Future

I really do think we end up protecting Appleton with our last forward spot and Seattle chooses between Harkins, Stanley or Berdin. For RHS wingers we only have Wheeler and Appleton. Trading both Laine and Roslovic really put a dent in our RH shots. Perfetti shoots left. Torgerson shoots left. Vesalainen shoots left. I realize that guys can play on their off hand, but I think we protect Appleton.

Stanley will need waivers next year so if he's taken in the expansion draft the D setup makes sense but we'd still have Appleton so we wouldn't need to sign Nosek. If Stanley is still on the team he will be on the roster which means one of Samberg or Heinola is in the minors for another year, we don't re-up Poolman and someone plays on the right side, or we waive/trade Beaulieu/Niku.

I like your top line and I like having Blake mentor the kids on the third line. Hopefully Vesalainen can show he's top 6 quality playing with Connor and PLD. I don't see any way that Lowry gets pushed to the wing in favour of Gus, but they're both Left hand shots so one of them could move over there.