Quote:
Originally Posted by PepsiFree
This statement is nearing the level of a cliché
If we have a solid prospect who can do well on the bottom pairing and play up the lineup in a pinch, leave the spot open. But if we're leaving it open for Wotherspoon? Who barely looks even relevant? Then what are we doing?
I don't think it's wise to leave a spot open when you don't know if you even have a capable prospect to fill it. I'd rather develop through AHL time and call-ups than hurt the team by gifting a spot to a guy who looked "the best" out of a bunch of unready guys.
|
I agree with this. Treliving has said multiple times that competition makes everyone better. There's no way he's going to take the Edmonton approach and intentionally leave an NHL roster spot open for a rookie/prospect. They need to earn it. And if they earn it, he's shown he's more than willing to send a Raymond/Russell/Stajan type vet down to Stockton in order to play the better player.
Now with that said, I'm not sure Russell is the vet we want to bring in (I still think Nakladal might be the better more cost efficient option). But, if we sign Russell to a small money, one year deal with the intentions of playing him in a 5/6 role (and allow for a prospect to steal his spot), then I have no problem with that.