Concerning the video games subject, for example, I have a strong feeling that Andre Petersson was addicted and seriously, this guy had too much talent to not make the NHL. There was something that held him back.
I have read some posts making it seem like it was not that big of a deal. Well, in the real world it has been a huge problem for a while now, and also in sports. Welcome to 2018 where technology takes a lot of place and can become a major obstacle to some people
Let's not be overly dramatic, we have exactly the same players in the top six except that we have a couple of players in different positions. Lots of teams have stacked their top line with their best players although I doubt any team does it for extended periods of time. And Ryan, Dzingel & Brassard had a pretty good run together last yr for a while, Pageau could easily replace Brassard with those two.
I also prefer to spread out the wealth but it isn't out of the realm of possibility that at any time they stack the top line whether in a game or over an extended period of time. John Paddock did it with Heatley, Spezza & Alfredsson & they went on one of the greatest scoring runs in Senator history, so it's not unheard of. I will concede that GB is more of a spread the wealth kind of coach though & likely will try & create three scoring lines if possible.
However, as you say, it is too early to predict any lineups since we have no idea what will happen with Gaborik, Burrows or Paajarvi & Wideman for that matter. If we include the RFAs who were in Ottawa to finish the yr as potentially being on the team next season Ottawa should have about 20 players under contract to start the season. Depending on what happens there may not be that much room for prospects to start the yr. Either way it will certainly be interesting to see what happens this off season if PD is able to change fans perception of this team for next season & whether they are working towards making the playoffs or rebuilding.
Yes we have the same players in the top-6 but the only way (unless Brown, 4th OA pick, etc) to have 2 lines contributing would be to have Stone on the 2nd line. Let Hoffman and Duchene be that dynamic duo, Dzingel also has a lot of speed and proved some offensive capabilities so that would make a good line. Dzingel has to be a complimentary piece to the top-6, he will not carry a line with Ryan and Pageau.
Like I said, we have seen good chemistry between Pageau and Stone and Pageau and Ryan before. Playing Pageau with those 2 could be the only way to make having Pageau in the Top-6 acceptable (of course, short term). Like I also said, of course Ryan and Stone have to stay healthy, which would be the challenge here. That line would also be a good matchup vs other teams top-lines, leaving a bit more opportunity to the Duchene line.
The problem is your bottom-6 that looks really bad
Smith - White - Pyatt : Pyatt is a 4th liner, White is a rookie, Smith needs to play with better players if you want him to be useful. But I think they trade him anyway, to cut salary (might be at the deadline because his price could go up before the playoffs and the youngsters would have more time to adapt to the NHL)
McCormick - Paul - Burrows : McCormick is a 13th forward, Paul is a rookie, Burrows is on his last year in the NHL, won't hurt you on the 4th line but those 3 together wouldn't score and wouldn't be that great defensively. They might try to shed Burrows salary too, we'll see
But you've seen my guess? Unfortunately not much better than yours, only bumped Chlapik to the 3rd line and Pyatt to the 4th, which could be a major improvement depending on White and Chlapik work together. Anyway, we'll see, impossible to predict right now
