Hamilton, like TDA, are very good regular season defenders. They crumble when its going gets tough. Yay for 9 million of regular season success.
That’s a pretty weak argument, honestly for both of them. Both TT and Aho despite putting up production have been disappointing in terms of impact in their playoff performances….especially the first couple of seasons. They had to grow into the role, they both still have room to grow. No one seems to really care, and we just focus on putting better players behind him instead of labeling them as players that “crumble”.
Dougie had one “bad” series where he was counted on to do way more defensively than he had to in his Canes time, without the best defensive defenseman in the game helping out. Dougie actually had one amazing game against Nashville, with two key plays that won us the game but we forget that.
Do you seriously think Burns could handle the full load of being the top pair guy without Slavin better than Tony or Dougie in the playoffs? I highly doubt it.
As far as the nine million, with the cap going up 9 is the old 7 and with Dougie playing to the level this season I hardly doubt anyone gives a crap over there, just comes off as sour grapes from you.
Why not just appreciate how great both players were for us, and accept the truth that the team wasn’t deep enough and got what it deserved for that? Teams focus on the players who impact the game individually x2 in the playoffs. Not unusual for key players to struggle to replicate regular season success point wise.