3rd line role for DLR is exactly what he is capable of.
Gallagher and Galchenyuk on the 2nd are again what they"re capable of right now. Maybe eentually they get to first line, but there can be no complaint about playing 2nd line minutes and being given freedom to be creative offensively.
Pateryn is in the role he is capable of.
Beaulieu starting as 5th D and possibly moving up if he shows well, no problem there.
Only Tinordi and Bournival are in support roles, but they will get plenty of chances to play due to injuries or another guy faltering at times, I am sure.
Out with Gonchar, Weaver, Allen, Malhotra, Parenteau, Gilbert - that's six of the nine guys older than 30 moved out in a single summer.
And somehow THIS lineup is being criticized for not giving youth enough chance?!
Come on. Gallagher and Galchenyuk have been on the team for years.
When do other youngsters get a chance? If we sign Frolik long-term.. we're really making it hard for them to win a spot... anytime soon.
Sure, we've let a few break through. Years ago. If Andrighetto came up on any other team and done what he did here, he would have been given an extended look. Instead, we through him in a position he has no use being in, wreck his confidence, and then send him back down.
Look at Tampa Bay, for example.
Johnson, Kucherov, Palat, Killhorn, Drouin, and Paquette.. all played relatively decent roles on the club and all have basically 2 years of less of experience. They had plenty of other players with no experience that played more than a handful of games as well.
I just think we need to put our young firepower in a place to succeed. Shoving them on the 4th line and making them grab "the brass ring" is not going to work 99% of the time.