Tuesday night, Nic Petan watched from the press box as the Winnipeg Jets skated to a 4-1 loss against the Los Angeles Kings.

It was the second time in four games Petan was a healthy scratch, replaced by the bigger, physical presence of Anthony Peluso on the fourth line.

For those keeping score at home, Winnipeg has yet to win this year when making this 'skill for strength' switch. Let's leave the arguments on the merits of strength for another time right now and focus on the skill.

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Winnipeg Jets defenceman Tyler Myers, left, has his shot stopped by Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick during the second period in Winnipeg on Tuesday. (Trevor Hagan/The Canadian Press) Is this really the best development plan for Petan?

Petan, 20, has been a highly touted prospect since the Jets drafted him in the second round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He's loaded with offensive ability. But, as anyone who follows the club knows, the subject of Petan comes with this automatic point of caution: his size.

He's listed at five-feet-nine-inches tall and 179 pounds. Yes, those measurements are generous.

Despite this tired narrative, Winnipeg gave him more than enough opportunity to earn a spot on the NHL roster. The club made a choice to not bring in much competition for Petan and his showing in training camp justified that decision.

Winnipeg Jets' Alexander Burmistrov (6), left, gets a stick in the side of the head by Los Angeles Kings' Tanner Pearson (70) during second period NHL hockey action in Winnipeg, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. (Canadian Press/Trevor Hagan) He was better than Matt Halischuk, Thomas Raffl and Matt Fraser in camp. That's why Petan is on the Jets roster.

If you're sensing a "but," here it is.

Petan has played seven games, has just the one goal, and for the most part has remained glued next to Andrew Copp and Chris Thorburn on the fourth line. He is averaging 9:34 of ice time, with 1:27 of that coming on the power play. The math reveals he is averaging just over eight minutes of ice at even strength.

Considering Winnipeg's history of fourth line usage, that's pretty good.

The playing time is only half of the story, though. Who he's playing with and the role he's being asked to play is where the waters get murky.

Los Angeles Kings' Milan Lucic (17), left, scores on Winnipeg Jets' goaltender Ondrej Pavelec (31) during third period NHL hockey action in Winnipeg, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. (Canadian Press/Trevor Hagan) Petan's skill-set isn't being fully realized skating next to Copp and Thorburn, and one wonders what his production would look like if afforded the same luxury fellow rookie Nikolaj Ehlers has next to him. Offensive guys seem to thrive alongside other offensive players, for some reason.

Right now, though, there's no room for Petan above him.

It feels like the organization is holding onto Petan at the NHL level in case there's an injury. If that's the case, why not get him some real even strength minutes—in a Top 6 role—with the Manitoba Moose while waiting for the inevitable injury bug to arrive?

The popcorn and ice cream in the press box during Jets games is pretty good and all that, but the Moose would be a better development option for Petan at this point, wouldn't it?

Winnipeg Jets' Andrew Ladd (16), left, tries to get around Los Angeles Kings' Tyler Toffoli (73) to get a shot on goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) during third period NHL hockey action in Winnipeg, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. (Canadian Press/Trevor Hagan) Petan playing as a central offensive piece on the farm could also serve another purpose for the organization: he might be able to help a few of the other young forward prospects (Joel Armia, Chase De Leo, Scott Kosmachuk) find their offence.

The Moose have six goals in six games and are winless to open the season, with two defencemen leading the club in points and goals (Brenden Kichton has four points; Jay Harrison has two goals).

The old AHL adage goes like this: 'When the big club is happy, everyone is happy.' Understanding that, the lack of production inside the Moose quarters probably isn't a big concern for the organization.

How Petan is developing in his first year of pro hockey should be, but he appears stuck in the middle: a little too good to be sent down to the Moose, not good enough to beat out another forward on the Jets roster. And if the club sees a physical team on the schedule then he's probably going to be in the press box.

Petan should be playing more — if not in Winnipeg, then in Manitoba.

By the way, Peluso played 9:16 Tuesday night.