Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
I don't know about ridiculous. Nakladal doesn't deserve to play ahead of any of the 6 guys ahead of him. What would be ridiculous is sitting defensemen that have been playing well in the NHL for a rookie who hasn't played a game yet. Don't you think? Unless that rookie is the next Ekblad or something.
He'll probably get a chance at some point due to injury or trade or bad play but I don't know why posters think young players should be handed roles they haven't earned yet. Show some patience! Injury or trade, likely to happen within the next month.
You make room for players like Gaudreau and Bennett. Players of lesser ilk you make them force their way onto the lineup. That is pretty typical.
We're a lot more likely to see youngsters in more prominent roles after the trade deadline. I know a lot of people want it to happen immediately but you're just gonna have to wait a few weeks probably.
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Difference between Nakladal and a 'youngster' is he is ufa this summer and has been hands down the best D in stockton. With the team out of the race and without one of ther normal top 6 six guys its the perfect time to see what hes got and get a good sample size, not just a game or two.
Im not really sure what else he could do to force himself in the lineup. Hartley seems set on starting the guys the feels will give them the best chance at winning and thats his prerogotive but im sure when they signed Nakladal for 1 year they knew they had 1 year to figure out if he was nhl calibre.
Plus i just want to see the guy already.