Earning a spot is when you outplay someone (rookie or veteran doesn't matter, it's the best player) for a specific role on the roster (top 6 forward, 3rd line energy guy, 4th line checker, etc). For the first time in a long time, we have competition for specific spots, opposed to a simple base team talent level (which has been pretty low the last couple years)Reefer2 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 29, 2018 10:31 pmMad what do you define as earning a spot? A rookie makes mistakes, it is how the team manages the mistakes that matters. I don’t give 2 flying shits about a 27 yo vet when a 19 year old (who makes mistakes) sits on the bench or down in the minors and does not learn. I’m not saying gift a job to a rookie but the meaning oh rookie = mistakes.Madcombinepilot wrote: ↑Sat Sep 29, 2018 5:29 pm Gifting anyone with a spot never seems to work out.
Not sure what all the hate bashing of 'veterans' is all about.. if the rookies can't win the job, they shouldn't be here.
Did anyone really think we were going into the season with 4 or 5 rookies this year?? And then watch the melt downs as the rookies only get 8-10 minutes a night??!?
By the end of the year, we will see 3-4 (or more) rookies get into the lineup. That's how you develop them.
Some people need to calm down and have some patience.
Depth is a beautiful thing.
But for this conversation, I'll go on a limb here and say we are talking Gagne vs Gaudette for making the team vs being sent down. (And if not, it still makes a good example). Also, I try and keep an open mind as all we see is the preseason games. We don't see practice, intensity, drills, or anything in the locker room.
IMO, this is not a conversation to even be having. people need to think it through. Gagner was kept over summer as the team wasn't sure if Petersson could cut it as a second line center right off the bat, or if he would need a couple months to adjust. Gag's was insurance. Now that everyone knows Elias is ready, Gag's should be getting moved.
Gaudette needed to make the team as a second line center (a stretch for first year out of college) or a third line checking/energy center. He did not outplay Petersson for the 2nd Line spot (but if Petersson wasn't ready, an argument could be made he outplayed Gagner for the 2nd line spot)
Gaudette is now looking to make the team as a third line checking/energy center. Did Gaudette outplay Sutter? No. It might not be the answer some want to hear, but there it is. So at this point, Gaudette goes down to play big minutes, adjust from college hockey to AHL (I don't care what's Mick hints/rants/says about this, the AHL is the best development league in the world) and get ready to make the team next year, or be first call up when injuries happen. Gaudette will better serve the team (or not) playing 15-17 minutes in the AHL as a center over playing every other night for 8-10 min in the NHL. He will get a shot for the NHL still. Gaudette was never competing for a 3rd or 4th line winger spot, so I'm not even mentioning him in the conversation with Schaller or Rousell (of which the team is still not sure how Rousell fits yet)
Now, on a related tangent, I also do not see the burning need for a rookie to play 82 games in their first season. I see no problem starting guys in the AHL and making some trades in October and November to get assets back for guys like Gagner and/or Grandlund. This is good asset management. We make those trades if guys like Gaudette and Motte keep playing in Utica like they are in camp. Then, If they get the call up and play 60 games in a rookie season, I am good with that. We are already one of the youngest teams in the league so I am ok having some older guys like Beagle here to show rookies what it takes to win and compete. No need to rush anyone at this point.
That make sense to explain my thought process?
Edit:
Now, if we don't move Gagner (or reveal a role for him), then I will be driving the 'trade Gagner' train as hard as I was on the 'free bus tix for Gaunce'
In fact, I just realized I AM driving the 'trade Gagner' train!!
WHOOP WHOOP!! ALL ABOARD!!!