Make no mistake - this forward core is good. Even without Saad, I think they could still be top half of the league in GF, CF and xGF like they were last season. DeBrincat and Strome should bounce back and I think Dach and Boqvist will take big steps after some valuable postseason experience (Dach will be coming off the WJC too, hopefully he doesn't get hurt!). The defense hasn't changed much - I said even before the trade that Zadorov is basically a more physical Maatta - so that's largely a wash. The big addition will be Ian Mitchell, who spent an extra year in college to ensure NHL readiness for this season. Not sure how they'll deploy him, especially considering Seabrook is still a factor in the defense, but seeing that Boqvist and Jokiharju both spent a lot of time with Keith, I think it's reasonable to assume Mitchell might receive the same treatment. All of that said, as long as Keith is getting 24-25 minutes a night and relied upon to be a number 1 defenseman, this defense (and the team at large) isn't going anywhere. Goaltending is a question mark -- not bad but a question mark. Delia I think could be a serviceable starter, not a lot of upside but a decent enough piece. Subban, even as a backup, is pretty bad, so maybe Lankinen gets a look at some point. I think they'll be better than Detroit and maybe Florida if they collapse. Beyond that, it's gonna be ugly....
I'm in the minority here, but I'd put Suter higher up with Dach/Kane. Keep Debrincat with Strome. They're both better when they play together consistently. That pushes Janmark to the 4th with Wallmark and IMO Kampf on the 3rd line with Debrincat/Strome and then Nylander on the 4th. Minor stuff, but I do agree with your overall assumptions. The defense just unfortunately needs time to develop properly. I hope they each get 20 ATOI. We need to roll 3 Dpairs.
I'm in the minority here, but I'd put Suter higher up with Dach/Kane. Keep Debrincat with Strome. They're both better when they play together consistently. That pushes Janmark to the 4th with Wallmark and IMO Kampf on the 3rd line with Debrincat/Strome and then Nylander on the 4th. Minor stuff, but I do agree with your overall assumptions. The defense just unfortunately needs time to develop properly. I hope they each get 20 ATOI. We need to roll 3 Dpairs.
Whoever plays with Dach and Kane will score points cuz 88 is that good so Strome Cat on the third is good until they dump and chase the puck and rely on kampf to dig it out. I think Cat Strome Shaw would be our ideal third line
I'm in the minority here, but I'd put Suter higher up with Dach/Kane. Keep Debrincat with Strome. They're both better when they play together consistently. That pushes Janmark to the 4th with Wallmark and IMO Kampf on the 3rd line with Debrincat/Strome and then Nylander on the 4th. Minor stuff, but I do agree with your overall assumptions. The defense just unfortunately needs time to develop properly. I hope they each get 20 ATOI. We need to roll 3 Dpairs.
That could work too, I'm a big fan of keeping Strome and DeBrincat together, but I did like 12-77-88 in the playoffs. I like Janmark's defensive game, so I think keeping him in a more prominent position on the third line would be best, regardless of who Strome's other winger is. Kampf obviously I'd like to have in but I'm not sure where he fits with Suter, who is a complete wild card. I've heard that he should be in the top-6 but I've also heard that he's not even ready for the NHL yet, so I just treat him like Kubalik and have him in the bottom 6 to start the season and see where it goes. Agree with you on the defense, I think we have three 2nd pairs, which sounds good, but hasn't worked so well for us in practice. Hopefully someone shows that they can step up, be it now or in the future
I’d switch Shaw with Nylander, and Janmark with Suter, then Carpenter with Kampf or Highmore
Generally, I like Carpenter a little more than Kampf, but I like Highmore more than both of them. Just not sure where he fits with so many guys already in the bottom 6. Your other two suggestions are good too
McDavid, Connor
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