maybe i am delusional, but i think that LL&Co want to win at both AHL and NHL levels. create an atmosphere of winning.
the best chance of that happening, is if we send the kids down. if the big club is in PO contention, nothing changes. if they falter, ship out the UFA's for picks, and bring up the kids.
i see Sbisa being signed, and Toews sent down. yes, we could effectively argue that Toews is better, but LL works for the crest on the shirt, not Toews.
unless LL can trade a few players soon, and open up a few spots, i don't see it any other way.
they seem to be much better defensively, based on preseason, so i am anxiously waiting for the season to start. i want our kids to develop, but i want to win too, and that comes first. i want both teams to make the PO's...