Alzner and Niskanen need to be broken up and spread out on different pairings. Unless we can acquire a good two way top LD (which seems impossible given cap/resources/everything) we need to roll with Orlov in the top 4 and hope he takes another step forward. He was very impressive last year given that he missed a year of development and if put into a top 4 role to succeed there's a good chance he takes the same step Voynov took the year the Kings won their first cup.
Pairings should be:
Alzner-Carlson (Suter-Weber lite, feed them 25 minutes a game)
Orlov-Niskanen (Orlov rushes the puck, Niskanen is a veteran who covers/supports with good outlet passes/mentors Orlov. Having 2 defensive guys in Alzner and Niskanen together isn't the best use of resources given what we have)
Orpik-Schmidt - use them sparingly with good matchups, have Orpik be #1 on PK, have Schmidt cover for Orpik with his speed and Orpik take the pressure off Schmidt with physicality. Schmidt is kinda like Hunwick/Tallinder - fast skating nonphysical DFD who can be effective in the right supporting role but is not someone you should count on for reliable offense or one on one matchups.
One thing I would love to see which is quasi realistic (maybe) is dumping Winnik and Chorney signing both Ehrhoff and Seidenberg to bargain basement deals, maybe they like the chance to play as a pairing for a contender. Then roll with
Alzner/Niskanen/Orlov/Orpik/Carlson top 4
Seidenberg-Ehrhoff bottom pairing
I could see those 2 have insane chemistry and playing as a legit 2nd pairing when together, more than the sum of their parts. Kind of how Daley and Dumolin played way above their pay grade when together for the Pens. Their games match up well (Ehrhoff fast skater who can be physical, Seidenberg physical stay at home guy with big shot and good outlet pass, both German, always thought they were tailor made for each other, no idea why no team tried them both together)