Clifford, Schenn, Simmonds, Moller? Tell me again how all the Kings prospects have to pay their dues in the AHL? If a prospect is ready and can handle it the Kings have, and always have, under DL been willing to give a roster spot to a kid if they prove they are capable of it. That's ignoring Kopitar and Doughty as special cases. The only prospect the Kings have every really forced to play in the minors once he was ready was Bernier and DL admitted to wanting to bring him along slowly.
Clifford/Moller is not a good example to prove your point, it screwed up their development not going to the AHL(for extended time). Kings brass has even admitted too it(with those two).
Schenn was sent back to Jr's(if he was old enough he would have spent an entire season in the AHL) , Simmonds is the only guy on that list, that didn't spend a majority of his time in the AHL.
With the roster set with Vets, Prospects WILL PAY THEIR DUES. Like it should be.
Now if a prospect is Doughty/Kopitar like, then sure, that guy most likely won't spend any time (or very little in the AHL).
Hell Brown/Quick have even payed dues in the AHL, Quick spent time in the ECHL.
Brown is on record saying "A season in the AHL during the lockout, really helped my Game".
Pearson
Toffoli
Nolan
King
Jones
Slava
Muzzin
A-Mart
Vey
Lewis
McNabb
All paid dues.
Heck I can even add
Richards/Carter AHL Champs
Stoll paid his dues before making the Oilers.
Spending time in the AHL is not a bad thing. In Porky's case, I doubt he even comes over to NA. He can make more money, and receive more playing time in the KHL.
If Porky has another stellar season, his KHL team has to fork over the big bucks. The Kings can only offer the standard ELC.