To piggyback onto this....if 28 comes back he'll play top 6 minutes like 10 did this season. 17 28 centered by 22. Getter setter scorer. Other top 6. 9 8 26.
BB can figure out the bottom 6.
22 is Nick Schmaltz Lite. Kid has great hands and vision. If this staff is constantly worried about grinding out 2-1 or 0-0 shootout wins this kid will be wasted moving forward. Has to be at worst 2nd line center next season.
Would have been nice for 8 9 10 17 18 26 to be the top 6 from day 1. Develop lines and chemistry. You'd more than likely have 5 coming back. Now you might only have 3.
The fact that 21 played one game in that last month is ridiculous....and I won't even get started on 18. Skill wins games. This team will be better by addition by subtraction next year.