What I would do (assuming there are no real roster moves before the season starts, like we all believe):
Tkachuk - White - Batherson
Pageau - Brown - Ryan
Balcers - Tierney - Gibbons
Paul - Smith - Boedker
Chabot - Jaros
Brannstrom - Demelo
Wolanin - Ceci
Borowiecki
* The first line has the potential to be dynamic, and Batherson is the closest skillset we have to Stone. We need one line that can (hopefully) consistently create offense
* Insulate Brown with Pageau because of his defensive awareness, motor, and ability to step in to take faceoffs. Hope Ryan can stay on his feet and shoot still.
* Balcers and Tierney might be able to form a secondary scoring duo, and Gibbons showed some offensive ability.
* 4th line is filler
* Chabot and Jaros, hope these guys can be a pairing for the next 5 years.
* Demelo can be a safe, calming influence on Brannstrom.
* Put Ceci with someone who can carry and move the puck, hope that helps. If Ceci is traded, move Wolanin to the right and plug in Boro/Lajoie on the left side.
Goals: See development from Tkachuk, White, Batherson, Brown, Chabot and Brannstrom and have positive plays when they're on the ice. Play poorly enough when they're not on the ice to secure a top 3 pick and draft Lafreniere/Byfield. I'd start Veronneau, Formenton, Norris, etc all in the AHL, and come midseason, hopefully we can start moving out guys like Boedker, Smith and Tierney to make room.