Well if the vets aren't as good as the prospects, as some here are arguing, then the you'd lose more games and possibly not make the playoffs. Again, if they were better they'd be playing. There was room for them, there was opportunity in the top six, but they aren't even being given a chance, why? Because they're not ready.
I feel that's a stretch and dealing in a realm of unknowns when you say seeminly without doubt that they aren't ready. What we do know is Red Wings like to keep players in the minors longer than what's usually common in the NHL. I don't think that can be disputed much. Brendan Smith was ready to play last year, he played 14 games and had a .50 ppg. There is no doubt the team would have been better with him, but would he have improved as much playing 10-14 minutes a game, rather then 20 in the AHL? I personally don't know, but the Red Wings track record has leaned towards keeping players in the minors, even if they are "ready".
Sammuelsson is a good player, averages 40-50 points a year, has experience with the team, he's an insurance policy for us. Babcock can rely on playing him in a 3rd line role as he is a pretty good defensive player, he can play on the powerplay, he can play on the top line. Those are skills that a rookie player just aren't going to have usually, and that's why we signed him, he has versatility.
