I actually think this would help Gaudreau a lot. Even if they wanted a bit more balance and went Backlund between them and Monahan with Lindholm

I would LOVE to see the Flames do everything in their power to get Brady Tkachuk from Ottawa.

That would be a very steep price though.

Solid lineup, although very top heavy. The 3rd line doesn't promise much offense and 4th line is pretty green. I worry about that 3rd pairing (and 4th line), that they might not play solid defense or provide offense, bad mix of youth/skills, and lose confidence.

To be fair, I'd like to see Valimaki paired with cheap UFA Hamonic, and put Lucic down on 4th line with leivo or simon getting 3rd line, (not sure that addresses the above worries about forward lines though).

I honestly put Valimaki above Hanifin by the end of the season. I think he will be a top 3 D by season end, surpassing Tanev and Hanifin.

I'd honestly like to see Leivo in the top 9, and move Lucic down the line up to the 4th line. I want to see younger guys playing that bottom line.