What an awful rebuttal...Jokinen Ruutu and Hudler have all been far more effective career players than "Grabo"..please. And not even in the same ballpark salary wise further proving the s0d0mizing that Burke took on that signing.
Still no examples of a 5.5M dollar player equivalent to Grabo.
Dont cite the Bruins please..Excellent coached team with an abundance of talent and not a single player on their roster who is a one-dimensional goon. Not one. Same with the Ducks you spoke about except for Parros who was pretty much a non participant when the games mattered. Oh boy I wonder why?
And expecting production from your 4th line is not a silly notion at all...Its called smart hockey. Not gonna find 20 goal scorers on the 4th line but at least some players with skill who could surprise with some big goals. You really see Orr/McLaren in a big game scoring a big goal? PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT.
And I agree that the Ducks had team toughness which is different than a couple of neandrethals playing 3 minutes a night looking to decapitate somebody. Why you arguing with me? I'm right and you know it. You know exaclty what Im talking about too. You cant even insult me ala Don Cherry for wanting "sissy hockey" where nobody hits and nobody fights. That is hyperbole that is constantly being spun by goonheads. Consider this..my all time favorite overall player is Wendel Clark...the best fighter pound for pound I have ever witnessed wearing the blue and white.
I watched hockey in the 70s when goons ruled and bench brawling was the norm. I really really dont miss it. I hated watching those Flyers teams winning the Cup. Weasels like Bobby Clarke hiding behind Goons like Saleski and the Hammer SHultz and Mad Dog Kelley. Sounds like the freakin WWF. I don't think hockey would suffer one bit without goonery...maybe even catapult into a top 4 sport in NA....Because really it is the best game in the world for those in the know..too bad in certain markets it only makes the news when somebody assaults another player in a violent fashion.