Right now, as it stand for next year considering Habs' payroll, assuming the RFA are resign
Slafkovsky - Suzuki - Caufield
Hoffman - Dach - Anderson
Pitlick - Dvorak - Gallagher
Pezzetta - Evans - Armia
Matheson - Edmundson
Guhle - Savard
Xhekaj - Harris
Kovacevic - Barron
Wideman
Allen
Montembeault
This is a proplem in itself.
Have to make room to play the bunch of kids that are going to start to push next year.
Pitlick was sent down this year, and he can be sent down again. His cap hit is zero if buried.
Pezzetta, even if kept, is an extra forward.
Assuming Gallagher and Armia are both healthy and in the lineup, there is still room for two more starting forwards - Farrell and one other, say RHP. Also Armia and Hoffman could sit in favour of a better player, if one emerges.
And finally, it is not realistic to expect zero injuries. Ylonen could easily play most of the season. Or Roy might surprise and make the team. Heineman more likely starts in Laval.
On defence, you sit or demote Wideman.
Barron stays with the club, competing with Harris and Kovacevic when there are no injuries. Mailloux starts in Laval.
At the TDL, Hoffman and Edmundson are traded, opening up two more spots for youth.