I wouldn't put two rookies with Backes, I haven't got another answer right now and I like DeBrusk on the third line until he becomes more consistent. Heinen has been proving me wrong, I think they have too many players like him but he has been ok in the games he has played. Not sure if he was good or the fact the team was a dumpster fire.
Austin Czarnik is everything I hate about the NHL today, a AHL/NHL tweener with no size, grit, guts, hitting skill or intimidation factor. It's nice that he is fast but he brings nothing else to the table at the NHL level. He will become the next koklachev, many of the small, speed and skill over size and toughness crowd will love him but the game has not changed that much that he brings anything of value to a fourth line, or a third line, if he had the aforementioned skill he would be a top 6 player, he isn't and I doubt at his age and size ever will be.
If they go with Cehlarik on the second line he needs to produce, some may have felt he "fit" with Krecji and Pastrnak last year but 2 assists in 11 games is not production you can have from a top six player and expect to win. If you are looking for that level of production Ryan White can contribute it.
Vatrano has been ok and I like Kuraly but would really like a traditional fourth line RW with them.
The third D pair just needs to be solid, for all the grief McQuaid takes the silence regarding Brandon Carlos play since the halfway point of last year has been stunning. I said at the time I move him for Landeskog, Carlo may never reach the potential he showed in the first 40 games last year, Landeskog is a legitimate top 6 forward who could slot in on the right of Bergeron or left of Krecji.
I still say, from what I have seen so far this year, they overvalued their prospects and are going to be paying for it for years to come, turning down trades and making bad free agent signings isn't going to make them contenders again anytime soon. Welcome to the mid 90's again, Ted Donato and Steve Hienze will lead us to glory.
