Some posters are definitely complaining because they are missing their shiny new toys. As evidenced by some complaining about them getting sent down because they were the only reason they liked watching the games.
I think folks need to better understand the balance that is needed when handling vets -vs- rookies. Last night Brian Duff was talking about the balance Hitch was trying to strike between his surging youngsters while respecting the vets and their ice time. I doubt anyone here would argue St. Louis has crappy vets, poor leadership or undeserving youngsters. So even in a much better situation its a concern for a well run and well coached team.
Vet players earned their way and paid their dues (regardless of skill level). I can understand why they would be annoyed by a bunch of kids that didn't earn spots being handed spots on the roster.
And lets not forget what happened in Philly between the established players and the young guns leading to Carter and Richards heading out of town.
Issues between vets and younger players can manifest in many ways and are a more common issue than some on here seem to realize.
We already had a bunch of youth on the roster that worked their way up and are still developing. Guys up front under 25 yrs old like Hodgson (23), Ennis (24), Foligno (22), Tropp (24/rookie?) Flynn (25/rookie) and now Adam (23). On the backend we have Myers (23) and Pysyk (21/rookie) and now add McNabb (22). I suppose you could throw McBain and Weber in there as well since they are both still only 25 years old. And in net Enroth (25)
Now added to that we still have Grigs (19) and Girgs (19).
We only have 5 established vets up front in Ott (31), Moulson (30) McComick (30), Leino (30) and Stafford (28). On the backend there are only two; Tallinder (34) and Ehrhoff (31). Obviously in net there is Miller (33). Thats only 8 established NHL vets. I suppose you could make it 9 if you counted Scott (30).
I have no issue with the kids being sent down, but the manner and timing is all wrong, as far as I'm concerned.
Anyway, like I said, take my opinion with a grain of salt, I don't watch as many games as I used to and I don't follow TBN/Bulldog/whatever as regularly as I used to.
That's one thing, the other is the veterans themselves being absolute rubbish.
Weber, Ott, STAFFORDSTAFFORDSTAFFORD, etc. They all suck.
And I mean, SUCK. They certainly didn't earn the right to mouth off on anyone, especially Weber, who Risto -19 years old or not - IMO outplayed.
Another thing is personal, not objective in any way mind you, and that's the excitement level.
I don't see anyone on this roster who's going to be a part of a successful team outside of Girgensons, Foligno, Pysyk, maybe Myers (yes, "maybe").
Ehrhoff will probably begin to tail off by the time the rebuild is done and I just don't see guys like Hodgson and Ennis being more than fringe top-6/top-9 players (on a good team) unless something dramatically changes in their games.
The team is boring and just become more boring today.