For two seasons now Zach Hamill has looked great in training camp only to be sent down to Providence. Anyone that attended development camp this year could see that Hamill had improved his game and was being counted on by the Bruins coaching staff to serve as a leader to some of the younger players. His strong play in development camp continued during the preseason, where he scored 2 goals in 6 games before being sent down to Providence at the end of camp.
Hamill hasn't exactly set the world ablaze in Providence so far this year, but the 21 year-old center has 19 points (7-12-19) in 38 games with the AHL club. While he has seen teammates Guillaume Lefebvre, Vladimir Sobotka, Brad Marchand, Trent Whitfield, Mikko Lehtonen, Andy Wozniewski, and Adam McQuaid all take the trip up I-95 this year, Hamill has not had the opportunity to be with the big club.
I understand not wanting to rush your young prospects up to the big club, but I think a taste of "The Show" could serve as good motivation for Hamill. Plus, one thing this lineup has been missing since Kessel's exit from the "The Hub of Hockey" is a guy with break-away speed. This guy has that. I say give the kid a shot.