It’s not good young talent though. It’s very underachieving young players, who’ve both been given every opportunity to make a name for themselves.
Tomasino has over 150 NHL games. For a 23 year old winger, that’s a very good look. 150 is the point of no return on wingers, for many evaluators. Now, there’s skilled players who could have 150 games, who haven’t been given many real opportunities to play in preferred roles. Those guys are one-offs though.
Tomasino has had those opportunities throughout. Fabbro was well over the 200 game marker for young Dmen too. Never showing he’s a legit Top 4 player. Who’s had to be sheltered when playing up.
If players haven’t shown flashes of being something more than they are, many evaluators cut the chord at 150-200 games, depending on position. Trotz is cutting the chord.
As for Dubas, he’s reaching and hoping. Problem is, it’s another asset given away. They need as many draft picks as possible coming up. If Tomasino remains what he’s been, the Pens won’t get another 4th rounder back in return. He’ll end up a non-qualified free agent.
So it’s not like they didn’t give these players opportunities. The problem is, they’re so bad right now and went with a very veteran lineup. So losing 23-25 year olds with some experience still hurts some on paper. Even if they were only preferred role players moving forward.
Trotz must feel Nashville has some things coming, where they value a late 4th more than Tomasino. We’ll see what happens in Pittsburgh. He’ll be given every opportunity to contribute. He’s skilled enough where he may even look like a steal in the beginning. Fans should give it a good 50 games though, before settling into an opinion on him. The odds aren’t in his camp though.
