Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Shafer
It'd be a mistake to drop our best PKer
He's getting ice time. He's getting competitive ice time. He's playing well. He's practicing with grown men in the best professional league in the world. He's learning from all-world and former all-world and future hall-of-fame players. He's sheltered from the full storm while playing just enough to get that taste that will help him grow into a monster down the road.
We are developing Couturier far better here while he's helping us when than the other option of sending him down where he just dominates, possibly learns bad habits, and doesn't help us at all.
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You're right on this.
In no way am I comparing the two players in terms of style, but look at what Boston did with Seguin last season. Played 4th line, and was even a healthy scratch for a few rounds in the playoffs. The point is to get the player to develop, and there's no better way to do that unless they start developing the habits of an NHL player.
Just think, if you were 18 years old and got the chance to practice with guys like Jagr and Pronger everyday, wouldn't you start to pick up on the things that make some players elite?