Good for Slater. It sucks it took an injury for it to happen but he'll get his spot on the team next year for sure. It's funny how people are trying to call him a bust. It was a decision by the entire organization to make Koekoek go the long route and take this long while his fellow graduates are playing. One thing is for sure we are going to have a good looking defense on the ice next year.
Hedman-Stralman
Garrison-Coburn
Carle-Koekkoek
Any of Nesterov/Barberio/Sustr
Long shot would be DeAngelo but I imagine he's gonna play all next year in Syracuse and would've otherwise been returned to junior if he wasn't old enough and would've had to play the year after with the Crunch no matter what just like Koekkoek had to.
Anyhow back on topic, I bet Slats plays great tonight. Really excited for him.
Koekkoek's probably still a year away because he's a LD, and we're pretty stacked on that side. Barring a move, he's competing for Carle's spot. Maybe we switch Garrison to the left side, but I doubt it.
Koekkoek could force the issue, and lately he's been playing like he might. He'll definitely be the first call-up and will probably get 10-20 games in. But, honestly, when you look at our right side, I think DeAngelo has a much easier path to the NHL than Slater. They could realistically arrive for regular duty together in 2016.