That's my problem with not playing Tinordi/Beaulieu and not having Galchenyuk as a centre this season. They are missing good exp in a year where we are not a cup contender.
The peak (combination of speed, strength, exp) of most players is between 26 and 30 or something like that. Not saying guys can't be good past or before that but usually after 30 a guy starts to slow down (some faster than others like Gomez) and before 26 a guy lack exp. Of course a Jagr slowing down is not as evident as a Gionta slowing down
and a inexperienced Crosby is not as evident as let's say Eller
At the very beginning of next season :
Eller will be 26
Subban will be 26
Pacman will be 26
Price will be 28
Sekac 23
Gallagher 23
The window is starting next season and we have around 5, 6 or 7 years at the very most before guys like Subban and Pacman get past their prime.
Tinordi and Beaulieu are both 22. Yes they still have a lot to learn and might never become good d men in the NHL. But we have to find out this year and next year not in 3 years where we wil be in the middle of the window. At least one of the 2 must get NHL exp. There's no point playing a guy like Allen.
When Pacman and Subban will be 28 guys like Tinordi, Beaulieu and Galchenyuk should ideally have 2 years of xp at their position in the NHL.
Also saying Beaulieu and Tinordi must stay in the AHL to play is not as right as some think it is. In the AHL right now we have Tinordi, Beaulieu, Pateryn, Dietz, Nygren, Bennett, Ellis and vets like Drewiske and Finley. All those guys can't have good ice time. Having Beaulieu and or Tinordi in Montréal gives more ice time to guys like Dietz and Bennett.