WTG
December 5th
Say what you will about who didn't play... who did play got us to the finals, while Bertuzzi, Nylander, Larkin and crew are watching from the sidelines.
I'd argue that the benefits this long playoff run is having for players who are our most NHL ready prospects... guys like Grenier, Markstrom, Baertski, Gaunce, Shinkaruk and Corrado... far outweighs any "damage" done to Hutton or McCann's careers.
Virtanen getting playoff ice time is just a nice bonus side effect.
Nylander, Bertuzzi, Larkin were far from the reason their respective teams lost. In fact all those players where a good reason why they got that far.
Hutton is also great. Could have used him right now on the power play. Hutton's extremely good at getting the puck on net.
McCann is a monster. In pre-season you are going to wonder why he wasn't in the playoffs. People are hyping up Cassels right now but honestly I think McCann is better than Cassels right now.