After filtering out UFAs and Lehkonens with 1 year left (i really dont see lehkonen being a part of a long time plan, there's just no space. maybe for a few more years, but not for a long time), the depth chart looked like this (with some lines set in as well):
So as we can see, first, our LD looks about set. Edmundson likely plays out his contract, then is let go. Maybe he's traded, maybe not. It all depends on the young three's progression. Right defense, on the other hand, is worrisome. Petry is 33. He will likely retire within five years. Savard is 30, but is going to decline eventually. Petry is likely going to be the 1RD for as long as the rest of his career goes, unless MTL finds someone else. Savard should be stable at a 2RD position for, say, three years? and then his position will be taken by Brook.
My idea: Shift Romanov to RD. That way, we have a definite 1RD, and then Guhle and Norlinder can fill in the 1LD and 2LD spots. If this happens, the future probably looks something like this:
In this scenario, either Savard or Edmundson would likely be traded to create space for Brook to slot in as the 3RD, and eventually the 2RD once Petry is gone. Then, for the 3RD spot (and a 3LD spot once Edmundson is gone), you could add someone(s) from free agency, have someone like Fairbrother slot in, or make a trade (a pick for a defenseman? an offenseman for a defenseman?)
Next, we move onto the wings, which we can see, we have too many of. The four RWs in the lineup (Caufield, Gallagher, Hoffman, Anderson) could all easily slot into the first line if needed, including Armia (5RW). I believe that the most likely scenario here to happen would be a trade. Even if one shifts to LW (I see the most likely candidate for this being Anderson to 1LW), there are far too many wingers on both sides. If Anderson shifts to LW, the offensive lines become:
Anderson - Suzuki - Caufield
Toffoli - Kotkaniemi - Gallagher
Drouin - Poehling - Hoffman
Byron - Evans - Armia
6/8 of the wingers (Armia, Byron are the 2/8), in my opinion, could slot into the first line if needed. That's a lot of guys who want a lot of ice time. Plus, we haven't even accounted for Mysak, Tuch, or Ylonen coming into the lineup. I think that if any of those three wingers fast tracks to the NHL within the next two years, Byron or Drouin is traded. This creates room for whoever comes up to fit into the third line. Here, I feel there are multiple scenarios that could take place. (Ylonen used as a sample, Byron is traded)
1:
Anderson - Suzuki - Caufield
Toffoli - Kotkaniemi - Gallagher
Hoffman - Poehling - Ylonen
Drouin - Evans - Armia
2:
Anderson - Suzuki - Caufield
Toffoli - Kotkaniemi - Gallagher
Drouin - Poehling - Hoffman
Armia - Evans - Ylonen
The two flexible players that could go to either wing would be Armia and Hoffman. We've seen Armia play LW all throughout the playoffs, and he didn't do terribly. As for Hoffman, I'm just assuming CapFriendly knows his positions 😅
The other alternative that could happen is if 2/3 wingers fast track to the NHL, meaning both Drouin and Byron are traded.
Anderson - Suzuki - Caufield
Toffoli - Kotkaniemi - Gallagher
Mysak - Poehling - Hoffman
Tuch - Evans - Armia
And if all three go speeding to the NHL, well, one of you is just going to have to wait >:(
The reason Roy wasn't included in this is because I really don't see him being ready soon. Fifth round in the 2021 draft. If he does end up making it very fast somehow, he'll just wait in the AHL and develop a bit more. Better to overcook than undercook.
Finally, we have the goalies. It's really not difficult here. Allen plays out his contract, is let go, and then Primeau steps in.
All in all, I think our future, a few years out, will look like this:
Toffoli - Suzuki - Caufield
Anderson - Kotkaniemi - Gallagher
Drouin - Poehling - Hoffman
Mysak - Evans - Armia
They have an abundance of young talent on the left side of their defense: I could see at least one of those assets being traded to fill the void on the right. I also do not think Romanov is going to be playing on the right: he's just not as good there. With Romanov, Guhle, Harris, Norlinder, Struble and Fairbrother (6 young players who will most likely be NHL players), and only a few prospects on the right with NHL potential, something will have to give. That's just my opinion though, so please don't hate.
zk97 liked this.
And personally, I don't think Brook will make the NHL, I think he is more a top 2 AHL D.
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