Bourque is definitely an example, Warsofsky last year. Or him relying too much on the Soda, Nieto line as a shut down line. I know he's not anything close to the worst I never said he was. But he for sure has his comfort zones that he gets into.
Remember, Bednar didn't exactly treat Soda like a favorite son either. That first year he was exiled to the 4th line and then started the following season as a healthy scratch, then 4th line C. I think that line got all the ice time and tough assignments because there simply wasn't anyone else. Bednar tried to use Landeskog in a more defensive role last year, and it didn't work.
Who knows...if Kamenev hadn't run smack into Brooks Orpik last season, he might be that guy right now.
So far the Soda line and 4th lines are playing almost identical minutes. My guess is that if that 4th line continues to grow, it'll get more minutes and that 3rd line gets bumped down. That's why I predicted that Soda will not finish his contract as an Av, I really do think Bednar and the organization are trying to phase him out slowly, they just couldn't last year. We know Bednar listens to the analytics department, and they've likely been telling him that Big Carl's underlying numbers are kinda weak.
I too am not saying he's perfect but I'm at all concerned at this point. If he just stews there for multiple games, then I too will be a bit irritated. But Bednar has gone on record that he doesn't mind having the kids watch a game from time to time, hopefully when it's time Kam will be rarin' to go.
I'm just going to politely disagree with you and everyone else who thought Warsofsky was a bad idea, I thought he did fine on a team that was absolutely decimated with injuries. He only played a handful of games, and eventually Alt took those minutes so no biggie.