The extra 6th can be used to manouver in the 3rd-4th round.
I don't know the implications for Utica.
I also don't know if this is good or bad for Demko.
@mossey3535 Do you feel Demko is up for the backup role this year?
Barely. It might all work out but in general I think he has a ton of work to do to be an actual NHL starter. Like core fundamentals need work.
Working with Clark a lot might get his game in shape and Green doesn't mind riding Marky so the number of games can be controlled. From that perspective he can be the backup now.
IMO I wouldn't though, since he's not that far removed from the concussion and probably benefits more from lots of starts. On the other hand he seems like he can win at the AHL level but the last time he was called up plus this preseason he looked like a mess.
McKenna once wrote an articles about AHL vs NHL and basically said creativity and how quickly plays develop are the major differences. In the preseason Demko seemed unable to read the play, at a time when the training wheels are basically on. So from that perspective he will probably benefit from being thrown into the NHL fire - as the pace increases you adapt. On the other hand, with puck tracking (which he is also not good at) and skating (he is too stiff-legged IMO) you can improve those with adjustments in the AHL.
I do like Demko as a prospect so I'm going to optimistically say it will be good for him but he will have some really ugly starts in there.