It's gutless when he talks about people coming into camp fighting for spots when they're given to select players because of business. Most people saw what was happening from the start, especially once Cleary was brought back. Why can't he just have been honest and say "Jurco, Pulkkinen, Sproul, etc.? You're going to end up in GR. Nyquist? You're exempt from waivers, so you'll be there too. Tatar? You were the AHL playoffs MVP and one of the best players in camp, but we like veterans better, so you'll sit until whenever because maybe we also don't like your attitude"? because honestly, that's what happened. Who cares if people would be less motivated in camp? it didn't matter in the end, so they could have just gone with the idiotic lines they have now from the get go and build chemistry. Whatever.
Some of those vets played horribly. Last I heard, they could have been sent down to the minors instead, and fat chance of anyone claiming them.
When teams refuse to ice their best lineups because of 'business'...that's just ridiculous. It would make more sense to play the kids, get them to adapt to the NHL fully, bench them here or there in place of vets with fresh legs, and everyone ends up with gas in the tank come the post-season...the vets are fresh, and the kids are playing closer to their potential most likely, and their energy would be a boon.
Why can't Holland just admit he made a business mistake and suck it up fr the good of the team? It's not like he doesn't have forward depth to spare.