Girgensons isn't your typical 19 year old prospect.
Actually he is. I think you and a few others are getting a little carried away with how incredible or unique he is as a prospect.
They argued that throwing him into the AHL wasn't the answer to develop him, by the end of the season he was one of their best players.
And why not build on that with him playing heavy minutes in all situations so he can further develop his game. Girgs along with Larsson/Flyn made up the top line by the playoffs with Girgs on the wing. Why not get him back in the AHL and get him going as a center. Thats not going to happen in the NHL any time in the near future. He also needs to develop his offensive game regardless whether or not he plays center. He is FAR from being above the AHL.
The young forwards around the league are getting the same treatment as Girgensons, reduced minutes (12-14 a night for Girgs), and a veteran linemate (Porter, which causes people to rage).
Kevin Porter is a 4th line fringe NHLer. The other rookies are not getting put with players like that as their primary vet to lean on. I like Porter btw.
The snarl and drive and he has is just beyond what I expect from a person. He's a special player who demands a different technique to develop.
He really doesn't have much snarl and I've been a tad surprised by that. He rarely throws big hits nor a lot of them to be honest, at least not nearly what I expected. Girgs also doesn't play chippy at all and backs away from confrontations/scrums as soon as possible even with his teammates engaged. Thats hardly a player with snarl. He certainly is a very hard worker and plays hard but he doesn't quite have the snarl I was expecting. I'm attributing it to his youth at this point. But I'm starting to see vets get in his face immediately when he does try to engage physically and his response so far has been to back away. Thats not good.
I'm hoping Rolston treats him the same way he was in Rochester, ease him in with Porter, add another shift or 2 on every couple games, start giving him a fill in role on special teams.
This somewhat misses the point I was making about already having young players that need those minutes right now. Foligno for example brings more muscle, snarl and better play at this point and he needs those minutes to develop as well.
With the drive and determination this guy has you aren't going to break him by giving him the opportunity to fail, in fact I think the opposite, he's going to surprise you. He has that "it" thing that people talked about with Toews, he might not be able to match his talent level but I'm not concerned in the least bit about him being an impact NHLer.
I'm not dismissing his potential but he has so much to work on in his game and needs to play for it to happen. He would certainly not be hurt at all by going down. I'm as excited about his future as anyone so don't take any of this as a dismissal of him or his potential.
Btw you want to talk about unique as a 19 year old prospect? Then lets talk about Toews at 19yrs old. He was a top 6 all situations center for the Hawks and averaged 18:40 a night that year. His stat line that year : 64gms 24g 20a 54pts. He missed games his rookie year to play for Canada in the World juniors thats why he played only 64gms. Girgs is now where near that level right now as a 19 year old.
EDIT: If possible I would send the entire Amerks top line from the playoffs back down (Girgs/Larsson/Flynn).