MONTREAL - Max Pacioretty's decision to air his opinion regarding the development of his hockey career was highly publicized yesterday, and in addition to provoking perplexity pertaining to his motivation for doing so, some viewed what he said as an indictment of the team's guidance in that process.

Proclaiming "I want to spend the rest of the year in Hamilton," won't exactly expedite his ascendance to the top six of the Montreal Canadiens-- a place in the lineup he also expressed would be the only thing equal to, or better for his development than continuing with the Bulldogs.

Despite the rest of Pacioretty's comments, which could easily be perceived as shots across Jacques Martin's bow, the coach's response was dignified, as expected.

Martin's pedigree certainly speaks to his understanding of what players need in order to develop. He's also well aware that everyone is different, and that he needs a varied approach as it pertains to each individual. These things you learn over an NHL coaching career that spans over a decade and a half.

If you're a hockey fan, you'd hope that the player himself is most aware of what he needs to do in order to get better. Pacioretty credits Randy Cunneyworth and the new staff in Hamilton for not stifling his creativity, enabling him to absorb the all-important lessons mistakes will offer without fear of immediate demotion; claiming their hands-off approach has led him back on course.

"I've never felt better in my life about my game right now," Pacioretty told Tony Marinaro of the Team 990. He continued:

"They let me play the hockey game I've played my whole life and that's what has made me successful, and that's what's going to make me successful...That's what gives me confidence instead of having a bad shift, getting sat, or maybe going down on the fourth line -- I've never felt that that's the way to build me up as a player. That's kinda why last year, as the season went on every day, my confidence went down a little bit. To tell you the truth I think I even got worse at hockey...We're gaining it all back right now, and if not we've made steps much further."

Was it with an air of entitlement that Pacioretty made his comments, or was he simply stating what he knew to be the keys to his success?

Beyond stating his opinion, his expression of self-confidence is a direct product of an excellent start to the AHL season, with 3 goals and 9 assists in 10 games. And it's hard to argue with that, considering his depression under Jacques Martin and Guy Boucher as the counter.

Regardless of how you view them, Pacioretty's comments provoke the resuscitation of long-held debates regarding how the Canadiens have brought along certain prospects, and how they continue to handle players that are expected to play in scoring roles.

Guillaume Latendresse was given ample opportunity in Montreal to prove he could consistently produce in a scoring role. That he wasn't able to seize that opportunity between the ages of 19 and 22 could be considering a mishandling of his development. But the Canadiens would've stuck by Latendresse if they had felt his attitude weren't so negatively affected by having his scoring role taken from him when he wasn't producing.

Things were similar for Matt D'Agostini as a Hab, in the sense that he got a chance to play in a scoring capacity, albeit not as extensive a chance as the one they afforded Latendresse.

Both players are enjoying new beginnings with other teams; both in scoring roles.

Was it any different with Michael Ryder, who's finally found comfort in Boston this season (3g, 4a in 9 games) (in a seemingly more shocking development than Andrei Kostitsyn's revival)?

The debate extends to every franchise. For example:

Lee Stempniak came into the league with the St. Louis Blues and scored 27 goals in his second season. When he couldn't produce at the same clip the following year, they knocked him down a peg and eventually traded him to Toronto where he was used mostly in a 3rd line capacity. After scoring 14 goals in 62 games one year later, the Leafs moved him to Phoenix--where they needed a scorer--and he provided 14 in 18 games down the stretch.

I digress. Lars Eller hasn't been given much responsibility in the Canadiens' top six through twelve games, and we all know Pierre Gauthier's decision to trade for him was motivated by Eller's ability to contribute in that capacity (now or down the line). We'll know, perhaps as early as tonight, if he can produce under those circumstances. And if he can't make good on an extended opportunity, that might instigate a stronger endorsement for sending him down to Hamilton to play in a scoring role as opposed to letting him toil on the third or fourth line in Montreal. Perhaps Eller needs more NHL exposure, no matter what role he's given.

Who knows what will be better for Eller's development? Who knows what's best for any of these players more than they do?

As for Pacioretty, if he feels he's found the answer, good for him--even if he spoke up out of concern for how they might handle him had he not said anything. Best he execute and produce if given the opportunity to do so in Montreal again, because if he doesn't, he likely won't need to ask the Canadiens to stay in Hamilton.