Well I said season AND preseason. You can't just ignore his historic playoff performance.
I didn't. He did very well last year in Juniors, had a great pre-season. I never argued otherwise, so not sure what your point is with this. I still want him in the AHL this year, at least to start.
So you would also send down Kotkaniemi an Fleury? You would only call them up once you *think* you can contend? How do you know when you are in contention status? How do you know how long it will take to get into that status?
I wanted KK in AHL or Finland last year. No..I wouldn't just call them up when I think we're ready to contend. I would do it regardless of where our team is after they displayed a very good stretch of games in the minors if need be. There isn't a one specific type of situation they need to abide to.
I look at our current team, our expectations, our affiliate and their expectations, along with the individual's potential and expectation. Factoring all this, I rather Suzuki start off in the minors.
Kucherovs first season was when we swept Tampa in the first round. So should they have kept him down there?
Who cares? For the record, Kucherov was killing it in the AHL before he got called up. He had 13g in 17gp with 24pts. I never argued against calling Suzuki up if he's absolutely owning the competition.
Blues were the worst team in the league until January 3rd, did they make a mistake keeping Robert Thomas?
Honestly don't know where to start with this...hmm...you suggesting we're going to win the cup? Thomas has 1 NHL season and he was a pretty insignificant piece for their PO run scoring 1 goal in 21gp. But wouldn't Thomas have needed to go back to juniors? If not then ya, I likely would have preferred him to at least start in the AHL last season.
If Suzuki's choice was NHL or juniors, then I'd probably keep him around.
There are so many other examples out there.
Ya...there are countless examples of guys starting in the AHL and doing very well after, you named one yourself with Kucherov. Who cares...I never said Suzuki wouldn't become a good player if he stuck around, so not sure why you bring up examples.