Merela is far from a "much better player" than ABB. After 5 or so preseason games and a camp, that's hardly been proven. Also interesting that ABB, the supposed clear inferior player, was getting regular pp2 time as of 2 days ago and 2nd/3rd line minutes in most preseason games. Who is Tampa going to have as a scoring threat with Hagel-Cirelli or Stamkos-Paul/Cirelli, Eyssimont, Motte, Sheary? Merela is fine as a 3rd liner or below, but Tampa has plenty of those this year. A more true shooter(and someone who created a few chances as well), seemed more beneficial for the top 6. Again, if Merela does great, fine, but if he struggles for 10 or 15 games I wonder if he'll get a pass or sent down for a Crunch player doing well.