So what happens if Goldobin, Juolevi and Demko badly outplay Gagner, Del Zotto and Nilsson in pre-season? Will Jimbo and Green be true to their word? Will Utica have one of the most expensive payrolls in the entire AHL?
What about next season when benning and green would likely be judged by their place in the standings? Are they going to trust having that many pure rookies in the lineup when their jobs depend on being within 10 points of the playoffs?
Demko, juolevi, Hughes, gaudette, Dahlen, maybe Palmu or someone else and maybe if they get lucky J Hughes too. 6/7 rookies to put your faith into when your job is on the line or have egg on your face this year and try to move out the bad contracts.
Nilsson if he clears waivers you want a vet in the ahl in case demko doesn’t play well. So no issues there.
OJ likely to start in the A due to his back surgery . Didn’t get the chance to improve his conditioning.
Gagner if he clears he clears. May have to trade that deal and eat some contract.
Sunk costs. Demko costs $800k more at the nhl than keeping him in the A. Gaudette would cost around the same too. Is $1.6 million more not worth developing? Don’t get hung up by the salaries already committed. That’s sunk unless you can move them.
Remember they front loaded eriksson, beagle, and Roussel. So cash Flow not an issue.