I wasn't talking about Forsberg. I won't even balk about Pouliot. But, in a cap world, where SOMETHING has to give, if you're going to be drafting all of these defensemen high, then you need to be playing them on their entry level deals so you can allocate cap dollars (a) where you're not as strong in terms of prospects (up front) and (b) to exploit the one advantage you hold over the rest of the league (Sid and Geno).
The Pens have 4 guys who can play, as I noted. On a perfectly healthy 1 is. That's bad cap and asset management.
That's the whole issue with this train of thought, are we rebuilding?
Point #1.
Not all of these D-prospects are ready for full-time top 4 minutes. Maatta has been the closest thing to this notion, and they have made that statement by keeping him up. Despres, at the time was their best bet, and he hasn't grasped that role yet in more games than Maatta has played to date.
Point #2.
To shove all these D-prospects into the lineup at once constitutes a rebuild. Those don't usually come with cup aspirations.
Point #3.
Win now, seems the tone the team has taken.
Point #4.
These D-prospects have to actually be better than the roster players they're to be replacing on their ELC's.
Point #5.
These guys will not be just thrusted into top 4 minute roles and just cut loose players due to their ELC's, they'll earn their spot through the bottom pairing like anyone else. Otherwise, again....that costitutes a rebuild.
What's more important to you guys, winning it now, or getting all of these D-prospects in on ELC's?
One way has you trying to win it every year, and the other in a couple more seasons or more. Which leads to another question.
Do you want to waste another couple seasons on a defense rebuild that you're speaking of, wasting more prime years of the top stars?
The picking heavy on Defense seems to be keeping the ones you have the highest hope for and the rest are trading chips for what you need.
Balance is key, but that balance can be disrupted easily with injuries, moreso at forward. Now why's that? Because their cap dollars are allocated there more. It's the only place on the roster that can absorb the top heavy contracts due to sheer numbers.