Quote:
Originally Posted by activeStick
I don't think it'd be wise to put the kid into the top 6 on the bottom pair while the team is still battling for a playoff spot. He was sent down after camp due to his defensive deficiencies and Parekh himself said he was lost on the ice during camp playing with/against bigger, faster NHLers in a new system. I also don't think it'd be good to sit him on the bench during a game and have him jump on only for PPs or OT as he'd be cold.
He seems to be smart as hell and obviously very talented, but I don't think it's fair to slot him in with regular shifts (even if bottom pairing, low minutes) in case he makes a big mistake (and he'll make mistakes) that impacts that game in a serious way (which is likely given how little the Flames score and every goal against is a big one).
Have him practice with the team a ton, and put him into the lineup in round 1 after he's had a bunch of practices under his belt and when the team needs to mix up the bottom pairing!
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I was thinking the same thing. I don't think you put him in until the team is mathematically eliminated.
Players from right out of junior are going to make mistakes, and in fact they need some leeway to make mistakes. It's how you learn anything.
It would be unfair to put him in a position where he makes a mistake and it negatively impacts making the playoffs, even if making the playoffs is unlikely at this point. You don't want to put that on him mentally.