Every single coach in the NHL prefers vets over youth - especially in pressure situations. It is a fact of life. Vets are less likely to make mistakes out there that cost you the game.
With that being said, Hartley has a track record of helping youth along very, very nicely.
People who are butt-hurt about Sven's benching and pointing the finger at Hartley for not liking youth - well, what about the younger Monahan? His minutes have steadily increased as his performance has steadily increased. Sven has been getting better, but he is nowhere as consistent in his efforts as Monahan, I would say. I was surprised by the scratch, but that is the way the cookie crumbles.
It has ZERO to do with an 'irrational hate' for Baertschi, or Hartley hating rookies/youth. Tanguay, Hejduk, Kovalchuk, Drury and other notable players all disagree.
Sven just needs to work on his game a bit, that's all. Part of the growing pains young players have to endure to be successful in the NHL. You don't know if he is missing his assignments, or doing things that aren't fitting into the system. I bet Sven ends up having a very productive season this year.
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