He garnered a second rounder because he'd been lighting up the AHL with Pearson and Toffoli and LA had too many centers to make any room for him. At the time it actually looked like VAN taking advantage of organizational depth to get a guy who looked like he could play an NHL role at a discount. He just hasn't translated, much as many guys who have AHL success can't bring it to the show.
That said, he can play NHL minutes even if he isn't going to knock anyone's socks off in doing so. The guy basically can play literally anywhere in the lineup and not be awful. He's a really good depth piece in that way. Not unlike Kyle Wellwood was for a few years. It's a no-risk acquisition.
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