Michael Pezzetta played 4:57 in the game against the Calgary Flames. The game before that, he played 6:00 minutes against the Anaheim Ducks. Before that, he played 5:15 against the Winnipeg Jets. This is a problem when you’re a developing team but you want to go on a playoff run for experience. Which way does Martin St. Louis want to play this? 

If there is nobody else in the organization to fill this role then that’s a big problem that hasn’t been addressed all season through the trade deadline. Now, it’s a wasted roster spot, not an indictment of Pezzetta, it just hurts a team when a player only gets 7-9 shifts per game. He does take an occasional shot and he hits but that’s all he has time to do in his limited ice time.

I know Pezzetta was hurt and I realize he’s filling in for Patrik Laine, but again, there has to be a better solution than this and I think the answer is when he plays, give him more ice time. You’re not playing him to provide offense. He’s never done that. But at least, let the physical element spark the team when they need a boost. 

This is the coach's choice but when you need to rotate players in and out of the lineup for various reasons, there should be more selection and that’s on the general manager. He shops for the groceries and that’s his responsibility. That has to be better next season for sure.