more fights. So you do go back to Finny's relevant question of who is the guy to make way? Let's say Layne Ulmer retires (I hope not). You're looking at needing to pick up a top 6 scoring forward as a replacement.
I'd happily see the 6 d-men who started the play-off final lace them up again in August...so not a lot of room there.
Personally, I hope the Morrisette debate doesn't rage again this summer. Boy he was superb last year.
Anyway, I don't venture to post on here too often so I appreciate the constructive chat.
When we had Bordeleau it felt like teams were intimidated but it didn’t stop Bowns being run more times that year than this?
When a fight breaks out most fans stand on their feet and cheer so I can understand the notion of ‘entertainment’. But does it help win games? It may occasionally change the direction of a game but not always and it definitely does not win championships, does it?
The best way to settle this argument is to ask the players on the roster especially the skilled guys. Were they intimidated this year? Did any team on any given night bully us so much that our skilled players no longer wanted to compete? I don’t think so.
I believe Lord has got the chemistry spot on this season between skill, speed, physicality, toughness, and hockey know how. Above all, the dressing room cohesion.
As for Kelman’s wish to improve the squad by 20% this off season? Wow that will be tough.
For me Paris was a huge disappointment from day one in Nottingham. Lacks pace, slow to turn, not a great skater, and defensively naive much of the time. For a big guy he found it hard to move forward away from the crease. Great guy but I don’t think good enough for next season.
Crowder sometimes seemingly had glue on the end of his stick but he rarely showed glimpses of his passing prowess. In the final few games I saw a different side to his play as he began to hit everything in sight. Did he do enough through the season? Not for me, so he’s another that may not be back.
Ulmer is just pure class. His age and knees means he struggles for pace and long shifts but even so game in game out he produced for us. I’d be worried about his fitness if he decided he still had another year in him, but at the same time would be happy to see him back. Personally I think he’ll call it a day.
Lord is now a bench coach. Period.
So if we carry one spare next season then it’s 2 forwards and a choice of a D or F for the extra player.
Is that 20% improvement I guess not. But I would find it difficult to move any other of those players on.
Anyway, I’m glad I don’t have those decisions to make! Lol
That’s my personal review.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk