Quote:
Originally Posted by Oil Stain
I dunno. Starting the season with four rookies in your forward core seems like a real Oilers thing to do.
Seems like the exact opposite thing of what you should do to develop young players.
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Well in comparing the situations you have to see how young and experienced the players are.
Strome? Wasn't put into the NHL at the first possible opportunity like the Oilers usually do, he was sent back last year. Now? Probably too good for junior. I think him making the NHL after a year seems reasonable.
Crouse? Has NHL size, strength and skating. Again didn't make the NHL in his first possible year like the Oilers usually like to do, he was sent back to junior. Given his physical maturity and style of game he may be a prime candidate to make the NHL a bit early (just like Tkachuk.)
Chychrun? Has NHL size, strength and skating. One of the most NHL ready players in last years draft, they got him on a steal. Given he played in the OHL early, it was always likely that he might move on from junior early. Time will tell whether he's being rushed or not.
It isn't just about whether rookies make the team. Its about whether they deserved to. It's about whats best for their development. Arguably the Oilers have rushed most of their kids. The Coyotes have in the past with players like Sjostrom as well. Each circumstance is different so we can't really generalize. Have to look at each case separately and judge them on their own merits.
Has Puljujarvi won a role? If not he should probably be in the AHL or Europe.
Caggiula as a NCAA player is a lot more experienced than most 18 year old rookies and thus probably isn't as much of a risk to have his development stunted.
I think the Strome, Crouse, Caggiula and Chychrun placements are all defensible. The Puljujarvi one seems the most puzzling if he really hasn't impressed as much as some have reported.
