You realize that undrafted players get PTOs? Players with 31 points in 27 games in the CHL get PTOs? Also I don’t get why you’re using AHL totals when they don’t matter when it comes to the NHL. Kochetkov looked untouchable in the AHL and he’s average at this moment. How many guys have been at a point per game pace in their mid 20s and have actually been good in the NHL? At the end of the day I agree that it’s a nepotism pick, but let’s stop acting like players on PTOs will make the actual roster. Don’t get why so many people are virtual signaling about the “poor” young players that don’t get PTOs. Who gives a damn.
I brought it up because you used players like Reaves and Rempe as examples of NHL level players who can be easily replaced by a PTO player. I pointed out that those guys ran laps around Skyler in the same league at a younger age. They’re in the NHL as cement headed bullies, but they are still better hockey players than him. That answers your original point about how his faceoff skills are going to elevate him to the NHL. No, they’re not, because he’s not a good enough player for that to matter.
The reason this all comes up is because it’s becoming very transparent that his dad (or someone acting on his dad’s behalf) is the driving force behind these opportunities he keeps getting at the pro level. It’s not like this is the only case of such a thing happening, it’s all over pro hockey if you have your eyes open for it. But it’s gross. Getting to wear that jersey, even just in a camp tryout context, is a dream and an honor for thousands of young men and the families who sacrifice to get that one chance. There’s a class of guys whose last name gets them a free pass to that honor, and a lot of people rightfully don’t like seeing it happen. And from an organizational perspective this isn’t what internal competition is supposed to look like, whether you’re talking about a hockey team or a military academy or a software company.
I’m not saying you have to dislike it, you can feel however you want about it. But people aren’t being ridiculous when they criticize teams and coaches who do this.