Torts' usage of 4th lines goes up and down. If he likes the line he'll play it, doesn't matter if it's the 4th. The issue at one point midway through last year was that he had a lot of laggards he didn't trust so those guys and their linemates just sat a lot. With this much pressure for spots though it's more likely we won't have laggards sitting on the bench, they'll be in the pressbox because there's plenty of good call-ups available.
Why are certain players' worst stretches seen as the norm, and with others its portrayed as out of character? What did Torts think of the 4th line at the end of last year and into and DURING the playoffs?
WHO was playing, what type of game were they playing, and how much did they play? WHO was SITTING? How was the team and those players performing together? Legit impact against both TB and BOS. The entire line.
I don't think he will make the team, and I think the folks who expected him to would change their votes after watching some games and seeing that the more skilled rookies are ready to go.
I don't think many people, even those who chose him in this poll, think he will "make the team", whatever that really means. What I mean is, like the ridiculous amount of people who voted Hannikainen, I'm assuming most people accept or assume that the "open" spots are essentially a couple winger spots, 1 very HIGH and 1 very LOW in the lineup. The people who picked Robinson (I'm assuming) picked him for many of the same reasons that MANY people picked Hannikainen, 1 of them being ok with them getting limited minutes and even pressbox time much of the time.
Also, at what point or how many times do people need to be reminded that,
"more skilled rookies" (if that's all they bring) isn't the recipe for success in the NHL.