That makes sense . The long term proper development is what is best for the team . Maybe not what is best for over zealous fans that think they know better than the GM and coaches . But with Yzerman's long career and his development as a good GM in a successful Detroit system and what seems to be a pretty good coach in John Cooper . I trust their judgement.
- Maximum Signal

I'm not saying it was or wasn't the right move. However, to leave out the question of whether or not the Lightning would have been a better team with Drouin in the lineup last year is not only short sighted, but also intellectually lazy.

I'm not saying it was or wasn't the right move. However, to leave out the question of whether or not the Lightning would have been a better team with Drouin in the lineup last year is not only short sighted, but also intellectually lazy.
- buffalofan19

last year might have been a tough year to crack a scoring line on Tampa.

I'm not saying it was or wasn't the right move. However, to leave out the question of whether or not the Lightning would have been a better team with Drouin in the lineup last year is not only short sighted, but also intellectually lazy.
- buffalofan19

What ? You sound like an over zealous fan . How do you you know what was best for the development of the player ? Now that sounds short sighted. You think Steve Yzerman and John Cooper were lazy in the decision they made ? Really ?

last year might have been a tough year to crack a scoring line on Tampa.
- joshs

Fair enough, but to automatically sit there and say "well he played one good game this year in the NHL; that must mean he should have been down there last year" is still just plain wrong. The kid was too good for Juniors last year. I hope it wouldn't "hurt" playing there. If it did, there would be a serious problem. It doesn't even begin to answer the question as to whether or not he could have and would have held his own in Tampa last year. Like I said, we'll never really know the answer to the question.

What ? You sound like an over zealous fan . How do you you know what was best for the development of the player ? Now that sounds short sighted. You think Steve Yzerman and John Cooper were lazy in the decision they made ? Really ?
- Maximum Signal

See above. I wasn't talking about them. I was talking about you.

What ? You sound like an over zealous fan . How do you you know what was best for the development of the player ? You think Steve Yzerman and John Cooper were lazy in the decision they made ? Really ?
- Maximum Signal

cant remember. Did they atleast give him a game or 2 as an NHL tryout?

Fair enough, but to automatically sit there and say "well he played one good game this year in the NHL; that must mean he should have been down there last year" is still just plain wrong. The kid was too good for Juniors last year. I hope it wouldn't "hurt" playing there. If it did, there would be a serious problem. It doesn't even begin to answer the question as to whether or not he could have and would have held his own in Tampa last year.
- buffalofan19

He was the leader of a great team . Got bigger and stronger . Went to world juniors. Looks like it did not hurt . Like being in the NHL to soon can do to players that are not ready . These kids are still teenagers.

cant remember. Did they atleast give him a game or 2 as an NHL tryout?
- joshs

Played him in Pre season and sent him down . They did not think he was ready . But what do they know ? They probably would have won the cup with him.

Fair enough, but to automatically sit there and say "well he played one good game this year in the NHL; that must mean he should have been down there last year" is still just plain wrong. The kid was too good for Juniors last year. I hope it wouldn't "hurt" playing there. If it did, there would be a serious problem. It doesn't even begin to answer the question as to whether or not he could have and would have held his own in Tampa last year. Like I said, we'll never really know the answer to the question.
- buffalofan19

Yeah not 100% on this but i don't even think they gave him 1 NHL game for a tryout. I disagree with that.

See above. I wasn't talking about them. I was talking about you.
- buffalofan19

I did not make the decision . Tampa GM and Coach did . They seem to know what they are doing. I am not the one questioning their decision . Go On . You are on a roll.

Played him in Pre season and sent him down . They did not think he was ready . But what do they know ? They probably would have won the cup with him.
- Maximum Signal

Haha I def think they know what's better more than I do.

What ? You sound like an over zealous fan . How do you you know what was best for the development of the player ? Now that sounds short sighted. You think Steve Yzerman and John Cooper were lazy in the decision they made ? Really ?
- Maximum Signal

If I had Stamkos decisions are a lot easier. He did not go back to juniors. Everybody looks smart. Never understood how beating up on kids who not are as good as you develops you. but who knows

He was the leader of a great team . Got bigger and stronger . Went to world juniors. Looks like it did not hurt . Like being in the NHL to soon can do to players that are not ready . These kids are still teenagers.
- Maximum Signal

Like I've said before, there are plenty of teenagers that are holding their own in this league. Are they setting the world on fire? Not necessarily. Are they contributing? Absolutely. Tampa also had a much deeper roster than Buffalo did or does this year, which also factored into the decision. You make it sound like it's impossible to "develop" in the NHL, despite the fact that many teenagers have done just that in spades.

Yeah not 100% on this but i don't even think they gave him 1 NHL game for a tryout. I disagree with that.
- joshs

And they had a luxury of being able to do that. There are plenty of other teams, who, had they drafted Drouin, probably would have left him in the NHL. And he probably would have been just fine, because he's a good player.

If I had Stamkos decisions are a lot easier. He did not go back to juniors. Everybody looks smart. Never understood how beating up on kids who not are as good as you develops you. but who knows
- hafgod

Grow into your body and they give you aspects of your game they want you to work on. Competively practice on your peers. Drouin had Mackinon the year before.

If I had Stamkos decisions are a lot easier. He did not go back to juniors. Everybody looks smart. Never understood how beating up on kids who not are as good as you develops you. but who knows
- hafgod

Sometimes kids are not physically or mentally ready for the big time . Not like Drouin was some beast physically man handling kids in Junior . Sometime people forget these players are still kids . At 18 pretty tough to move that far away and have to take care of yourself . If you are away from home in junior . You are billeted with a family that are basically your caretakers .

Sometimes kids are not physically or mentally ready for the big time . Not like Drouin was some beast physically man handling kids in Junior . Sometime people forget these players are still kids . At 18 pretty tough to move that far away and have to take care of yourself . If you are away from home in junior . You are billeted with a family that are basically your caretakers .
- Maximum Signal

Yet there are plenty of players in the NHL at that age doing just that, and doing just fine.

What you repeatedly refuse to answer is whether or not Drouin would have done okay had the Lightning made a different decision, or someone else had drafted him and kept him up.

See above. I wasn't talking about them. I was talking about you.
- buffalofan19

giggle giggle

And they had a luxury of being able to do that. There are plenty of other teams, who, had they drafted Drouin, probably would have left him in the NHL. And he probably would have been just fine, because he's a good player.
- buffalofan19

truth Completely depends on the team. Look at the hawks/kings for example when you have the talent there's no need to rush players like #toffoli and pearson

Plus if we send sam back to juniors we dont have a 4th line center*Jokes*
at this point just keep him here on the third line. If he has to sit a few games in the press box so be it.

What bothers me is they cant make a decision. IMO If they were going to send him/Zads down it shouldve been right after the preseason. And if they aren't make it clear they arent

Yet there are plenty of players in the NHL at that age doing just that, and doing just fine.

What you repeatedly refuse to answer is whether or not Drouin would have done okay had the Lightning made a different decision, or someone else had drafted him and kept him up.
- buffalofan19

Sydney Crosby lived with Lemieux his first few years . It is not like going away to University and being plunked into residence which is a controlled environment. Tampa obviously did not think he was ready . And that is all that counts he was not drafted by another franchise . So we will never know . Acting like you know what would have been best for him or any other 18 year old is comical . Every kid is an individual and a completely different case . I am sure there a lot of factors besides how he looks on the ice that determine where he is ready to play.

truth Completely depends on the team. Look at the hawks/kings for example when you have the talent there's no need to rush players like #toffoli and pearson

Plus if we send sam back to juniors we dont have a 4th line center*Jokes*
at this point just keep him here on the third line. If he has to sit a few games in the press box so be it.

What bothers me is they cant make a decision. IMO If they were going to send him/Zads down it shouldve been right after the preseason. And if they aren't make it clear they arent
- yen6d1

It sounds like Zadorov can't be sent down. Either he sits and rots up here or he sits and rots in London (apparently).

Reinhart is tough as well because this will be his fourth year in Junior.

It sounds like Zadorov can't be sent down. Either he sits and rots up here or he sits and rots in London (apparently).

Reinhart is tough as well because this will be his fourth year in Junior.
- buffalofan19

Sam will be easy he will go back and captain his team to the playoffs

will most likely be the captain of team Canada should be a good year for him

Sydney Crosby lived with Lemieux his first few years . It is not like going away to University and being plunked into residence which is a controlled environment. Tampa obviously did not think he was ready . And that is all that counts he was not drafted by another franchise . So we will never know . Acting like you know what would have been best for him or any other 18 year old is comical . Every kid is an individual and a completely different case . I am sure there a lot of factors besides how he looks on the ice that determine where he is ready to play.
- Maximum Signal

And what about the other triple digit number of teenagers that stuck in the NHL?

I'm not saying I know better that Yzerman/Cooper, and never did. Ultimately, I don't care what they do. The Tampa Bay Lightning aren't my team. I'm not posing the question "should they have done what they did?" I'm posing the question "would Drouin have been hurt had the opposite happened?" I'm merely pointing out the flaw in your argument that just because he did spend the year in Junior doesn't automatically mean he couldn't and wouldn't have developed had he stayed in the NHL.

Sam will be easy he will go back and captain his team to the playoffs and will most likely be the captain of team Canada should be a good year for him
- gerbe75pts

Ultimately, I think you are right, but my guess is that the Sabres would probably loan Reinhart to Team Canada even if he is still here. The fact that they still have him here, though, to me, suggests that the decision still isn't written in stone. They might have him just bite the bullet.

Ultimately, I think you are right, but my guess is that the Sabres would probably loan Reinhart to Team Canada even if he is still here. The fact that they still have him here, though, to me, suggests that the decision still isn't written in stone. They might have him just bite the bullet.
- buffalofan19

Buffalo can't be dumb i don't think any one in this draft is staying