You need veterans on a developing team. They cultivate competition and prevent complacency. They provide examples for the younger players to follow. Most importantly they give the coaches options so they aren't forced to put the kids in situations they aren't ready for.
But I don't think Setoguchi was signed for those reasons. The Flames have plenty of veterans on the wing. They have plenty of NHL ready prospects ensuring that competition exists for spots. Also, Setoguchi is a lazy player who lacks any urgency in the defensive zone. He isn't the type of veteran you bring on to surround your kids with.
Setoguchi was brought on to address the lack of depth we have at RW. Both on the roster, but more importantly in the system. He is a bargain player that once had a lot of potential and who is still young enough to improve. He is a long shot to be anything more than an average one dimensional offensive player. But when Hayes didn't sign with us the Flames were in a position to take a risk on him on a 1-year contract.
I don't like the pick-up personally. Not because it prevents youth. But because I really don't like the player. I think he runs counter to the culture we are trying to build and I don't have any confidence he can be more than a 20-goal / 40-point one dimensional offensive player, and only when fed lots of PP time.
But the signing isn't worth the discomfort of knotted panties. Its a low risk (if unnecessary) pick-up.
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