Quote:
Originally Posted by PepsiFree
You mean waiver eligible?
Klapka, Kirkland, Hunt, Miromanov, Bean, and Hanley all have to go through waivers to be sent down. Maybe there’s some waiver risk with Klapka, which means there’s one spot open instead of two up front if they don’t want to risk it, but none of the other guys are going to get claimed and, if they do, wouldn’t be a big loss anyway.
Sharangovich, Farabee, and Pospisil are all 4th line candidates if a rookie earns a spot. Hell, Backlund might be a 4th line shut down center as early as this year based on last year. I don’t think anything is a lock. We’re rebuilding. The type of players and skill levels we see as 1st-4th line is going to change pretty rapidly if things go well. The standards will increase.
And if the most a rookie “earned” is 4th line ice time on a rebuilding team and they can’t play a 4th line role, then they didn’t really earn a role.
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Backlund xGF% against the 12 elite players I listed was 59.26%
He will not be our 4th line center.
Kadri against the best of the best has a xGF% 42.18%
Someday Backlund can center the 4th line if he wants to stay a flame for his career and he will do a great job in that role.
Kadri is either a top 6 player or is someone you just don't want in that role. He has never played well against the best players.
You might be right that some guys can get demoted to the 4th line or some would clear waivers. But that will not happen. Honzek or any other young player that has a great camp and deserves a look will get sent down until Conroy makes a move to make room as they will not get a long-term 4th line look and they do not need to clear waivers.
Klapka is not being put on waivers.