Honestly I think the Oil are going to push a kid-movement next year. I can see Benson, McLeod, and Marody all getting long looks, plus Holloway joining later in the year.
Do I expect all of them to stick? No, but they've earned a shot to make the team out of camp.
I can see the start of the season looking something like this...
_____-McDavid-Pulju
RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Benson-McLeod-Marody
Kassian-Khaira-Archibald
Holland will have some of the extra capspace to go after a 1 year rental for the top 6 (though the market is fairly baren), but I think Holloway will get that spot before then end of the year. Thus you might just see Kassian or Turris there as a placeholder if one of them can finish this year strongly.
End of next season I can see something like...
RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Holloway-McDavid-Pulju
Benson-McLeod-Archibald/Kassian
_____-Khaira-Archibald/Kassian
THere would be VERY cool to have a rookie line intact- they know each other extremly well since AHL.
But I think TIppet is just to scared to try that of.
ANd ofC it will not work, NHL is a diffrent level than AHL.
But it is worth trying.
Marody is a player that either will hti big, or miss totally.
I have my doubts about Benson, He has it all - on AHL level.
MacLeod. I think he has the biggest chance to stick as a 3 -4th line center.
I have a hard time to see a rookie start in the top 6, but if Nuge walks (which is not impossible. I could really see it they way the neogations is going.....)
I want to resign Larsson and Nuge, I think that is a good strategy. Larsson has found a partner in Lagesson and got new life, and Holland likes his experienced defenders.
Barrie? Well, I dont care, if he chosed Oilers for free, we cant really demand any more.
I would even like Shore to be resigned, when his line is doing great for what they are.
Players Hollnad like to add, I dont see Tatar. But I could see one more try on Hall and Hoffman.