OMG You know my thoughts on Whitehead. Asking him to play 5 minutes at best a game is a slap in the face and kills his ability to grow. He might as well go play in the CCHL or the OJHL.
It's the same with Horner. As you said, he proved himself last year, and now he is going to sit and play 5 minutes a game at most. Could you put him on defense at least? Then, even if he is on the third pair, he will get more minutes.
Amidovski and Yanni, Man, are you giving Yanni the shaft? Here is a kid who played well when called up and did everything he was asked of, and you reward him again with 5 minutes at most a period and take an unproven rookie and say he is better.
Boyd has to dump a lot of players. If Ekberg is a center, then fine, but I still think you have to look at this team development.
Next year
Gardiner
Horner
dever
Barlas
Pinieli
Foster
There are too many players. Personally, I think that if you are rebuilding, you should trade at least three of these guys, and if Kelly does not improve early, trade him also.
Boyd has to make the decision early if this is going to be a team that he tries to win the league or if he finally admits it is time to hit pause on championships and retool.