Something that probably has been unsaid here, unless I've missed it, is that at this point, I think the organization has higher hopes for Andersson than it does Howden based on how they actually are nursing the player.
Now, while Howden has sucked, I'm getting the impression that they don't expect a ton from him beyond what he is now or what they want him to be. He's been the 3C for the team for nearly 100 games, sometimes getting more or less minutes. He doesn't get benched, and you can say that is a result of effort always being apparent, but just making mistakes. Not saying they've pegged him as only a 3C and that Hartford won't make that a possibility, but he's more ready for on-the-job training for his future role.
Andersson seems to be held in much higher regard. If they cared less, they'd actually keep him up because they'd know he maybe doesn't have much levels to go up in his game. I'm of the belief that the organization thinks he's a top 6 caliber center, or even winger, and that he's getting the conversations from Quinn and the votes of confidence. Obviously we don't know what happens when the team is not visible to the public, or presses, eyes, but to me the signs point to them believing Andersson is a core part of the future, while Howden more than likely is someone who is in a support role.
