Didn't say it'll 100% happen but with every move like this it just increases the chances.
And Patrick's scoring last year isn't an excuse. He's a young player and development takes time, so those numbers are only relevant if you don't think he's going to be better next year. I have faith in him because of what he's showed in his first two years, although inconsistently. I see no reason to doubt him, just like I didn't doubt Couturier, Schenn, Sanheim, etc. when those guys came up and weren't perfect immediately. Clearly the team doesn't have faith in him so this move gets made.
Our future depends on guys like Patrick, Frost, Farabee, and Myers becoming legit players. Anything that has a chance of hindering or delaying that is a potential problem if handled poorly.
On the flip side, this could be a very good signing and help us a lot, I'm certainly not ruling that out. But it all depends on AV and Fletcher, which is where the doubt comes in.
Patrick is not just a young player. He was the #2 overall pick AND touted as being the most NHL ready. His rookie season, you can understand teh early season struggles due to not being able to train in the offseason...and he clearly was much better from Feb-onward....playing at a 52 point pace.
So then when he once again plays like garbage....11 points in 38 games to start the season, it's a major disappointment. Then he turns thins around....only to end the year with 1 point in his last 9 games.
What Patrick has proven, is that he can't be trusted to be consistent or start the season on time. That's mostly on him. And you can understand why a new coach or GM doesn't want to just sit and "hope" when they have another option. Especially when even if he DOES have a good season, you are also betting that Frost has no issues as a rookie.
I have said that as early as a year from now, Hayes might be being outplayed by the 2 kids. But it's quite possible he isn't either especially this year. This year, not likely. 2 years from now, maybe. 3 years from now, should be.
Ultimately, the person who could suffer from Patrick's inconsistency, is Frost. If Patrick saw a 50 point C this past year and looked great, they likely just run with Frost knowing their top 2 C spots are locked in. But now it's up to Frost to show that he is more than ready. And maybe he starts in the AHL...like Giroux did...and show he is the real deal.
In the end, we all want Patrick to be a dominant 2-way 60 C and Frost a 60+ offensive guy. Hayes won't get in the way....just like JT, Nelson and Lee didn't stop Barzal. Show your stuff kid.
