Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
Meritocracy can take a backseat this year. You aren't going to risk losing Pelletier on waivers when you don't know what he will be a couple of years from now, when you are certain that guys like Rooney, Schwindt, Hunt and Dueher will not be here. That would be beyond silly and shortsighted.
There will be more room by the trade deadline. From now until then, I do not envy Huska's job.
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I think there are always some other things that need to be factored in and the decision making flow chart for players changes depending on different situations.
Meritocracy is one of the nodes that has to be on there, but I think it has more gravity when team expectations are really high. It doesn't get ignored completely otherwise, but I don't think it is as focused on when a team is rebuilding. Other things like asset management, for example potentially losing a player that may not be 100% ready now but is in the long term plans, can override merit. Player development is another one. For example, does Coronato develop better in the AHL at this point, or does playing in the NHL help his future more even if it comes with some hiccups.
Even though Huska is the HC and generally decides lines and where the ice-time goes, Conroy needs to hands on. He'll ultimately needs to decide the roster and can set expectations similar to what he did with Sharangovich last season. Conroy mentioned that he intervened about Shanangovich's ice-time at the beginning and told Huska that he wasn't a 4th liner and expected him to play up the line-up.