I'd put Petan's value somewhere between his harshest critics and some of those who believe he is a top 6 player just given the opportunity. The Jets ended the season with 12 roster players 25 y/o or younger that played regularly. Somehow they all managed to develop with often inconsistent usage, time on the 4th line with plugs or PB duty or trips to the Moose. It is really only Laine with his draft pedigree that was slotted in the top 6 with #1 PP duty from day 1 as an 18 y/o, and even then some of our Finnish fans would argue he suffered through the great burden of having Little as is center. It is the NHL and you have to fill out a roster, not every player gets a cherry picked spot with optimum usage to develop. Most players have to fight and claw and show the best of what they have to offer no matter what the usage. Petan has failed to do that. IMO he has shown enough to hold onto, but now after his ELC has been played out he is no longer a prospect. He is a depth player, that will need to be effective no matter what situation he is placed into, or he will soon be making a career in lower leagues.
Bogo, I usually agree with you but have our kids really been jerked around near as much?
Morrissey, started with Buff as a top 4 dmen and moved up to the first pairing the year after with Trouba. No time whatsoever in the bottom pairing although was asked to carry some weaker partners at times during injuries.
Ehlers started with Chef and Perrault as a 19 year old rookie. He did spend some time with Thor and unsurprisingly produced absolutely nothing during that time. He was then moved back up and has essentially been on the top 6 since.
Conner: Started on the third line with Perrault and Armia as a rookie. Eventually got moved down to the 4th line and produced nothing with dregs and got sent down. When he made the team again full time it was on the top line and he stayed there pretty much all year.
Roslovic is really the one exception but the org gave him plenty of time in the minors before bringing him up. They also moved him up the line up fairly quickly when he was playing well.
Petan has predominantly played on the 4th line with limited time in the top 6. Pretty much the complete opposite of all of our younger players who where given a much greater push in the top 6 with very limited time on the 4th line.
I am not saying he is as good as any of the above but Petan hasn't been treated the same by Maurice and has not been given anywhere near the opportunities as some of the above to find their footing.