I agree with you here, but on top of this is that Bouchard really will have nothing to learn in junior. I also think he's shown enough to be on the third pair - sheltered minutes and with a defensively responsible partner (hello Russell) for 9 games. Throw him some PP time on the 2nd unit and lets see how it goes. IF he falters, send him down and give it to Bear.I think it's pretty easy to piss you off.
For what it's worth, I think Gravel was decent as well... but maybe they wanted him to get a bit more time in the AHL while they tried out the golden boy Bouchard as well as get longer looks at Jerabek who they spent $1 million on already and is "supposed" to be a fairly mobile puck mover.
Personally I think they are really going to be pushing the speed/breakout/big shot angles with the new systems and coaching tactics.
That could explain why Garrison (big shot), Bear (big shot and PP weapon), Yamamoto (good speed and shiftiness), Bouchard (big shot and excellent breakout passing), McLeod (great speed and passing skill) are still up with the team.
Gravel is more of a solid all around dman and they seem to want to go with a more mobile, potentially aggressive shooting/passing/breakout group is what I'm guessing.
That's the theory anyway... we'll see how it all plays out and if they have the right personnel to pull it off throughput the lineup and not just be a 1-line team again this year.
I'd rather Bouch or Bear be on the 2nd PP unit than Benning, but that's just me.
