Well said.
As much as I want Scheifele to be up there with Kane and Setoguchi for obvious reasons, I was also a believer headed into this year that there was a good chance we see Olli rebound. Now, I'm just not sure. It appears Olli simply doesn't "fit" this teams top 6 scoring unit, so while he may not put up 45-50 points in that top 6 role, he could still find his comfort zone on the 3rd line as a veteran who can provide some offense, which we will surely need.
To me, it's clear that in this situation Claude Noel gave Olli the opportunity and respect (of a veteran and leader on the team and in the game in general) in the preseason for him to either sink or swim while the games didn't result in points at the end of the night. Noel gave him the ice in the preseason to see where Olli was at and what he may do with the ice time. At the end of the day, Olli didn't seize the opportunity, therefore Olli will now start the season in a lower role. He could still very well earn it back at points throughout the season as I doubt Scheifele keeps it all year, but, you never know what the kid may do. Looking at the big picture here, Noel doesn't just have to draw up lines, he has to fully manage these players as people and the moral that goes with it, he's also managing the entire room and it's accountability. What can Olli say or think now? it's on Olli for not earning the spot. As a coach, in my opinion, Noel did his job with Olli and Olli didn't repay the coach, therefore, Olli will start 3rd fiddle while a young and promising up and coming prospect gets the green light in a big role in which he is destined for at some point as an NHL'er and hopeful key cog to this Jets organization. Sometimes you just gotta let these things play out, and right now we may just be seeing this play itself out.