It will almost always be better to have homegrown talent vs imported talent. The cost control for one thing. Players on ELCs playing like top players helps. The extra contract year helps you hold onto them. And then, I think most importantly, the players and coaches grow together. They know and love each other and make it much more likely they build good long-term chemistry with each other.
Hockey’s a team game and having your friends on the team does make a difference.
__________________
|