At this point in training camp this is what I want the lineup to be on opening night:
Glencross,Stajan,Raymond
Gaudreu,Monohan,Hudler
Colborne,Backlund,Setoguchi
Ferland/Byron,Bouma,Jones
* sub in Mcgratten, Bollig for the tough games
(If backlund is injured to start the season my 3rd line would be Baertchi,Colborne,Setoguchi)
Giordano,Brodie
Smid,Wideman
Russel,Engelland
Hiller
Ramo
^ You really feel like Ferland will make it over Baertschi or Reinhart??
Bit of a headscratcher there. Byron has more experience than either Ferland/Baertschi/Reinhart combined but he needs to play with 100% effort and Reinhart/Baertschi have equal or better skillsets, as well as bigger bodies. If anything it'll be Baertschi/Byron or Baertschi/Reinhart.
Healthy opening night lines for me are:
1) Hudler - Backlund - Glencross
2A) Colborne - Monahan - Raymond
2B) Jones - Stajan - Setoguchi
4) Reinhart/Byron - Bouma - Wolf/McGrattan
Keeps the Colborne-Monahan chemistry intact, gives Backlund some grit and playmaking up front, Stajan can solidly anchor the third line defensively and provide some secondary scoring, and nice crash and bang fourth line options in Wolf and Reinhart.
Giordano - Brodie
Wideman - Engelland/Russell
Russell/Engelland - Smid
Pretty self-explanatory. Wish the defense was a little more mobile but it is what it is. Not feeling the play of Brookbank or Diaz, really, so not listed as extras.
Ramo
Hiller
Ramo gets the nod due to UFA 'show me' status and Hiller will platoon goaltending duties with 35-45 games each depending on performance/injuries.
Not including Gaudreau / Bennett because I feel like they will be with Adirondack/Kingston at some point regardless of their main camp stint. Trying to keep it to players we'll see regularly from November - April+.