While I like Minten and what he can become, he's been getting shelled as far as the numbers go. Obviously, some of that is linemates, but he's also gotten to play with Willy so it's not like he's had total scrubs. I'm happy he's put up a few points but I'd rather he keep cooking in the AHL.
For the record, I am not saying RoR is the answer either. We already paid a ransom for him once, would rather not do it again.
I think we know that Minten should have a good defensive game, even at the NHL level. The main question was, could he put up some offense... which he's been doing.
Now it's a small sample set, but if everyone is healthy, chances are he's either playing with McMann and Domi, or McMann and Nylander, if we put Domi with Knies and Matthews.
So while playing with struggling Holmberg/Robertson and Grebenkin/A. Nylander weren't likely to do much for Minten... he's shown some encouraging signs otherwise. It's the start of December, and we should get Domi and McMann back within a week or so. I say just let Minten run with it... There is plenty of time to see if it can work out for us, or not. If it isn't working, I have no problem sending him back, and obtaining a 3C, but I think based on what we've seen, we should be patient and see more. Sure, he's got some learning to do, let him learn... but why spend the assets if it becomes unnecessary?
If we are having this discussion in mid January, and he's still getting shelled... pull the plug, send him to the Marlies, and look around at the options.