Jackets go for a Calder Pt 1 CBJ Roster

I’ve had that same thought, but I really don’t think if a guy is ready and better than someone on the roster that they would send them down and risk stunting their development. Also, All the guys in the room know if someone is good enough. You send them down when they’ve earned a spot and you could have a real bad locker room and culture real fast.

It's a matter of opportunities in the proper role imo. None of the young guys that are missing should be playing 4th line minutes which means there is really only 1 top 9 spot available and Blankenburg shouldn't be sitting in the press box. The only guy that could arguably be being held back is Marchenko and there could even be merit to the the argument that he should get used to the NA game a bit before playing in the NHL. Not one that I particularly believe, but if it's with this solid of a top line then I think there's worth in spending the year in the AHL. Stacking the Monsters with Johnson, Marchenko, Chinakhov, Foudy, Christiansen, Blankenburg, Jiricek and Tarasov also gives them a fantastic opportunity to grow together, learn what it's like to be on a very competitive team and develop leadership skills.

I agree with the 4th line bit, but I think they could reasonably play Johnson and Marchenko in the top 9. Marchenko specifically was who I had in mind when I said that, but it’s possible Johnson and Blankenburg show that in camp too. If a guy deserves an NHL spot, they will never justify playing in the AHL to grow with that group, or to play 1st line vs 3rd line minutes.

Not saying it’s out of the realm of possibility that this happens, it just will be because they weren’t good enough to take an NHL spot.

The chemistry is a nice bonus but not a reason to send anyone down.

It's also a matter of them being waiver exempt. If they're this committed to everyone on the roster, I don't think it hurts to send those two to Cleveland and have them get high quality minutes as they get very beneficial development time. There are plenty of good and great prospects that get AHL time instead of limited roles when it can be avoided. The Jackets especially have the luxury of being able to build a legitimate NHL roster without any of their young players being rushed into roles they may be only kind of ready for.

Guys careers have been mishandled by teams all over the league, but the best organizations play guys on merit, not any other superficial factor, like a minute or two per game of ice time. Maybe they get sent down because they aren’t ready mentally, or emotionally, but the NHL is where the bread is made and where the wins really matter. If a player can add to a team, he should be on the team. It’s he’s not good enough, then he’s sent down/waived/traded/bought out/put on LTIR scratched. There’s just no other viable excuse if you’re trying to build a championship culture. The best guys have to play.