Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
The thing is, Setoguchi and other established NHLers have a different pace to get up to playing speed than do prospects—prospects who have been playing for several weeks longer. There should be no problem if Setoguchi is given an extra two or three weeks to prove himself. He can be dispatched to Adirondack at ANY time and replaced by one of the other worthy players—whomever happens to be stepping up in the early stages of the AHL season.
I have said this now a bunch of times, and it still bears repeating. Previous NHL experience counts for SOMETHING. Even within Hartley's mantra of "earned not given" previous experience will factor in at some point. It's not a slight against young players, and its not something to get worked up about because they will all get their shot—if not all this season.
Staring defensemen will be
Giordano · Brodie
Engeland · Wideman
Smid · Russell
Diaz
Who do you replace Wideman with?
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I generally agree but Setoguchi is a reclamation project and is paid as such. I would think it would behoove him to prove himself at every opportunity and not presume to take the typical veteran preparation path. Ultimately it may depend on what directions management gave him...if they told him to work himself into shape, fine, if they told him to win a job, he may not have.