I’m just saying Formanton will get his 9 game stint and if they play him on PK and he gets as many Break away and finish on them weather you like it or not he’s there to stay he’s gonna be the LW Pageau 🤙
- Rpm1971

I think the team screwed up with players like Cowen, Lazar, Ceci, etc from bringing them up to early, to not using them properly. It wrecked their confidence and they never developed into the players they should have.

Because of that history, I really think the Sens are kind of scared to give these new prospects a chance because they are freaked out the same thing will happen.

I also think it's time to get them in the line up, get them in the NHL, let them learn from their mistakes and grow.

Diamonds are made under pressure

I’m just saying Formanton will get his 9 game stint and if they play him on PK and he gets as many Break away and finish on them weather you like it or not he’s there to stay he’s gonna be the LW Pageau 🤙
- Rpm1971

He'll get his chances for sure. This was a while ago, but my memory is that during his stint in Ottawa, if he had even below average offensive ability, he would have had a lot of points.

Which is why I really want to take their time with him.

We don't want Eric Condra with better skating.

I’m just saying Formanton will get his 9 game stint and if they play him on PK and he gets as many Break away and finish on them weather you like it or not he’s there to stay he’s gonna be the LW Pageau 🤙
- Rpm1971

I think this is something that some fans are reluctant to see. Kids like Formenton and Pinto have a value added dimension to their game. They have demonstrated a willingness and skill that enable them to play strong defensive hockey.

This is different than elite offensive players who succeed at the development level because they are able to dominate in the offensive zone. Some of the best junior, NCAA and AHL offensive scorers never succeed at the NHL level because they are unable to play an effective NHL defensive game.

The question is not always about who can you put on the ice to score a goal for you.

Some nights the question is who do you put on the ice when McDavid is against you. And, who do you have on the bench to send out when Draisaitle takes his shift.

It was interesting to note how Formenton was always on the ice during the last minute of close Belleville games. It tells you everything you need to know about what the coach thinks of his play.

Because of that history, I really think the Sens are kind of scared to give these new prospects a chance because they are freaked out the same thing will happen.
I also think it's time to get them in the line up, get them in the NHL, let them learn from their mistakes and grow.
Diamonds are made under pressure
- Maverick1818

Horrible mistakes are also frequently made under pressure. People act likes it's normal for teams to rush prospects into the NHL - it's really not. It's also a mistake to forget how much of a gong show it can be for a team when they attempt to transition too many young players into the NHL at once (e.g. EDM, BUF). Personally, I think they're doing it the right way, with lots of veteran support and mentorship. In 2-3yrs time, the team will be overflowing with most of these young talented guys, but they really don't all have to cram into the NHL at once.

As for development patterns, forget guys like Cowen/Lazar... we need to consider the path for higher-end players that were successfully developed from the draft over the past 10-12 years:

Karlsson - 1yr SEL, 1yr split AHL/NHL
Stone - 2yrs CHL, 2yrs split AHL/NHL
Hoffman - 1yr CHL, 4ys split AHL/NHL
Zibanejad - 1yr SEL, 1yr split AHL/NHL
Pageau - 1yr CHL, 3yrs split AHL/NHL
Chabot - 2yrs CHL, 1yr split AHL/NHL

Now, guys like Tkachuk/Stutzle are hyper-mature prospects who were also top-4 picks, and are basically NHL ready out of the gate. Beyond that, higher-end 1st round picks might only generally need 1yr in the AHL (i.e. Brannstrom, Norris, Brown), but if you're drafted outside the 1st round it's more generally 2-4yrs in the AHL (i.e. Batherson, Formenton, Chlapik, Balcers, Abramov, Lajoie, Jaros). Formenton probably deserve a chance based on the quality of his AHL rookie season - but it's not like a 2nd year in the AHL would be insulting, or a detriment to his career. It would really just follow the same pattern as what guys like Batherson and Stone did before him.

I'm curious with why your think Formenton is last or near last to be NHL ready when you include a list with Abromov and Balcers? Neither of those guys are screaming NHL ready to me.

I would not put much stock into what decisions where made last year for call ups. The NHL season will be starting in January (if we are lucky) almost a year removed from last season.

I am not sure Formenton is ready for full time NHL duties but I feel he is in the same crapshoot as all the prospects who are on the fence for the NHL from the AHL. The determining factor maybe roles that the team requires rather than NHL readiness.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

of all the guys I listed (other than Abromov, who I think is pretty neck and neck with Formenton), Formenton is the only one who's looked drastically out of place in his limited time in the NHL. From what I've read of the analysis of his play in Belleville, he's very speedy which leads to scoring chances, but that his game was still very raw and required more fine tuning than some of the other bigger name prospects.

also, last year the callups were very much based on who the team thought was ready. almost all of the "top guys" got time with the big club last year, Formenton was the only one who didn't. If you don't think that's very telling of where they think he is, especially after giving him the 9 games the previous year, I suppose that's yoru opinion. I think it's VERY telling.

I also haven't seen a single projected lineup (from someone remotely credible) that includes formenton. they almost all include Norris, Batherson, Balcers and Brown. obviously projections aren't fact, but the fact that literally NOBODY thinks Formenton is on the roster this year should be pretty indicative IMO. unless the guy comes to camp and gives the team no other choice, I think he spends another year in the AHL

Horrible mistakes are also frequently made under pressure. People act likes it's normal for teams to rush prospects into the NHL - it's really not. It's also a mistake to forget how much of a gong show it can be for a team when they attempt to transition too many young players into the NHL at once (e.g. EDM, BUF). Personally, I think they're doing it the right way, with lots of veteran support and mentorship. In 2-3yrs time, the team will be overflowing with most of these young talented guys, but they really don't all have to cram into the NHL at once.

As for development patterns, forget guys like Cowen/Lazar... we need to consider the path for higher-end players that were successfully developed from the draft over the past 10-12 years:

Karlsson - 1yr SEL, 1yr split AHL/NHL
Stone - 2yrs CHL, 2yrs split AHL/NHL
Hoffman - 1yr CHL, 4ys split AHL/NHL
Zibanejad - 1yr SEL, 1yr split AHL/NHL
Pageau - 1yr CHL, 3yrs split AHL/NHL
Chabot - 2yrs CHL, 1yr split AHL/NHL

Now, guys like Tkachuk/Stutzle are hyper-mature prospects who were also top-4 picks, and are basically NHL ready out of the gate. Beyond that, higher-end 1st round picks might only generally need 1yr in the AHL (i.e. Brannstrom, Norris, Brown), but if you're drafted outside the 1st round it's more generally 2-4yrs in the AHL (i.e. Batherson, Formenton, Chlapik, Balcers, Abramov, Lajoie, Jaros). Formenton probably deserve a chance based on the quality of his AHL rookie season - but it's not like a 2nd year in the AHL would be insulting, or a detriment to his career. It would really just follow the same pattern as what guys like Batherson and Stone did before him.
- khawk

I'm not saying we should rush them in and yes every player develops in different situations. I'm saying when you have players like Logan Brown,Batherson, Forenton, etc. We shouldn't be afraid to bring them in. The way they've been playing, I think they are all showing signs of being ready or very close to ready.

too be honest, even Stutzle, I think given his current injury, I think he should spend some time in the AHL.

I have no problem keeping players down to develop, my point was more that I get the feeling they are keeping players down because of our history with screwing up players confidence.

I also get the feeling that Smith has not problem letting players develop and make their own mistakes in the NHL.