I know it caught a lot of flak but I like the Mikheyev deal, I think he plays comparatively to Hyman and came in cheaper, I'm interested in how Kuzmenko slots in, I think they promised top 6 minutes but he also needs to earn it, don't want a Gusev situation

Rathbone definitely makes the team over Burroughs

Gotta imagine Kuzmenko and Podkolzin play on a line given their history of being teammates in the KHL.

I love these lines. The second line was a beast analytically last season. First line has high potential as well. I would maybe swap kuzmenko and mikheyev just cuz it'll help kuzmenko reach his potential.

I do think Rathbone makes 3LD, and then dermott plays 3RD. Burroughs will make the team cuz he played very well but will be scratched unless they're playing a big team.

Like the write-up! I think it’s a good summary and prediction. The blue line will be the Achilles heal for this team, but I think adding Mikheyev and Lazar should help on the PK and improve 5v5 team defence. If Rathbone can successfully make the jump and be relied on then they’ve really got something.

For lines I like Miller-Petey-Horvat down the middle for sure (until Miller is traded of course).

I’d like to see Miller’s line be an ‘all-purpose’ unit that takes draws all over the ice:
Pod - Miller - Boeser (good energy and scoring threat)

Peter’s line should get a ton of O-zone starts:
Kuz - Petey - Hogs (high skill, creative, good shots, hopefully develop good chemistry)

Horvat’s line should be the matchup unit taking a lot of the D-zone starts:
Mikheyev - Horvat - Garland (solid defending/possession/face-offs with scoring opportunities)

You can flip some of these wingers around a bit (and throw in Pearson if someone stumbles) but the centers’ roles should look something like that IMO.