I think Sutter has a pretty simple philosophy of until you prove otherwise, experience is a strong x-factor. IE as a rookie you need to be undeniably better than whoever is replacing you in the lineup. If a young player can’t fill the void, all things equal, someone who has NHL years is going to win out. If you can’t be better than journeyman players, that is what you will become. He hasn’t been better than Zadorov or Goodbrandson. Zadorov, there’s an argument to be made, but Valimaki hasn’t been noticably better than him. And Zadorov has a mean physical streak that Valimaki doesn’t. So. Be better.
I would imagine Jusso was going to get in really soon, but this won’t help him with a guy like Sutter.
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