Quote:
Originally Posted by Seph
I think it's entirely possible to be serious about winning and still play DP more than Rolo right now, even though I agree that Rolo is playing better. Partially, because as you suggest if DP returns to form, or even close to it, we have an extremely strong tandem in net, and that bodes well for a full 82 game season. And the best way for him to do that is by playing.
But more importantly, is the simple fact that DP is signed for many years still and we are stuck with him, for better or worse, for the foreseeable future. Right now, it is important to get him game time, in order to figure out what sorts of workloads he's capable of and what level he can play at, as it makes it more possible to figure out and plan out the future of this team. The team won't always make the decisions that are best for winning the game that night with DP, but with luck, they could help us win more games in the future. We're in the 3rd year of Garth's 5 year rebuild plan, so development is still a major goal of the season. I see DP as a part of that. And we're 2-1-2 with him, so it's not like playing him is giving up on a chance to win.
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I fully agree - I would rather find a loophole (should one exist for this situation) to get him primetime minutes on the bridge, where it won't jeopardize the team's position in the standings as much. Development is still happening here (never really stops until the team in question hoists the cup; even then it's only a 2 1/2 month break) but the balance of 'franchise power' has shifted IMO - for far better than it is worse - to the likes of Tavares, Bailey & Okposo. I want to see them develop more confidence and the ability to scare the hell out of other squads. (Tavares may already kinda do that a TINY bit.) I think these guys developing the NHL-level leadership qualities to take an ex-lottery team by the wrist and drag it to 6th place come playoff time is way more important than flirting with sacrificing points in the standings not because DP's a bad goalie, just because he's brain-fart prone and rusty as a French guillotine.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKP
The guy's coming back from nearly two years without playing. He needs some reps to get his groove back. This team is about long-term competitiveness, not necessarily winning right now. For that reason, DP needs his playing time to get back to form. Roloson is not the future of this team.
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If we're talking futures here, it would be very short sighted not to have a non-Roloson option getting at least a cup of coffee with the Isles, preferably before the playoff push. Again, I'm a DP supporter but I'm not betting the barn on him playing 70 games next year. That's just a clear cut case of how Garth could be gaining an advantage by handling one of tomorrow's problems today.