There is also something called injuries. Does it really matter if Jankowski, Foo, Poirier, Shinkaruk, Klimchuk, etc., etc., are on the opening day roster? Not so much in my mind.
I think Stajan has to earn his ice-time, but at the same time, who is legitimately going to replace him on the 4th line? That's not a spot I want Jankowski occupying. Even Lazar to me doesn't really belong on the 4th.
I am 100% ok with Stajan starting on this team because:
1) He isn't a bad player at all - just over-paid.
2) Who else can benefit from that 4th line spot, and what player should be there making the team better?
If the Flames had a 4th line center on the farm that was cheaper and better than Stajan, I may agree that it is time to move on from Stajan. That's not really the case. There is no guy on the farm that is pushing for a 4th line spot. If the Flames want to run 4 scoring lines, now that's a different story. The Flames seem to be running 3 scoring/checking lines and an energy line for the 4th. Until that changes, Jankowski and the rest of the up-and-coming prospects should either play in the top 9, or stay on the farm and get big minutes.
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