Every Daigle Has His Day
Part Three: The Effects
January 24, 1998
Author: Unknown
Daigle’s debut was unimpressive to the point that one Philly wag asked afterwards when Daigle was going to play his first game. It was a defensive game (against Buffalo), so there were no breakaways, which is where Daigle shines. He short-shifted himself a few times because he was out of gas (the Flyers were polite and suggested that it was the All-Star layoff) and admitted afterwards that he was nervous and occasionally lost, but Daigle got a power play assist and the Flyers won 3-0, so no one really seemed to notice. The Ottawa reporter covering the game said that it was vintage Daigle -- an assist, but no hits, no faceoff wins, nothing else but that assist. He was slightly more noticeable against the Rangers a few days later, earning a near-breakaway after catching the Blueshirts on a line change (Daigle shot wide) and notching a few hits and offensive opportunities.
Daigle’s acquisition does do pleasant things to the Flyers’ lineup. It allows Dainius Zubrus to drop down to third line center (Daigle can also play center), which allows Joel Otto, who is finally acting his age (36), to drop down to the fourth line pivot and rest between penalty kills.
