why do you have to use nicknames. god that was annoying to read

I think Andersson looks better than ever this year. 7th round pick good? No, but definitely would be a great Fast type 3rd line player with some scoring upside.

"Krav" "Zibby" and "Buch" really bothered you? This is what just about everyone calls them. Grow a spine

One of Howden, Anderson, Chytl, Krav, or Kakko (not happening) will need to start in Hartford (none require waivers)...the talk has been that Krav may be the one to start there- but wouldn't be surprised if Chytl ends up going there to get big minutes as 1C there- the hope is that he becomes 2C- but I don't think he's shown at camp he is ready yet for that...the minutes at Hartford would help his development, while keeping Strome and Names in the lineup to showcase for trade mid season.
Like that 3rd line...if Chytl does start in Hartford then Names can center Kreider and Strome (or switch Strome with Kakko)...this opens up 4C for Anderson to center Lemieux and Fast...for 13F its either McKegg or Nieves...the loser of that probably gets plucked off waivers.

Agreed--- surprisingly this year Andersson seemed to jump forward-- he seems a lot quicker on the ice.. Advantage probably goes to Howden at the moment but i think Andersson will take the 2c spot this year.. playing in between Kreider and Kakko won't hurt..

Chytil has done nothing to stand out this preseason- its unfortunate

Hot take: Kakko deserves top PP minutes-- I know the Buch-Panarin bromance will grow, but damn can Kakko pass the puck.. maybe he takes kreider off that top unit..

Panarin- Left side wall
Zib-Middle
Buch-Low Right post
Kakko-Mid/high right side wall
Trouba-Point

I agree with you guys that Lias and Howden have looked better than Fil thus far, I'm kind of going with the expectation that they'll still start Fil as #2C for now. I definitely see Fil, Lias, and Howden as interchangeable all year, though. I just was surprised with how well that Krav-Howden-Kaapo line looked and wanted to see how the rest of the roster would be around that line. But I could just as easily see Lias starting #2 center over Fil right now, too

I like Kreider on the top power play for his net front presence (Lemmy on the second unit to stand in front of the net, too), but that isn't bad with Kakko on there, too. Hey it's a good problem to have a lot of options that all make sense, right!? Major difference from past few years haha...

I would like to see what Andersson could do between kravtsov and kakko.. he's just looked like he has another gear to his stride and is getting to the puck much quicker.. he also crashes the net.. howden doesn't do too much of that.. I think andersson has more of a two way game though