Jaded-Fan
Registered User
That's the whole issue with this train of thought, are we rebuilding?
Point #1.
Not all of these D-prospects are ready for full-time top 4 minutes. Maatta has been the closest thing to this notion, and they have made that statement by keeping him up. Despres, at the time was their best bet, and he hasn't grasped that role yet in more games than Maatta has played to date.
Point #2.
To shove all these D-prospects into the lineup at once constitutes a rebuild. Those don't usually come with cup aspirations.
Point #3.
Win now, seems the tone the team has taken.
Point #4.
These D-prospects have to actually be better than the roster players they're to be replacing on their ELC's.
Point #5.
These guys will not be just thrusted into top 4 minute roles and just cut loose players due to their ELC's, they'll earn their spot through the bottom pairing like anyone else. Otherwise, again....that costitutes a rebuild.
What's more important to you guys, winning it now, or getting all of these D-prospects in on ELC's?
One way has you trying to win it every year, and the other in a couple more seasons or more. Which leads to another question.
Do you want to waste another couple seasons on a defense rebuild that you're speaking of, wasting more prime years of the top stars?
The picking heavy on Defense seems to be keeping the ones you have the highest hope for and the rest are trading chips for what you need.
Balance is key, but that balance can be disrupted easily with injuries, moreso at forward. Now why's that? Because their cap dollars are allocated there more. It's the only place on the roster that can absorb the top heavy contracts due to sheer numbers.
This has been addressed.
Unless you toss them into the fire and deal with their growing pains, prospects are not worth a warm cup of spit. Just think back to Goligoski and even Letang when they first came to the Pens, and for their first two years, when they were downright brutal with turnovers, etc.
Once you actual develop them, and they prove that they can cut it at the NHL level, sure they have some real value. Until then? Not so much.
That is the inherent flaw in the Shero model.