I know they said he made the team out of camp, but I don't understand the statement. Who on the opening day roster didn't make the team? Anyway, I think the extended time out of real action negates making the team then. He has to make the team over again, unfortunately for him (and his expectations are not especially relevant). Then, if he is equal in present ability to someone else on the roster, they make a decision - is playing NHL playoff hunt games beneficial or too risky at this point in development? Is the role he will play worth it?
What I do like to think of is that he either made the team or was close with a relatively useless shoulder that required big time surgery. Hopefully it isn't a permanently weak spot, but optimistically he is even better than in camp.
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