So with Demko going down as soon as he's healthy only one kid made the team, Pettersson. Not sure if those kids ever had a chance to beat out a contract but disappointed with the lack of push.

So with Demko going down as soon as he's healthy only one kid made the team, Pettersson. Not sure if those kids ever had a chance to beat out a contract but disappointed with the lack of push.
- LeftCoaster

I think it's more so that – did any of them really deserve it more? Motte has been the only one to really stand out so far.

I believe JB and TG that they would have made room, but I think one of the kids would have had to really show they belong, not just gifting them a spot knowing they'd pick it up throughout the season.

So with Demko going down as soon as he's healthy only one kid made the team, Pettersson. Not sure if those kids ever had a chance to beat out a contract but disappointed with the lack of push.
- LeftCoaster

Motte?

I think it's more so that – did any of them really deserve it more? Motte has been the only one to really stand out so far.

I believe JB and TG that they would have made room, but I think one of the kids would have had to really show they belong, not just gifting them a spot knowing they'd pick it up throughout the season.
- NewYorkNuck

Plus they went ahead and added Beagle-Rousell-Schaller so the kids vying for those duties might just think...what's the point?

Plus they went ahead and added Beagle-Rousell-Schaller so the kids vying for those duties might just think...what's the point?
- LordHumungous

I think its literally split down the middle at 50% being that the kids literally did not do a damn thing to stand out, get noticed, or fight for a spot, and 50% that jobs are nearly impossible to take away from long term UFA signings like Gagner/Beagle/Eriksson. All in all, if Motte makes the team because he worked his ass off, and Pettersson makes the team because he is clearly our new best player, than I am fine with that. Utica will be fun to watch this year, that and the draft

I think it's more so that – did any of them really deserve it more? Motte has been the only one to really stand out so far.

I believe JB and TG that they would have made room, but I think one of the kids would have had to really show they belong, not just gifting them a spot knowing they'd pick it up throughout the season.
- NewYorkNuck

No they didn't, which is the point, they never made a tough decision for Benning.

Motte?
- LordHumungous

Not really a kid, is he? I think he's 24?

Edit: nope he's 23 and he's only played 79 games so you're right, imo, he basically beat out our world-beater Gaunce.

No they didn't, which is the point, they never made a tough decision for Benning.
- LeftCoaster

it is a little nuts that these fringe players aren't showing more on a bottom nhl team. If they can't make it here, can they make it on any other team?

How passive can guys be fighting for a job?

Does Benning survive another tank season?
- Nucker101

It doesn’t matter anymore

You'd have to like golf to understand.
- LeftCoaster

Ever played Mountain Shadows?

Ryder Cup is on with some morning coffee
- LeftCoaster

I like golf, but it isn't the most captivating TV at the best of times, and watching those arrogant Europeans against the stupid Americans just isn't that high on a list of things to do today.

I think its literally split down the middle at 50% being that the kids literally did not do a damn thing to stand out, get noticed, or fight for a spot, and 50% that jobs are nearly impossible to take away from long term UFA signings like Gagner/Beagle/Eriksson. All in all, if Motte makes the team because he worked his ass off, and Pettersson makes the team because he is clearly our new best player, than I am fine with that. Utica will be fun to watch for the next four years, that and the draft
- Codes1087

Fixed that for you

it is a little nuts that these fringe players aren't showing more on a bottom nhl team. If they can't make it here, can they make it on any other team?

How passive can guys be fighting for a job?
- hillbillydeluxe

1 - maybe they just aren't that good

2 - to be fair, none of the established NHL players earned a job at training camp either. They earned them in the summer, when they signed their contracts.

Except Horvat. He looked pretty dialed in.

Fixed that for you
- 1970vintage

well played sir, well played

Plus they went ahead and added Beagle-Rousell-Schaller so the kids vying for those duties might just think...what's the point?
- LordHumungous

If that’s their attitude then do you want them on your roster moving forward ?

The way everyone talked about Gaudette and Dahlen I thought one was going to be on for sure ....even for a 9 game stint

If that’s their attitude then do you want them on your roster moving forward ?

The way everyone talked about Gaudette and Dahlen I thought one was going to be on for sure ....even for a 9 game stint
- Redmile247

Dahlen definitely lacked some speed/strength, it was noticeable that he wasn't quite ready. Gaudette had flashes, but I do think the jump was big and needed better support around him. Unfortunately for all the kids, the 'mentors' that are here just are not very good hockey players, so its hard to play with and off some who are have limited capabilities.

Future stars like Boeser and Pettersson (and likely Hughes) will shine through regardless, but others usually need some help and this team has limited help

It doesn’t matter anymore
- CanuckDon

I don’t think FA has gone 100% Jerry Jones

You can't actually make a waiver claim yet, at least not without dropping a player. I have a couple guys on IR...
- 1970vintage

IF you don't move your players to your IR spot then yes you would have to drop a player. Otherwise it will say "don't drop anyone"

I don’t think FA has gone 100% Jerry Jones
- Nucker101

I’m ok moving on from Benning but I have zero faith Aquilini will bring in strong management...so it doesn’t really matter. Benning improves every year but unfortunately it takes him awhile to learn from his mistakes.

Dahlen definitely lacked some speed/strength, it was noticeable that he wasn't quite ready. Gaudette had flashes, but I do think the jump was big and needed better support around him. Unfortunately for all the kids, the 'mentors' that are here just are not very good hockey players, so its hard to play with and off some who are have limited capabilities.

Future stars like Boeser and Pettersson (and likely Hughes) will shine through regardless, but others usually need some help and this team has limited help
- WhiteLie

very well said. solid view (short and long term).

If that’s their attitude then do you want them on your roster moving forward ?

The way everyone talked about Gaudette and Dahlen I thought one was going to be on for sure ....even for a 9 game stint
- Redmile247

What does 9 games have to do with anything?

If that’s their attitude then do you want them on your roster moving forward ?

The way everyone talked about Gaudette and Dahlen I thought one was going to be on for sure ....even for a 9 game stint
- Redmile247

I think its easier to send waiver exempt kids down, especially knowing that the team is going to be bad this year, than it is to put a UFA signings on waivers (thus making your management decisions look bad, and further distancing future UFA signings)

I don’t think FA has gone 100% Jerry Jones
- Nucker101

i don't think he could or wants to. if he did, word would get out pretty fast around the league and he would be ridiculed by everyone from players, management to media.

i think he likes being "involved" in the big decisions: the general direction of the team and big player/coaching decisions.

i don't think he says, "do this," or "do that," but i think that he is forceful in presenting what he wants (even in general terms). more importantly, i think he finds people who will bend to his will or generally support his vision.

my optimism (however much there is) comes from faith in draft/develop. if you're bad long enough, you should accumulate enough young talent to eventually compete. edmonton? never heard of it. it doesn't exist. *sticks fingers in ears*

i don't think he could or wants to. if he did, word would get out pretty fast around the league and he would be ridiculed by everyone from players, management to media.

i think he likes being "involved" in the big decisions: the general direction of the team and big player/coaching decisions.

i don't think he says, "do this," or "do that," but i think that he is forceful in presenting what he wants (even in general terms). more importantly, i think he finds people who will bend to his will or generally support his vision.

my optimism (however much there is) comes from faith in draft/develop. if you're bad long enough, you should accumulate enough young talent to eventually compete. edmonton? never heard of it. it doesn't exist. *sticks fingers in ears*
- RealityChecker

Edmonton is a playoff team. Just got unlucky on the back end last year, perfect storm of a slow start. They'll make it again this year, everyone chooses to forget how much they dominated two years ago with a similar squad.

Unlike some here, I am fine with only 1 or 2 rookies making the team, although somewhat disappointed that a few didn't perform better.
Several people preach draft and develop, yet they sometimes tend to forget about the development part.