Every year, I eagerly await Training Camp and watch the new prospects. I'm always enthused to see if the guys that I thought would make it to the big club do or don't. And every year it's the same story. Some prospect plays lights out and gets no chance because there are too many one way contracts.

We end up with the "Brian Lee" Syndrome... a player who should be developing in the AHL and instead is taking a roster spot because of his contract, while someone else who should be playing with the big club languishes in the minors waiting for the injuries to happen.

If you look at the potential roster you see that there are unlimited possibilities this year. If there are no deals made, I count 30 players that have possibilities (granted some are a long shot):

I love the way Colin Greening played last year and I hope he'll be a great player for years to come... but given the circumstances of last year, he proved nothing so far, except that he has some possibilities. What is the rush? Is some team going to come and swoop him up? NO!!! Giving him a one way could ruin him if he doesn't react well to all the added pressure that will be on him to perform. And then what? The "Brian Lee" Syndrome revisited? This is not to mention that there are six other players that may outperform Greening and end up with the inevitable, "Sorry you are a victim of the "numbers game". Does that suck or what?

That conversation every year where the GM says "This year there will be tremendous competition for jobs" is a sham.

If you watch the best organization in hockey, the Detroit Red Wings, they do things differently. A player like Darren Helm had a two way contract until he was good and ready and now he's a good well rounded two-way player with a one way contract (and a large amount of self-confidence) because he earned it.

Yes there are circumstances that force a decision sometimes when certain players become UFAs and you could lose them. But why hand out one way contracts like you're dealing cards or something? I say let the coach decide who plays... not the contracts.