Even though we have reinforcements (i.e. Biakabatuka) on the way back, I don't think that clears the air as to what will happen with the 20 y/o players. The only way we are farther ahead is that at least we know that Biakabatuka will play major junior hockey this year rather than the AHL. So he either plays with us or he's used as an asset to acquire something.
I don't think that anything with Trudeau will be settled until further into AHL camps. There will be a bunch of guys on the Laval roster as the Habs get things settled with their salary cap situation and we'll see guys from Laval eventually shipped to the ECHL team in Trois-Rivieres. My own personal opinion is that for a 20 y/o player, you play him in the AHL if he's ready to go, but if it's going to be ECHL he might be better back in junior hockey. But... with the Habs... they keep things close to home. NHL team in Monteral... AHL team in Laval.... ECHL team in Trois-Rivieres. There's a appeal to keeping Trudeau within a short trip of the parent organization for things like training, nutrition, fitness as opposed to him coming all the way back to Charlottetown.
Then there's the matter of the fact that that we still likely owe something good to the Armada in place of Guay. Even though Trudeau is a defenceman, that's still a great fit. They could use an upgrade in goal too, so Lapenna is also a good fit. But we can't have the Trudeau to Blainville option if he's going to spend the season in pro hockey.... but we'd still be in debt to them.
What is the best option......??
I think this team needs a 20 y/o on the blueline. There are too many young and inexperienced players on this team for when the tough times start. Squires and Tessier have had some at bats in this league, but we really, really need a veteran presence on the back end....either Trudeau or Biakabatuka.
The PEI Rocket had a good team in 03-04 (first season on PEI) and used three 20 y/o's on the blueline (Tyler Noye, Brent MacLellan, Steve Pelletier). In 04-05, we lost all of them (obviously) and our Euro blueliner (Milan Hruska) went back to Slovakia. The defense had too many guys with too little experience and it was a struggle.
Keiran Gallant is a 20 for sure. Patrick LeBlanc has showed well and will fall somewhere on the spectrum of "cut because of numbers game" to "part of roster". We're carrying 3 goalies (less than ideal) and can trade Lapenna or Satny at any point. I hate to think about moving Lapenna. We are 2-2 and likely would be 0-4 if not for him. But I think in the long run we need that veteran blueliner even more.
For right now, I think we have to stand pat until we know we can shore up this debt with the Armada. Send them Trudeau, or Lapenna as soon as there is clarity with the Trudeau situation. Lock in Gallant and then Leblanc continues to just show up every day until there isn't a job for him. He's playing well and writing his own story. If he keeps up the strong play, there's likely a spot for him somewhere in this league.
