I've been kinda wishy washy about this for the past few games I've watched.

This team has a lot of hustle, and a lot of "grit" but does anyone else feel like we still lack a bit of toughness?

To me, I define grit as, a player who uses his body to block shots, check, drives the net hard, and works well on the boards.

I think we have a lot of gritty players on this team, guys I've noticed in those roles are, Kaleta, Goose, Ellis, Grier, Rivet, Butler, ect ect ect; almost everyone with just a few skill player exceptions.

Toughness I define as, a guy who drops the mitts, and protects the other 19 guys on that roster at the expense of his own body. Basically toughness to me your run of the mill "enforcer" who still has some hockey skill. Andrew Peters, as much as I love the guy, was a fighter, not an enforcer.

Paul Gaustad is not an enforcer, he's a grit player, but not a true enforcer.

I feel like there were several instances from last nights game that proved we may need to look at bringing in or up some type of enforcer. However I don't know who I would have sit, because our current 20-22 guys have looked very good thus far.

Instances that really stand out are, Witt's hit from behind on Grier, hit on MacArthur into the net, Hillen "low bridging" Kaleta, the Jackman bullshit at the end of the game. Then there have been several other instances this year, where we could have used the presence of a true Enforcer / Tough guy, and we've had the leagues best faceoff man have to stand up and sit. To me, Goose in the box for 5 or longer isn't a good option. Especially with our lack of excellent faceoff men. Roy has been good, Kennedy has been ok, Connolly has been ok, but Goose is the best in the league statistically, and having him risk not only injury, but having him in the box for 5 everytime someone takes liberties with our goalie or skill players; it just doesn't make sense to me.

McCormick is an obvious choice, because he does have some skill, and is a decent center, and can fight pretty well. I just dont know who I would ask to sit, possibly Hecht, move Kennedy out on the wing, and let goose center the 3rd line, with McCormick centering the 4th?

Am I the only one who feels this way, or have others noticed the fact that teams are starting to beat up on us as well, especially those who have tough guys, where we lack them. It worries me when we play a team of ogres like the Leafs, or the Sens, or even teams with players like Downie and Carcillo.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

I think if we keep on winning, we keep things the same. There isn't anyone in the lineup I'd insert McCormick for, Hecht included.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

agreed with CriminallyVu1ger. If they keep playing well, why change it? You shouldnt, but if they keep playing the way they are, someone eventually will figure out how to beat us, and other people will follow, then its time to change it up a bit, McCormik can come up and knock some heads.

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LETS GO BUFFALO!

I'm very happy with what we have in terms of toughness, and don't see other teams beating on us at all. If anything, I think we have the advantage in toughness more often than not.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

I don't think it's been a problem yet. If it did become an issue though, I agree with either bumping Gaustad to 3rd and Mair or McCormick to 4th, or just putting Mair or McCormick to 3rd, depending on his skating (I've never seen McCormick play).

If someone had to sit it would be Kennedy. For all his effort he, and the 3rd line, haven't produced much. And if toughness is the reason to be calling up McCormick, obviously Kennedy isn't that type of player to begin with. Kennedy would struggle on the wing and get outmuscled on the boards, and Hecht has actually played really well. So far, so good though, imo.

I would veto any line combination that moves Kaleta, Goose, or Ellis.

That's been the most consistent line by far all year.

Thats what worries me, Riley Cote, and Carcillo...who's gonna stand up to Cote? Because as of right now, we dont have a strong fighter on this team. Goose beat the piss outa Jackman, but Riley Cote would end Jackman's life in a fight...I dont really want the Goose trying to fight Cote.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Dress Mair then. I know he's not a real great fighter but he would stand up to a guy like Cote.

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

No. We keep this lineup intact.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Cote does not belong in the NHL. That whacked motherfucker does MMA in the offseason. Nothing wrong with MMA, but I don't want any hockey player trying to put an opponent in a rear naked choke after they tumble to the ice.

Carcillo ain't shit...Kaleta gave him a few solid pops to the schnoz at the beginning of their fight in Phoenix last year that resulted in Carcillo tangling up Patty.

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mechaphil

I like our grit/toughness. Though I would like to see McCormick up...

after last nights game...i'll say yes, we lack some toughness.

Honestly, I think I'd like to see a bit more "oomph" out of our guys. It was nice to see Kennedy try to shoulder into people, but he's just not big enough. He's my size. I know that hard as I may try, I'm not going to really let someone know I was there unless I'm delivering fist after fist of rage into their mouth, or hitting them illegally.

If we had really ground into the Flyers from the first puck drop, I think the game may have had a bit of a different tone. We didn't look BAD at all last night, we just lost.

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Yes; toughness on the first couple lines is sorely missed. Hell, we could put two tough fourth lines together.....

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

In Mancari wasn't such a bum, he'd be a good one to throw on the wing on the top 2, as he can use his body.

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Wheelhouse

I like what Stafford's doing though. Vanek could use his body some more. He's a big boy.

The only line that really lacks size is the Pom-Con-Mac line... but they always seem to have their feet going and that tends to make up for it.

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Wheelhouse

Well, him refusing to use his body is what makes him such a brain-melting bum, so...

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mechaphil

I don't think we lack toughness....we just don't use it.

Ba-zing

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mechaphil