Quote:
Originally Posted by Samonadreau
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.
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Does Russell deserve to sit? Does Smid deserve to sit? Does Engelland deserve to sit? I'm not even going to ask about Brodie, Gio and Hamilton. If the answer is no, then you don't put Nakladal in until you are forced to due to injury/trade. IMO you answer no three times there and therefore Nakladal sits.
What does he have to do to force himself into the lineup? Wait for a trade/injury and then when he does get his chance, play really well. Same as every other normal player.
Until Hartley gets a mandate to play young players and more spots are opened up due to trade and a few more recalls are made, until that happens he's going to dress his best lineup just line any sane coach would do. It's unrealistic to expect anything else. So we don't need to bemoan Nakladal not playing, it should be expected that he wouldn't dress ahead of the six veterans we have right now.