The idea that Hakstol is uncomfortable playing young players is a stupid myth that keeps repeating itself around here.
Yes, he'll bench young players for repeating certain mistakes (probably because after you say it a dozen times, benching is the only way of getting their attention).
And yes, there's a tougher standard for say TK than Voracek, you're not going to change Voracek at this point, you play him or trade him.
Provorov has led this team in minutes since he hit the ice, why? High hockey IQ.
Patrick played as many minutes as he could physically handle (16+ by the end of the season). He'll play 18-20 a night this season, Why? High hockey IQ.
Lindblom was immediately put on the 2nd line, why? High hockey IQ.
Frost will get plenty of PT once he acclimates to the NHL. Why? High hockey IQ.
(Couts, Patrick, Frost, Vorobyev, Rubtsov - what do they have in common?).
When Farabee comes up, he'll immediately get a significant role. Why? High hockey IQ.
Ghost had great physical skills but was erratic as a rookie, third season, his two way play improved substantially and he played 20+ minutes a night.
TK has improved but it's not an accident he's only played well with Giroux and Couts. Couts covers for him, the way he's covered for a number of forwards.
Sanheim was erratic, bad play in his D-zone, bad gap control in the neutral zone, struggled to finish (i.e. score) in the O-zone.
Laughton simply isn't trustworthy in his D-zone, he's safer at LW with a center who can cover for him.
Hagg played a lot early due to the Gudas suspension and Morin injury, as the season progressed his PT declined because he's not a high IQ player.
Gudas had his minutes reduced because he was far more erratic last season than the previous two.
One reason Schenn got traded I think is because Ron didn't think he was the kind of center that makes his wingers better with his anticipation and defensive acumen.
That's what determines PT for young players, do they execute fundamentals? Do they play a 200 foot game? Do they know when to gamble and when to play it safe?
Some guys have this down as rookies, some guys take 2-3 years, some guys are brain dead (Hextall tries to avoid drafting them) and need to be traded before it becomes obvious to other teams.