Instead of looking at it from our point of view of who'd make a good winger for JT, we have to look at it from our opponents' and how they play against us..
In short: They always have their best defenders out against JT and whomever happens to be on the ice with him..
I've never watched a Sound Tigers game in my life, but from what I saw of Strome with the Islanders he's absolutely not ready for first-line duty in the NHL.. He has gobs of potential and everything I've ever read says he's incredibly gifted.. but he's not able to think the game at a level that he can outsmart the other teams' best defensive players on a regular basis..
Nelson certainly seems much more polished, but I think we can all agree that he's progressing quite nicely - and given I have the same inexperience concerns about him as I do Strome, I don't think first line is a challenge Nelson would be up to right now either.
Really, our only choice is Bailey. He's played long enough in the league that he (hopefully) can think at a higher level than Strome/Nelson in most of the situations the first line will face.. he certainly is way more experienced.. plus, in terms of confidence - we have nothing to lose by going with Bailey. We have no confidence in him, and he probably doesn't have much in himself right now.. if it doesn't work out, it's almost like we wouldn't even be surprised..
But if it works out WELL, if Bailey shows that he can actually produce night in and night out playing with Tavares and Okposo - it's a huge boost for the organization and for Bailey himself..
Give it to Bailey, and stick with it for at least 10 games.
