Quote:
Originally Posted by Table 5
Personally, I think this team needs to find a way to keep at least 2 of these guys up. Part of rebuilding is knowing when you have to make room for the young guys, and I think at the very least Baertschi and Ferland would benefit more from being in the NHL than in the AHL. Gaudreau clearly has the skills as well, but I can see a case for him spending some time in the minors to acclimatize himself to the pro game and it's schedule. Granlund is also waiting in the wings, and he was perhaps the most ready out of all of these guys.
That's 4 players. I think we are that stage where if we don't start making room for a few of these guys, it will start impeding our long-term progress. You always need to have more players than rosters spots because of injuries, but I think the time is here where you start at least exploring the idea of making some room via trades (or trading some of these assets to shift talent to RW or D).
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Disagree.
Actually, to be more precise, I agree with the sentiment, but disagree with the timing. Now is not the time for what you are suggesting.
At some point, yes, you have to find ways to get them into the lineup. The danger is that that is a one-way street - no backtracking, no do-overs, nothing. Once you start shipping the vets out to make room for the kids, you are left with just the kids.
Therefore, you have to be absolutely certain that they are ready. You have to err on the side of caution. And that is why it is best to over-ripen them. Nothing bad can come of that. But plenty bad can come from rushing the process.
Patience.