I hope Norris can get and stay healthy enough to play a full season at a high level. I suspect he might not.
I don't see Ostapchuk as a 3rd line C at this time; he might replace Kastelic in a season or two.
Katchouk looks like a decent 4th liner, nothing more.
I think we need to acquire another skilled C to become a top 8 team that can compete for the SC. Would be great to get Celebrini as the #1 pick in the draft. Getting a top RD like Levshunov would be very good too.
I agree we also need a big tough physical RD to play on the 1st or 2nd pair.
I think if we could run a D core like the following we would be much better at ES:
Chabot - new big RD
Chychrun - Brannstrom
Sanderson - Zub
Kleven might be ready next season to become 3rd pair LD which could allow one of the 3 skilled LD above to switch to RD (replacing Brannstrom or moving him to 7D). Sanderson might be the guy because he appears to be our best D going forward, is young and likely would be the most likely to make a successful switch to RD.
With this latest winning streak they are once again dropping the odds of winning the lottery & being in a postion to draft in the top 5 unfortunately. My guess is that it's most likely they draft in the 5th to 7th range & while there are still a number of good players in that range IMO they should draft for need. They don't need a left shot D they have enough good left shot D with Donovan coming & they don't need smallish defencemen, they tried that & it's not working & need to change it up. What they do need is a big, mobile right shot D & those are always in demand & there might be just one left when it comes time for them to draft with top pairing potential, Carter Yakemchuk RD. IMO he checks all the boxes they need, mobile, big, strong, tough, good reach, good passer, good pt producer, big shot & can play on the PP or PK. He already has NHL size & will need to improve the defensive side of the game to be NHL ready.
IMO Hamonic might get bought out & I don't see a path forward for Brannstrom given they need to change the dynamic of their defence core & he could likely be a casualty to change that. My guess is that they find a vet RD to come in for a yr or two before they have a prospect to replace them. I see three Ott prospects making the team next season, Sogaard to replace Forsberg who I think they try to move this summer. Kleven who IMO is ready to replace Brannstrom on the roster & Ostapchuk at LW to replace Kubalik who they won't re-sign. That leaves the need to sign a top 4 RD to play with Chabot or Chychrun whoever they decide to keep & if they move one of those guys that should bring in either a top six or 9 forward or NHL goalie with #1 potential. Personally I like Ullmark out of Boston a legitimate #1 NHLgoalie, but they would have to move Korpisalo to afford Ullmark.
If Norris gets hurt again, they can easily move Stutzle back to centre & move Greig or Joseph up into the top six or callup Jarventie LW or Crookshank LW as a replacement player. Or if they trade Chychrun maybe they can get a decent good young forward to play on the 3rd line LW who can move up when there is an injury. I think Chartier C could also get re-signed & start in Belleville & get called up when needed. I saw this after writing this post.
MSN
Tkachuk - Norris - Batherson
Stutzle - Pinto - Giroux
UFA VET LW - Greig - Joseph - they could use a playmaking/goal scoring LW/RW who can also produce pts
Katchouk - Kastelic - Kelly/MacEwan - Katchouk is earning another contract & they need Kastelic's physical play & kelly's hustle
Sanderson - Zub
Chabot -
UFA VET RD (Shattenkirk)
Kleven - JBD/Guennette
Korpisalo -
Sogaard
