My Opening Night Lineup

So I have Lauzon being a "surprise make" so to speak. Spooner is here because hes an asset on the PP but is being shopped. Vatrano doesn't make the cut. I really want Kuraly in the lineup but Beleskey gets first crack. Spooner, Beleskey, Kuraly and schalle could be a revolving door that are in and out of the lineup depending on performance. Czarnik has been impressive this preseason so he is rewarded a chance.

Yes, I am double shifting McAvoy on the PP. With Krug out, it really added a wrinkle imo. He is easily the best puck mover back there so put him in a position to shine.

I agree with Lauzon he has been impressive, don't see Backes playing the middle, I really would like to see a 3rd. line of Vatrano-Kuraly- Backes. I hope they are successful in dealing Spooner, he is a one trick pony.

I'd rather have Backes at RW and Spooner at C. If Czarnik has truly beat out Frank Vatrano, then I'd be comfortable placing him at LW and giving him a shot on the 3rd line. I'd probably go for O'Gara as the 3rd LD. I think pairing him with McQuaid would atleast limit the amount of goals the 3rd pairing gives up, which is how I'd personally be most comfortable and approach that pairing to start with. I'd rather not see Lauzon attempt to make the jump to the NHL and end up failing and being sent to the minors. I think it'd be better to give him that challenge later in the year, but I could see Cassidy giving him the shot now. I'd be interested to hear what you think will happen with JFK, I've said for a long time I'd rather see him start in providence and work on his offensive game. I think he could be a Couturier type guy year 1, but Couturier scored less than 30 points his first season. I'm not sure thats chipping in enough to be a 3rd C.