I disagree with both of you here even though I understand the sentiment.
We are talking about a young player with less than 20 NHL games played, in my opinion at this point every game he plays is meaningful and important for his development.
If he misses the rest of the season that would mean he comes in next year having not played in an NHL game in almost a full calendar year and instead of being "ready to go" because he had played 2 to 3 games to end the previous season, his first game back will be a "feeling out" and cautious start to his year.
Getting in some games this year not only gets him more experience playing NHL games but would give him a chance to get over the mental aspect of returning from a serious injury.
I think it depends on the surgery (did he have surgery?) and rehab on that shoulder. Some of those things, you end up with a shoulder that pops out easily to the point where you can't secure it in place, and there's always a risk of it going with even the slightest contact.
I'd rather the kid get the shoulder 100% fixed and in place and set, so he isn't afraid of going into the corners and giving/receiving hits. Get it fixed, and fixed properly.
We had him out for a good 5-6?? months now. I'd hate to think we kept him out that long just to have him get wiped out in Belleville and re-injure the shoulder just to get in a few games asap. That's a horrible way to start an NHL career.
And I am totally ok with him taking a good 10-20 games in the fall to start off a bit slow and get back into it. He's got his entire career ahead of him, and we're not competing for a Cup next season. He's got time.
