[killer_carlson]

That above article is garbage.

The thing it ignores is that someone has to make up the ice time that the 4th liners are not playing. When westgarth isn't playing those extra 7 to 10 minutes of ice per game, then Monahan, Backlund, Colbourne, or other prospect has a better chance of earning a bonus shift or shifts. I like this carrot being dangled in front of the roster much more than I would a 4th line of veterans who demand 10 minutes of icetime on a bottom of the league club.

We don't have enough top end prospects to dress four lines of them. you want to develop prospects? then play them. Reward the positive effort and output with substantially more ice. Keep some muscle around in case someone (Backes cough cough) gets out of control. Bump Colbourne out on a shift with Camalerri or Hudler now and then. Bump backlund up if he earns it in a game. Show Monahan some extra ice in different situations.

If we were in year three of he rebuild, or had a roster of top shelf prospects this would be different. But we are part way through year one and need to be honest about he con sequences to prospect development for those who can crack an NHL roster.