I guess I don't see stepping up as a single game elimination thing. Galiev's stat line looked pretty good in the first game. He didn't play in the second game. Sanford didn't play in the first game.
I don't see the need to get judgemental after 1 game.
Most seasons there's a guy who does well enough in the pre-season to force his way onto the roster, or very close to it. Think Matt Hendricks, Connor Carrick, Liam O'Brien, Tom Wilson, Chandler Stephenson, etc. This year there's even an open roster spot up for a forward to grab. Depending on how serious they are about Williams on the third line, that open roster spot could even be in the top six. The coaching and management spent half the off-season pumping the tires of Boyd, Vrana, Barber, and Sanford. Yet, thusfar, nobody has looked like a strong candidate to grab that spot. That even applies back into the rookie tournament as well.
This isn't saying doom and gloom for the entire season. This isn't saying doom and gloom for the entire pre-season, even. But there's nothing wrong with expressing frustration that none of the young forwards are stepping up and firmly seizing an NHL role. Everyone hopes that changes in the coming weeks, but that doesn't mean these past couple games haven't been disappointing.