Flames forward Tim Jackman and Devils forward Eric Boulton exchange blows at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alta., Jan. 10, 2012. (TODD KOROL/Reuters)
CALGARY - The NHL is going through a post-lockout arms race.
Don’t be shocked to see the Calgary Flames increasing their ammunition by adding Brad Winchester to a lineup that already has Tim Jackman.
Adding more grit — a catch-phrase for a third/fourth-line forward who crashes, bangs and drops the gloves — has been one of GM Jay Feaster’s quests for months. Winchester was invited to training camp without a contract and could very well get one in the coming days.
We’ve seen why there’s a need ever since the work-stoppage came to an end.
In the last week, the Carolina Hurricanes grabbed Kevin Westgarth from the Los Angeles Kings for Anthony Stewart AND a pair of draft choices, the Anaheim Ducks signed Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond, the Vancouver Canucks signed Jim Vandermeer, the Florida Panthers signed George Parros and the Edmonton Oilers, who already had Ben Eager and Darcy Hordichuk in the fold, added Mark Fistric and brought Dane Byers to training camp.
