This is perfectly normal in the case of a rebuild, and it's a very good thing for the future of the club. If the young players weren't pushing, we would have a serious problem.
However, the downside is that some veterans who do not have their spot guaranteed become less present for the rookies, and that too is normal.
Personally, I don't believe that the lack of love comes from the defensemen, as David Savard and Michael Matheson are not only assured of keeping their spots, but they are also true leaders.
Furthermore, only Lane Hutson seems quite assured of his position, and he hasn't taken it from anyone.
On the offensive side, Owen Beck, Emil Heineman, Sean Farrell, Oliver Kapanen, and even Joshua Roy are standing out and fighting for a spot.
It's certain that veterans like Christian Dvorak, Jake Evans, and several others are starting to feel anxious. Without being mean to the young players, they may be less approachable.
Imagine yourself at work; a young person comes in and takes your job simply because they are better than you. You will understand your employer's decision but won't be thrilled to run into that colleague in the hallways.
That's perfectly normal, but it can create a little internal competition, which is healthy in a team.
POLL | ||
Which young player do you think has the best chance of making the team this season? | ||
Owen Beck | 55 | 26.4 % |
Sean Farrell | 7 | 3.4 % |
Emil Heineman | 18 | 8.7 % |
Oliver Kapanen | 128 | 61.5 % |
List of polls |