After looking at prospects in training camp and first pre season game against NJD, I think our Opening Night lineup should look like this.
We'll probably see 4 duos: Suzuki/Caufield, Dvorak/Anderson, Monahan/Dach and Evans/Armia.
Gallagher, Dadonov, Drouin and Hoffman will probably switch lines from game to game. Pitlick and Pezzetta will be 13th and 14th forwards.
Dach is bad in the faceoff circle. He plays really good and brings grit, but as of right now, he can't take that 2nd C spot over Dvorak. He needs to work on that before he gets more minutes at 5vs5. I think he starts on RW with Monahan who will take DZ faceoffs and, slowly, Dach will get the chance to move to C after he has improved.
Slaf is not ready yet. He's good, but he needs to develop in Laval for at least 40-50 games. He's too heavy, he doesn't have yet that explosion to keep competing at pro level. Therefore, sending him to Laval will be the better scenario for him. Plus, we don't burn his first year since his contrat will slide.
Beck and Mesar have plenty of potential, they have been really good. Beck will return to Mississauga, but I think he'll get an entry level contract really soon. He's an absolute steal at 2nd round. As for Mesar, he should go to Laval and play with Slaf.
At Defense, anything can happen with Edmunson's injury.
Guhle has been really solid and should start with MTL. He's ready.
Harris has been good. He hasn't been spectacular, but he keeps his game simple, enough to earn a spot.
Arber Xhekaj (pronounce Jack Eye) has been really impressive. Big, strong, mobile. I don't thing he'll get past Guhle and Harris, but he should get some time with MTL during the season when injuries happen.
My deception is Barron. He's had a bad camp. He should start with MTL due to Edmunson's injury, but he could also spend some time in Laval and be replaced by Schueneman. Hard to tell.
In nets, well it's gonna be Allen and Montembeault.
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Guhle,
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