The biggest thing for me is Johnny. I always felt he got too caught up in pouting to the refs and it knocked him off his game. So if you're every team in the league the approach is, "Get to Johnny".
He IS a weapon. Spectacular player. But I always thought the whining subtracted from his awesome game waaay too much.
He isn't doing that anymore. I'm positive DS must have told him, "Don't get caught up in that garbage, let Matt do it, that's his game".
Even during the anthems, his look told me, he is intense.
He is an elite NHLer, seriously needed someone to tell him, "everyone is going to hack and slash you to throw you off of your incredible game, because it works".
He's a $10 x 8yr re-sign to me. Term isn't bringing that down much. He IS worth it.
Now that he's learning to stop being distracted by bs. "Show up, keep your mouth shut, and play your game. I'm your coach, the bs is my responsibility, not yours".
Almost like a rebirth. Exceptional player that we really need to stay here and retire a Flames. He's not replaceable by any stretch of the imagination. His PKane comparable now rings true when the distractions stop.
Just play hockey. I'm loving it. Always LOVED the player, but hated how easily he could fall away due to bs.
Extend him now that we're seeing him mature, without question.