Quoting: Campabee
I don't disagree with you, however I do not think that management see it the same way. I don't know how to give some of the kids bigger roles though, Zuke, Caufield, Guhle and Dach are all already playing top roles on the team. Guys like Harris, Kovacevic and Xhekaj aren't more than 2nd or 3rd pairing guys and that is what they are playing. Slaf would be the only one of the kids not playing being utilized to his potential but since he was just drafted 6 months ago that is to be expected lol. Also no way is Kavacevic a 1st pairing guy.
Thanks for the response. Here's my thinking:
Guhle should not be playing on the right. It's hurting him whatever we all think of his ceiling.
Harris should not be in the stands. He was playing well enough to hold down a permanent spot. He was actually number 4 to start the year and now he's number 7 in terms of depth because Xhekaj passed him organically and Matheson & Edmundson have been "grandfathered in ahead of him, not on merit but on experience, contract size, and status".
Xhekaj has earned that number 4 spot with his hits, defense, goal scoring, and shooting through traffic. He brings things neither Eddy nor Math do and yet they are ahead of him.
I like how they have managed Slaf. But he needs to stay top 9 now. No more 4th line minutes. He's paid his dues enough.
Lafreniere also would benefit from a low pressure situation. The wheels came off for him when NYR starting talking playoffs.