Next years top 6:
Henrique - Zajac - Kovalchuk
Clowe - Elias - Ryder
A solid top 6 in my opinion. I still think Loktionov would be better suited to a 3rd line role for now, so the bottom 6 should shape up something like:
Zubrus - Loktionov - Bernier
Olesz - Josefson - Carter
Extras: Gionta, Tedenby
I think that team has the potential to be competitive offensively, it has a nice mixture of scoring and physicality; i expect to see Barch bought out or traded since he is clearly surplus to requirements at this point.
We just need to clean up the mess defensively, i would feel a lot happier if we could find a way to dump Salvador, even if it means retaining some salary or giving up a prospect. Our defence lacks standout names outside of Larsson, but hopefully he can put it all together this year and be the man on the blueline for us. Fayne and Greene give us a consistent middle pairing; i do however worry about a lack of production from the blueline yet again, if we could ship out one of the stay at home guys and re-sign Zidlicky or maybe Whitney i'd be a lot happier. Play them on the bottom pairing with Volchenkov and let the the top two pairings play the majority of ES minutes. Use Volchenkov on the PK and Zidlicky on the PP with Harrold rotating in when necessary.
Next years defence:
Tallinder - Larsson
Greene - Fayne
Volchenkov - Zidlicky/Whitney
Harrold
That is of course unless they want to give Gelinas/Urbom a shot, in which case just dump Salvador and give the spot to one of them.
