If Saturday proves anything, it’s that Calgary Flames exec/interim GM Brian Burke is still running with that “truculence” meme.
The Flames recalled Chad Billins and signed free agent Bryce Van Brabant to an entry-level contract today. Burke rolled out some of his favorite buzzwords to the Calgary Sun’s Wes Gilbertson regarding Van Brabant (pictured wearing No. 12 in this post’s main photo).
“He plays Brian Burke hockey,” Burke said of the 22-year-old forward. “A big, hard-nosed, heavy player. He plays heavy hockey.”
” ... He’s got proper levels of truculence. We’re going to see what he can do.”
(One almost anticipates that Burke wanted to say, “And he can sure spell intense.”)
While Van Brabant is a rugged forward, Billins is an under-sized scoring defenseman, as the Canadian Press’ Stephen Whyno notes.
#Flames recall 5-foot-8 defenceman Chad Billins. Had 12 points during Grand Rapids' Calder Cup run last year. #shortpeople
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) March 29, 2014
He’s not the only Flames youngster who is drawing attention despite a lack of size, either. The Calgary Sun shares a great piece regarding Martin St. Louis’ advice to prospect Johnny Gaudreau.
“It’s all about speed. Size doesn’t matter. It’s all about speed,” St. Louis said.
As the Denver Post’s Adrian Dater notes, Saturday went pretty well for Gaudreau and Boston College.
Johnny Gaudreau three goals, two assists and basically stopped playing after 30 minutes
— Adrian Dater (@adater) March 29, 2014
But the question is ... will Gaudreau and Billins prove truculent enough?