This is the part that bugs me. We shouldn't be expecting playffs even if thats the seasons goal, so getting the young guys some reps till the AHL starts should be a priority. This is why waiving guys like Balcers and Chlapik instead of lower risk for claims like Coburn, Galchenyuk and such makes no sense. We could get guys like Chlapik and Balcers in a game or two each of the 11 we have before the AHL season starts and if we still see them as not up to snuff waive them then. With no preseason games, it seems like the obvious answer to get a true feel of where everyone stands because intrasquad simply isn't the same thing as real games. Heck intrasquad isn't even as good as preseason games.