I do not understand the argument "if a forward can play NHL defense, he deserves a spot on the big club, because offense will come with time." Besides Mikko Koivu, when has that ever been the case on this team? And Koivu has never been offensively elite. People are ripping Coyle for never taking the next step offensively.
Zucker, Granlund, and Haula benefited from just a short time in Iowa. As did Tuch or Clutterbuck. So did Bouchard during the lockout.
JEE should have never been on the team last year. He should have been the #1 center in Iowa, playing 20 minutes a game and 1st PP. Wild should have let go of either Scandella or Brodin, and re-signed Haula to play on the 2nd line last year. But water under the bridge.
Now, we should consider whether JEE should get some time in Iowa this year to help him develop his offense.