Quote:
Originally Posted by Watsatheo
Curious, where did you read people saying that all the team issues are because of Stortini? I'm failing to see how you jumped from comments of not liking Stortini's presence in the lineup/ice/team all the way to blaming him for the team losing. Not just you, several people bring this up.
I despise that Stortini takes up icetime as one of the few veteran players on this team, yet I won't blame the team's record on him. There are several issues that I see on this team:
1. Terrible special teams (PP and PK)
2. Lack of Offensive creativity or finish
3. Team has a tendency of getting mixed up in the D zone and running around
I blame the management for the team's record. Veteran AHLers like Chaput (Boyce before him), and even Blunden get top 6 min/pp time. Veteran players like Stortini and Hagel get 3rd liner type regular 5 on 5 minutes/shifts. I understand wanting to play the actual prospects...but if you are going to give icetime to veterans at least get someone who'll use the icetime to make the team win. Especially with the lockout, it couldn't have been hard to sign a good AHLer with high skill level to play Chaput's and Stortini's roles and icetime.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming Chaput and Stortini. I just hate that they are taking up the veteran role that someone with actual impact ability could be filling without affecting the team's goal of playing the prospects (which I agree with).
|
Just doing a quick count, 20 posts on this thread are anti-Stortini. Even you called for a season long suspension for a hit that was completely legal (referee blew the call big time) albeit a very hard and physical hit.
Patrick Holland gets a "nice chance" post.
Stortini is not the reason Hamilton sucks this season. No, the reason is that Timmins with the blessing of Gauthier loaded up the franchise with mediocre offensively skilled players. Not bad players, but mediocre.
As someone mentioned earlier on this thread, a team of potential NHL 3rd liners.
Those potential 3rd liners are not criticized for their play. Stortini is. Its like an alternate universe here at times.