Option A
Hyman -- Matthews -- Nylander = better offensively
Option B
Hyman -- Matthews -- Brown = better defensively.
Babcock loves Brownie and the signing because he is the Swiss army knife in the coaches toolbox allowing him to build his lines dependent on if he is at home or on the road, has last change or not, or leading and protecting a lead or trailing and trying to generate more offense.
Brown also plays PP, PK and ES and can be used up and down the line-up in any role the coach asks of him which makes him a coaches dream.
Again all this is subject to change. People focus too much on Hyman with Matthews or Nylander wing vs. center.
The team is putting together it's 23 man roster for the future. Identifying all the pieces that are required to get you through 82 games, 4 playoff series and a Cup.
That takes skill, speed, offense, defense, PP and PK, physical/greasy play etc.
Kadri 5 more years
Brown 3 years
Hyman 4 years
Martin 3 years
Nylander,Marner,Matthews to follow
Rielly 5 more years
Zaitsev 7 years
Andersen 4 more years
That will soon be 10 players locked in.
I count Marleau as a mentor but locked in 3 years. It's quite possible he joins a run.
We still need another big D locked in.
The future of JVR/Bozak/Komarov remain to be seen.