I disagree. I think he rolls with 11-7 because out young defenders are the ones that need the most sheltering and help if things go wrong. There is more ice time available than he'd like to give to each of the kids, so he has an extra body out there so that everyone gets what the should have.
Our young forwards have a lot more in the way of vets who can insulate them, or pick up ice time if one is having a tough night. We have to remember that this is a rebuild, and that the development of the young players is most important this year. Our D corp is super young outside with two stone cold rookies and one with less than 100 games (sometimes two if Harpur or Wolainin are in). With only 6 on the roster it means that if anyone is having a rough night, or needs to have their ice time reduced, we don't have the bodies to make it happen.
I personally think the armchair coaches have it wrong here. I'm super happy with how Chabot and White have developed, so I'm willing to trust how our coaches are dealing with the kids.