One speaks to an organizational philosophy about having an enforcer on the team and the other is praising a player.
I think both are praising players for different things rather than some organizational philosophy but even if they were speaking to that, the Sharks have two other guys slated to make the roster that fill that sort of role. I have no reason to believe that a guy who has only managed to play half the season once in his five years in the NHL has secured a roster spot because the coach liked that he responded for Celebrini. Again, Gushchin does not need to be top six or not in the NHL when the norm is three scoring lines.
Gushchin still on the 5th line even with Celebrini out. I'm sure that means nothing too lol
It doesn't unless you're also willing to say that Smith, Graf, and Cardwell are also on the outs when one of them is making the roster with or without Celebrini. Because they were all on the 5th line too.
They are all also on the outs. Givani is likeliest to make the roster but they could just waive him and go with 13 forwards and 3 goalies if Askarov is healthy.
It makes no sense to say Givani is the likeliest when everyone knows he can't stay in the lineup and we have guys who will be doing what he's there to do. There's no chance that they carry three goalies. Either Askarov gets sent down or Vanecek gets waived and reassigned.
Also, Givani is the kind of guy who fits as an extra forward who will occasionally step in on the 4th line. You don't want to treat someone like Gushchin like that.
The only person that has to be waived to make room for Gushchin, Graf, or Cardwell is Givani Smith and he will pass through waivers. And even if he didn't, Goodrow and Kunin do an adequate enough of a job filling his specialized role for the purposes of avenging our young players that take shots.
What makes no sense is having Gushchin or Cardwell sit in the press box not playing games when Givani is perfect for that role.
Any of those kids making the roster should be playing over Dellandrea and Kostin at this stage.
The purpose of our bottom six this season should be to soak up the toughest matchups and make life as easy as possible on Celebrini and Smith. Gushchin can’t play that role and we don’t need to adjust our strategy just to cater to a one dimensional smurf winger.
