Of course, there are benefits.
In an organization loaded with young talent, the Marlies are guaranteed to open their season with arguably the AHL’s most skilled roster.
Although, as those players thrive on the farm, they become more likely to be plucked at a moments notice by the big club. The threat of losing your best players looms large. Beginning the season, Kasperi Kapanen, Nikita Soshnikov and Andreas Johnsson occupy half of your top-six forward group.
Four months later, and they’re all gone.
The Marlies entered 2017-18 with a roster laden with eye-popping talent.