My post was more generalized in response to another, and you may be right about the Bjork deal, but I still cannot be brought to see that Brett Ritchie is a better option. Either way, my point was more about "management speak" than a particular situation. In this case I will say, though, that in no way does Brett Ritchie deserve a roster spot over Bjork, Cehlarik, Blidh (I know he got crunchd but I don't believe he was going to get a post over Ritchie whatever happened) etc. Backes, well we all know that he was going to be here, right? So at some level, the "may the best man win the job" is not accurate, but I also don't believe it ever has been but no team will ever say it. To think that any coach doesn't have a lineup in mind going in is probably unrealistic. Add in management pressures (like Cam -allegedly- wanting that big bodied Ritchie or Backes sizeable contract) and it is what it is.
So anyway, a bit rambly (it's early in my day) but I don't feel that young players necessarily get a shaft here in Boston, but that some do and will because the process is not exactly as merit-based as the platitudes suggest. Also, I don't expect them to not give the platitudes and throw away lines- it's a PR game as much as anything.