I know Stanley hasn't played a ton of NHL games, on account of how he's not very good so he's been benched a lot. But he's a 5 year NHL veteran, and a 7 year pro hockey veteran. Why are they treating him as if he's about to take a big step forward?
He's older now than Chara was when he started becoming the top level D-man people know him as, and Chara was a big outlier in how late he became an elite player.
Injuries have also sidelined Stanley -
Not here to defend him (although I do a lot) but they obviously want to get him in for an extended run of games to confirm if he can be a bottom pair dman. When he's playing his best hockey, that is what he is.
But more importantly (as far as Arniel is concerned), they want his size in the lineup - as if they can get him to be a consistent 3rd pair player, they will have what they want.
When I do defend him, it for that reason only - I also think the Jets need more size out there many nights and they are leaning on Lowry to do all the dirty work. That isn't necessarily what they want from Lowry - they'd rather count on his heavy D game every night and not have to worry about him dropping the gloves and then be without what many consider the best 3rd line in the league - and this will be especially true come playoffs.
I get the anti Stan stuff - but it's pretty obvious why they want him in - and why Ville will struggle (on this team) getting a perm spot in this D lineup. They want size / grit / power (like it or not) - and they will continue to work Stan into games as they work toward that goal. Ville is pretty much the opposite of that. Brings some nice offense here and there but I'd assume Arniel has all the offense he needs already on the blueline.
Now they'll sit Stan down and tell him to stop using his stick (cross checks / hooks) even if they are weak checks - because the refs are calling him for stick infractions every time. It's BS but that's how it is. They don't expect anything close to Chara - they simply want a third pair guy that is large, can kill penalties, can lay a big intimidating hit once in a while, and can take a bit of the load off Lowry.