In what way? Is it purely physical?
I think we, as Wings fans, have been conditioned to be too cautious with some of these guys. Are they likely going to be as strong now as they will be at 23? or 25? No, but I don't think it's really necessary - especially considering how physical play has become de-emphasized a bit over the past ten or so years and that if these kids are making the team, going out there and having to out muscle guys on a regular basis probably isn't something in their game that's making them push for a spot.
What you outline for Bouchard - getting the kid into camp, seeing how he does, etc. - is how we should be treating whoever we bring to camp. If one of these kids comes in and is just plain better than the other guys fighting for a spot, the other guys shouldn't win just because they are older and heavier.
I mean, yes everyone needs to get into camp and see what they are capable of, but Boqvist is not ready in a variety of ways. He split time between SuperElit and SHL. He couldn't earn a consistent spot in the SHL, and in his time there he couldn't produce offensively, which is supposed to be his strength. He is a serious work in progress defensively. He is under developed physically. Now this isn't taking away from his potential or his value as a prospect, but keep in mind he's only one month ahead of the cutoff from being part of next year's draft, meaning he is lacking almost a full year's worth of development compared to someone like Bouchard. He is the type of player that I want in camp and keep him around as long as possible with no intention of him ever sniffing the opening night roster. If he forces my hand, so be it, but nothing indicates he will be ready to. If there's a learning curve for North American ice, how to generate offense against the best players in the world, how to play defense in general, and how to physically handle the NHL, that's just too much for a barely 18 year old to try to pick up on the fly.
I guess my point originally was, Boqvist can take a big step forward developmentally and have a intermediary league to play against men in the SHL next year, whereas Bouchard (or Dobson) is either playing against men in the NHL or playing kids in the OHL/QMJHL.