I don't disagree with anything you're saying, it's all fair. I just don't care for the way that Deboer or the Sharks evaluate their youth. As you said, Carpenter should have been given a shot over Tierney, Tierney has been awful this season. Labanc, although he wasn't getting points, is still a better overall player then many of the guys were using. Yet, the organization doesn't see the value in what they're bringing and decides to play worse players or trade for a player that doesn't address a real issue. As long as this remains the status quo I think it's unrealistic for us to put any expectations on prospects or the opportunities for the prospects. If they don't prove themselves to be a top flight scorer immediately, the organization will go out and make a trade to take that spot in the lineup.
I agree with the concern on how they evaluate the youth. I just don't agree with Haley being in the way or that they haven't gotten opportunities in general. There are particular kids that haven't gotten opportunities but it's not something I'd say in a general manner. Carpenter and Goldobin both deserved better opportunities than they had been given. Some kids got more of an opportunity than they deserved. I can agree that there are better decisions to be made in this regard and that there are real evaluation concerns when it comes to the youth. But a lot of these kids will get shots and they have a high bar to reach given the fact that they're flexible in their contractual status to be sent down w/o having to worry. But as we saw with someone like Matt Nieto, when that option to be sent down comes with the risk of losing the player, it's a different story.