pcm wrote:It makes me so sad to see the opportunity wasted to have Sid and Iginla play together. Really, what a waste. Thanks Dan.
A couple things from that article:
1. He didn't complain about playing LW because he thought it'd be no different... but now admits it was totally uncomfortable for him... which is what everyone but Dan could see from shift 1.
2. He came to Pitt to play with Sid.
3. He never even asked his agent to contact the Pens about re-signing.
In 2009 I blamed Hossa. Now, I blame the Pens.
SId specifically said in the media that he wanted to play with Kunitz and Dupuis. Neal sucked on the LW since the Pens got him. Cooke and Morrow are our 3rd line wingers. Short of shifting all lines around, playing 3rd players on the 2nd and 2nd line players (Iginla) on the 3rd which you are using as your all defense line what was HCDB supposed to do? Teams even adjusted to Iginla on the PP because he doesnt carry the puck or move much - so they could float over and stop his one timer.
He should have never been traded for. Of course GMRS didnt know he would be that bad on the LW and hindsight is 20/20 but it was a bad trade and a bad fit.
I dont blame the coach. He had no place in the lineup and did not fit our style at all.
If he came to play with Sid he should have called him first. And this entire "he had chemistry with SId" thing is overblown. They played a handful of games 3 years ago and actually didnt exactly tear it up.