What I expect:
Hyman - McDavid - Puljujarvi / Kassian
RNH - Draisaitl - Yamamoto
Foegele - McLeod - Kassian / Puljujarvi
Shore / UFA - Ryan - Archibald
Nurse - Barrie
Keith - Ceci
Russell / UFA - Bouchard
Smith
Koskinen
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What I would like to see:
Hyman - McDavid - Puljujarvi
Hyman can do all the dirty work for McDavid (dumping and chasing, forechecking, board work), and seems like an ideal fit on McDavid's left wing as a right handed shooter. McDavid and JP have established chemistry from last season, as Pulju can match Connor's speed and be the shooter on the line.
RNH - Draisaitl - Kassian
As give-and-go players, RNH and Draisaitl's chemistry is already well known. Kassian can be a bigger body than Yamamoto and used in more of a support role with legitimate offensive threats on his line. Zack's best season came when he was playing with McDavid & Draisaitl so this would really be a way to bring back that spark (albeit with RNH now), and hopefully he can ramp up the physicality/forechecking a bit with a crowd back. I can see Draisaitl and Kassian working very well at protecting the puck in the o-zone and RNH slipping into sweet spots to get scoring chances. Kassian is a bit poor defensively so I don't see him fitting well in a shutdown bottom-6 role, and worst case his numbers get pumped a bit and we trade him in the off-season if there's a cap crunch.
Benson - McLeod - Yamamoto
Benson, McLeod and Yamamoto can re-establish some chemistry from their time in Bakersfield. Benson & McLeod obviously had great numbers together last season, but I think using this trio in softer minutes can really help give us some secondary scoring and while also providing the kids some confidence that they're trusted by the coach to play together and be legitimate offensive threats. Holloway could be given a look here as well instead of Benson if he falters.
Foegele - Ryan - Archibald
This would be a hard minutes 4th line. I don't know much about Foegele's game but both Ryan and Archibald are good defensively; the former can take key draws in the d-zone and the latter can provide some of that physicality which Ryan lacks. I believe Foegele is plenty physical as well so this line could really work on grinding down the opponent and wearing them out. All three players have some talent in the offensive zone as well, so I could even see this line chipping in some goals.
Shore would be the first call up (barring any last minute signings) in case of injury.
Nurse - Barrie
Obviously this pairing has a bunch of experience playing together and Nurse really took a step forward last year (whether that has anything to do with playing with Barrie remains to be seen) so I would expect Tippett sticks to what is tried and true.
Keith - Bouchard
Keith is a great passer and actually does better with an offensive partner, despite many folks wanting to pair him with Ceci in a shutdown role. I also think Keith would be a great mentor for Bouchard and that he could learn a lot from him about proper stick work and gap control.
Shutdown UFA / Russell - Ceci
I'm really hoping we can sign another shutdown veteran so that Russell can be our 7th defenseman - ideally a bigger body that can break the cycle and work at clearing the crease. For better or worse Ceci will be used as our shutdown rightie, so hopefully we can find a partner that can manage a heavy, unglamorous workload and even support Ceci if he struggles with the increased TOI.
Russell or Lagesson would be the first call up if we sign one more LD. Lagesson might get lost due to waivers so that's something we need to consider as well.
Smith / Koskinen / Stalock
Just pick whoever plays better. I don't think Koskinen will be as bad as he was last year (remember it's also a contract year for him) and I don't think Smith will be as good as he was last year (it was basically a career year). Stalock could surprise and I hope Tippett doesn't write him off immediately.
TLDR:
Hyman - McDavid - Puljujarvi
RNH - Draisaitl - Kassian
Benson / Holloway - McLeod - Yamamoto
Foegele - Ryan - Archibald
Shore
Nurse - Barrie
Keith - Bouchard
Russell / UFA - Ceci
Lagesson
Smith / Koskinen / Stalock