I don't think Tippett or Holland is as unhinged as HF, it's about winning and with Barrie and Bouchard in it's too hard to play another guy who can't PK. I literally think his handedness and lack of PKing is all that's keeping him out right now. Gotta block shots and play harder, I honestly think this is more akin to a parent grounding a child than some massive shift in opinion. Given how excited Tippett was about Jones before he played his last 7 games, which he was all of -1 in btw, I have a hard time thinking his opinion has changed all that much on him. Tippett has shown time and time again that he doesn't quit on players easy and guys like him because he doesn't make anyone a whipping boy. By giving an honest rational behind his decisions and acting on it he gives the player not just the opportunity but an obligation to get better. He consistently articulates this rationality in his daily commentary to the media and all his previous players seem to confirm this as as well. This isn't the Chiarelli era. It's about winning and getting better here now and not pointing fingers.
Caleb Jones is in his first full season and played 7 games early in a season with no exhibition. Sitting while Koekkoek and Russell have been playing is nothing to be ashamed of. Lagesson excels on the PK, is over a year older, and is a good young player too. These are good NHL players and other quality young dmen he's sitting behind who on the left side have brought a different look from him. They were hoping the depth they had could let them sit good players, that doesn't mean it's a bad thing that they were as the teams record lately can attest. Opportunity will knock again for Jones, especially now that Koekkoek is out for the season. I've still got a lot of hope for this player and I'd imagine 7 mediocre games hasn't swayed the "org." either.