Edited Sep. 15, 2019 at 5:46 p.m.
Quoting: bhavikp27
No, no, no. Keep how it is now. That's 5 (6 with Boyd) natural C and they all need to play C. Keep Kuznetsov at C as he should. No need for Faksa.
Moving Kuznetsov to wing and adding Faksa at 3C, or anyone who's better on faceoffs than Faksa, basically cuts 167 turnovers a year out of Kuznetsov's game, and adds 167 takeaways, instead. Except before each play even starts. He'll probably get 20 fewer assists, but 10 more goals each year, if he doesn't have to backcheck as much, and gets to rush the puck more freely.
Hags at 2R is a bit brave, given he has a career high of 30 points. If he doesn't work out there in the preseason, Janmark might get a look, at that spot, since he's at least hit 19g, 34p, before. Or it's not too late to sign Vanek or Marleau, if they'd take 1.6M, but it means waiving Leipsic.
My initial thought here was to put Eller on the top line for faceoffs and defense, build Backstrom an all-Swedish speaking line, and build Vrana a Czech/Slovak line. But I didn't feel like fielding the flak I'd get for starting Kuznetsov at 4L to make 20 goal scorers out of Dowd and Hathaway, even though that does seem like the appropriate way to thank Dowd and Hathaway for signing such team-friendly long term contracts, it would let the team roll four lines at evens, and Kuznetsov would be free to cherry pick, Jagr style, playing with two solid checkers like that.
edit: So I'm saying my initial draft was:
OV-Eller-Wilson
Hags-Backstrom-Janmark (rental, hopefully replaced by AJF next fall)
Vrana-Faksa-Panik
Kuznetsov!?-Dowd-Hathaway
Roll four lines. 2nd and 3rd line have language advantages and can make up their own styles and plays, as they go. 1st and 4th line each have an elite LW, a checking center with decent skills, and a gate crasher who can play the puck a little bit. When the team's behind, late, reunite the real first line. Otherwise wear defenses down, confuse them, and hold onto leads really well.