I don't know, I'm not sure Hall or Allen were ready for full time OHL minutes last year. Getting quality minutes in junior B was probably better for development than the bottom pairing role they would have had at best last season, and likely would have rotated in and out of the lineup if they were both with the Rangers. Also not sure limited minutes under Smith's coaching would have resulted significant improvements in either player.
Who are the "several" players that fit that criteria (2nd year eligibile, under 15 games experience prior to this season, playing 4th line/pairing)? By my count, it's just those two D.
15 games is obviously a bit of an exaggeration, but the point remains.
Allen and Hall didnt see much time, Cascagnette, Bzowey as well. Not to suggest these guys turn into world beaters, but serviceable players with a bit of experience for either trade for to step up when injuries occur.
Could also say Davies to an extent. The guy was never given the opportunity to play higher then spot duty on the third line.
Forget about lines and pairing numbers - last season Smith rode his top 4 d, and his top 2 lines into the ice hoping to win more games. There were close games last year where the 3rd and 4th line, would see maybe 1 or 2 shifts in the 3rd, 5th and 6th d-men would go out one every 10 minutes.
You're right, they may have developed better in Junior B, then on the depths of the Rangers line-up, but in a season where the only ending point is a first round loss, I don't see the value in riding the top lines and pairings, and not only not letting these guys into the line up at all in alot of cases, but when they are, only giving them 5 minutes.
It's total assets mismanagement. A team needs to recognize when it can't and wont be successful in terms of a playoff run, and start giving that valuable OHL time to guys who are supposed to factor into next season.
You give them a shot, they either prove to you they can play, thus alleviating the need to go and get two O/A d-men, or free up the ability to trade an equal, but slightly older player. For example, I don't see anymore out of Blaisdell then I do/did out of Allen and Hall, yet Allen who is the younger, longer servicable player didnt see much time, and left the team to seek a trade.
What I'm seeing this year, is the team is rolling its 4 lines, and 3 pairings. Thats how you develop the young guys who arent slotted high in the line up.
That was my main point - young guys not getting the time, even if their game totals are higher than 15 games - seeing the ice a few times a period in a desperate hope to keep ones job and make the playoffs.
Why not trade Iafrate last year or Maaskant to get these guys more of a chance, and really evaluate what you have?
Some are saying they didnt see the upside in these guys, but how can you, when they get into the line up once every couple weeks, and play for 6 minutes?
The end of the season result wouldnt have changed. The guy who brought the team to the post season was Paterson. That was a crucial pick up to do so.
It all comes back to one thing for me. A Coach and a GM trying to get extended - we all know in Kitchener, that wouldnt have happened if they didnt at least get to the post season and make a push in round 1. No we have a bunch of 2nd and 3rd year assets only now seeing true time, a former first rounder dealt because he was buried on the depth chart, and a promising 3rd rounder dealt for the same reasons.
Just my two cents, I dont expect everyone to agree.
