Andersson was brought up when Bertuzzi went down. It was pretty much a logic: "big body for a big body".
We are an undersized team, so missing any big body will hurt us more than some Bruins, Kings or Blues teams. 50% of our biggest forwards are out (Bertuzzi and Sammy of Mule/Miller/Bert/Sammy). That's why they want to keep Andersson there and not build an all-midget offense.
We should really add more size depth at next summer, trying to sign like both Penner(6'4) and Horton(6'2) and keep Andersson(6'2), Mule(6'3), Sammy (6'2) and bring Sheahan(6'2) up next year or after if Bert is done/gone to replace him. Then there would be adecent group of forwards with big size. If one is missing, it won't be immediately a killer. Then surround those big bodies with smallish skill (Nyquist, Tatar, Zeta, Brunner, Dats, Järnkrok) we kind of endlessly have, and we have a better balanced package again.
This is a BIG BIG point for me.
I think people focusing on size are WRONG. I think this is like MONEY BALL. Size is not nearly as important as it once was.
Will being smaller stop our players from getting to the net for garbage goals? - Yes
Zetterberg and Datsyuk are small players than can excel against "BIG" teams. Do they only excel because there is a Franzen/Bertuzzi in front of the net??? - I don't think so.
Montreal last year was criticized for being "small" and "pathetic"
They add a few more players, and all of a sudden, they are near the best in the EAST.
They did not do this on size. They are just starting to be more skilled than their opponents.
I do not care if Tatar/Nyquist remain 3rd line players... they are BETTER 3rd liners than miller/eaves.
2002 3rd liners dandenault/hull/datsyuk were all small.
I want our team to utilize our small skilled players. It is where we excel. We will not beat Boston trying to play like Boston. We beat them by being BETTER than their players.
If you want a LARGE and Skilled team... we need to adopt completely new drafting style... and that style requires higher picks. So if we tank for 5-7 years, then we can rebuild that way. I say take advantage of what we have. Small skilled guys, play them all.
If we don't win that way so be it. BUT, it is our BEST CHANCE to win.