Do you take a beach cruiser mountain biking? Those players player a certain role that the coach wants in the lineup. A player like JHS or a Galchenyuk have limited purpose, some coaches are not interested in their defense lapses offsetting what may be offensive production.
I wouldn't call a top 9 role and the PP limited purpose. Especially, with the team lacking depth on the TOP 6.
I would like to highlight that Ho-Sang in his 10 game call-up in Trotz' first full year was WAY improved - the selfish plays were less and he was sticking to the system and he looked good. He was given an opportunity to play with Filppula and then with Nelson and on the PP and did create a boatload of chances, but he simply did not produce enough - Eberle returned to health and he was shipped back to Bridgeport. Look at the tape of his games during that time - look at his advanced stats - awesome - granted small sample size, but they are insane.
With regards to his 10 game stint - He had two bad games back to back, which was also I assume got him sent down to Bridgeport and not to the press box... one game where he passed back on a breakaway.
I am a FAN of his Talent 100% - I root for him. What a story it would be to see him get through to the other side of this and be an NHL hockey player and leave all this BS behind him.
I also would like to say - There are moments watching him play where I pull my hair because of his inconsistent play away from the puck. He disengages too often, gets lazy, and does too much looping for me - instead pivoting and coming back hard on the play. I believe those are not uncoachable things - they are bad habits, but they are coachable.
Ho-Sang was the last player CUT last year. He was put on waivers and cleared and please do not make that a point. In today's NHL it is rare for players not to be picked up off waivers coming out of training camp - contract #, cap reasons, minors eligibility... teams prefer to similar play swaps. Josh took that hard and did something SO stupid... asked for a trade.
He has broken trust within the organization and he has lost his position on the depth chart, and the road back will be a long one. At the moment, Josh is tasked with repair - he has to work his ass off to repair that trust and climb up that depth chart. I think Chris Lamoriello's comments are indicative of that - Ho-Sang can go out there and show his team his worth and commitment. He'll take his lumps and play good hockey. If it doesn't work out, then he'll be a UFA next season, and let's see if he catches on with someone else. The hard lesson here is accountability.
I get that people are tired of hearing about him and this saga, but what I don't get is the Vitriol for Ho-Sang. It simply doesn't make sense to me.