Any word on whether Beecher or Caufield will commit next year? It seems to me like the Hounds could use a couple of top 6 wingers, a top 9 center, and a backup goalie next year (since I anticipate Johnson will be dealt). Beecher and Caufield could at least fill the need for a top 6 winger and a top 9 center. Getting another top 6 winger, especially since SSM would have an open OA spot after trading Johnson, would not be extremely difficult.
Otherwise, these are some predictions that you can take with a grain of salt:
- Sign Pucek and hope Sandin comes back in this scenario.
- Trade Johnson to a team like OS. Could also be Ottawa, Flint or Windsor (assuming they trade DiPietro), but trading him would be very beneficial to recouping some assets and opening up an OA spot which is important for the next trade. SSM can replace him internally after a competition in training camp (I am going to say Ryan McNair only because I have no idea who is the best option and he's the oldest), or could easily acquire someone for cheap later on in the year.
- Trading Howdeshell + Jacklin + picks to Sudbury for the Pilon twins + Levin. A pretty sizable move with Jacklin and the twins head to their hometown teams and SSM giving a very talented young player a fresh start. Sudbury has a few young LW's they'd like to give a shot, so I would think they are willing to give up either MacAuley Carson or David Levin for the right price. Levin brings the speed SSM wants, so he would be a better fit. SSM may have to give up a couple of 2nd's in this trade, all things considered they are able to get a lot done without giving up significant assets.
- Sign Kalvyn Watson or Dominic Mufarreh. Either can effectively replace Jacklin next year. Otherwise, they could look to the trade market. There are some decent players who could make themselves available this year who can fill a 3rd or 4th line role.
- Acquire Maxim Grondin from Saginaw. He's a big bodied center with some speed who is only an 00'. He could play up and down the lineup which should allow Kerins to develop at his own pace, and he is someone who could stick around for 2 or 3 years. Saginaw has a lot of talented young centers they are going to try and fit into the lineup, so for a good pick package, they'd probably be willing to sell him.
After all of that, this would be the lineup you ice next year:
Forwards
LW David Levin - C Morgan Frost - RW Ryan Roth
LW Darian Pilon - C Barrett Hayton - RW Drake Pilon
LW Joseph Carroll - C Maxim Grondin - RW Cole MacKay
LW Roman Pucek - C Rory Kerins - RW Dominic Mufarreh
LW Zackary Trott - C Tye Kartye - RW Kalvyn Watson
Defensemen
LD Rasmus Sandin - RD Mac Hollowell
LD Anthony DeMeo - RD Jacob LeGuerrier
LD Ryan O'Rourke - RD Robert Calisti
LD Holden Wale - RD Phil Caron
Goalies
G Matt Villalta - G Ryan McNair
Additions: LW Darian Pilon (from Sudbury), RW Drake Pilon (from Sudbury), LW David Levin (from Sudbury), C Maxim Grondin (from Saginaw), LW Roman Pucek (CHL Import Draft Signing), RW Kalvyn Watson (OHL Draft Signing), RW Dominic Mufarreh (OHL Draft Signing), G Ryan McNair (OHL U18 Draft Signing), Picks (from OS)
Subtractions: LW Keeghan Howdeshell (to Sudbury), RW Brett Jacklin (to Sudbury), G Tyler Johnson (to OS), Picks (to Sudbury + Saginaw).