We don't have a single prospect in the organization on the level of a Jack Eichel, and only Smith on the level of a Sam Reinhart, and he's not playing this year
We're not blocking any bluechippers from playing NHL minutes they deserve, all our prospects are borderline NHL players at this point of their development
Eklund has an opportunity to win a legitimate spot out of camp, and he will likely claim it
Bordeleau, Muk, Thrun, Gushnin and the like? If they earn it, fine, but if they don't it won't hurt them to play in the AHL, if anything it's more likely to hurt them playing on a last place NHL squad if they aren't quite ready for the league