This is my pet peeve with the way the developmental system has been stocked. I don't mind any 5'9" prospect in a talent pool collection, but it creates a mismatch between the Big Club and reinforcements coming up, and do the two ends of the organization marry up to make us a more serious contender year after year?
Going into big elimination games, I basically need my unique, high end, top of roster talent to play bigger and more confident under the toughest pressure moments. I need guys like William Nylander and Mitch Marner to feel like they are 6'3" and feel confident and safe against the likes of of Weber, Chara, Hedman, Jones and other redwood mutant defensemen.
I think the best way to support them is to have capable bigger players who can create an environment for them to thrive, be able to play the game but also give them physical bodyguarding, creating space, police chippy moments.
I feel less comfortable when our young kids coming up are going to be auditioning for those types of roles, but don't have the physical tools. I also feel less comfortable thinking that those players will be going into their playoff trial by fire and be smaller than the higher in the lineup skill guys.
Amen Bro, you're preaching to the Choir.
You hit the nail right on the head, because the feeder system not only is suppose to supply NHL talent, its ideally suppose to fill holes, provide niche roles and responsibilities and add something missing to the overall group to make it stronger and overall better and balanced to play the game any style that is needed to win, thus building an effective supporting cast around your core.
When you continue to draft and add similar types and size prospects there is only going to limited room on the parent team, in specific need roles and none of that addressed big, physical, defensive, intimidating etc and the other attributes that would enhance the core group. That is why you run out and sign Wayne Simmonds, Kyle Clifford, Nick Ritchie types which attempt to fill those roles and essentially create even less need on the parent roster other then a skilled player replacement player due to injury out of need,
PS, That is why there is so much expectation and hope and pressure being placed on Matty Knies, because he is the unicorn of the prospect pool and the one player that has the size, strength, willingness and physical ability to come in an add to the group and not need sheltering himself and allow the team to play bigger and create time and space for his teammates. All these smaller skilled players are only going to cannibalize themselves via limited need, that only allow a select few through, and forcing the others to fail in the process.