Solid 4 lines, leaves the option for still enough cap to sign another forward for depth, or bring a kid up to see if they can cut it for the 9 games allowed. (Boo, Lias, Gropp, Day, Graves, etc). I think Pionk is a nice piece to have up as the 8th defender, and knowing how AV does his lines it may be so, though obviously instead an extra Forward may be the more common sense way to go. Again still may sign a F, or just do as is on the extra roster spot until the trade deadline.
I do think we are a 2nd line C away from a Great, not solid, or stacked, but Great team. We just need that reliable face off winning punch of a 2nd line caliber C ( since a 1st Line C would cost multiple kids/picks and a current top 6 F).
Side Note - Next year with how the contracts of Nash, Hayes, Skej, Vessey, Miller, Grabner, and Holden, Puempel, backup G, all being up and in need of new deals, next year will truly be the year that a LOT of our system talent has to either sink or swim (aka move on), since we obviously won't be able to keep all the above listed. In a Perfect World, Nash comes back on a team friendly 3m/1yr deal, Hayes we keep him if he shows his worth but I do see it hard at the $ he will demand, and see us going after a top line C instead in a trade for picks and a prospect or two. Skej I would definitely like to see back, but if he plays as I expect it's going to cost a hefty sum, probably a 4.5m/3-5yr contract. With us still 'anchored' by Staal's contract that will be rough, but doable. Vessey imo is a head shaker, he looks good, he looks bad, he looks young, we resign him to a bridge deal and roll the dice, 3m/2yr. Miller, hopefully His bridge deal doesn't burn us and we can get him back at a reasonable price, again it will cost a pretty penny. Grabner can go either way as far as most likely being the last to eat.. depends on his play this year and if good, how much that will cost us we probably won't be able to pay, along with his age and our younger players makes it difficult to justify, a par or sub par year tho, resigning him would be much easier for a mid level 3ishm/3yr contract. Though he may be the sacrificial lamb if we want to keep the aforementioned players And also add a top notch C, again Staal's contract impacting Hard here... Keeping Skej though at the cost of Grab is fine by me, along with a younger core of Miller, Hayes, Vessey, and possibly Puempel, Nash is more likely avail to a team friendly 1 yr con, than having to pay Grab for 3 or 4 yrs. And that still leaves a backup G, what kid replaces Holden on D, and also how much a top 1/2 line C will cost in $ and the trade itself.
Still though... I rather have these problems the Rangers have, being in a better position team wise than 2/3s the League works for me personally.
Thanks for any Comments guys, GO Rangers!