We clearly view BETTER differently & as you as well as others constantly point out it seems to be just about pts with some of you. I look at a broader definition encompassing other aspects of the game that are required to win. For example, the guys that people are talking about demoting from the top nine are Giroux a guaranteed HOF, Perron who has a SC ring & very good NHL resume & Amadio another guy with a SC ring. All three are very good defensively & primarily responsible in helping this team go from close to the bottom of the league defensively to one of the best teams defensively reducing their goals against dramatically in one season.
This has nothing to do with size, but I also think they need more of that on the 4th line as well, players who can answer the bell when it's required, that's just the way the game is played whether people like it or not. Ostapchuk plays LW as well as Centre a position of need, he can take faceoffs, he hits, he can play the PK & yes he can drop the mitts, he has value which is why Grier wanted him. People have been telling me for over a decade they are taking fighting out of hockey & one of these days they will be right.