I think we have 9 automatic PP players:
Barzal
Lee
Nelson
Eberle
JGP
Bailey
Dobson
Pulock
Leddy
Then you have Beau and Wally.
Personally, I want a bumper option on both PP units because I think that's our biggest weakness. Our usual PP is set up between the point and the half wall but it often stalls out when they protect the cross ice pass to the other half wall. When our 1st unit doesn't work well, this is what happens: Dobson and Barzal play catch and when Barzy has the puck, they block the cross ice pass to Pulock. When Dobson has the puck they shade to Pulock and give him the pass to Barzy. If Lee is under the goal line, the D just collapses and prevents any cross ice pass and Lee is forced to give it back to Barzal.
Given our lack of shooters, I want the bumper to give us more quick passing opportunities. Barzy can hit the bumper who can give it back to Dobson for a shot with space or a quick pass to Pulock to open up his shot because they need to collapse on the bumper. Or, the bumper gives it to someone under the goal line to Lee for a quick pass to Pulock or if the lane opens up, up top to Dobson. Or Barzy passes it under the goal line to Lee for a quick pass to the bumper in the slot.
It just creates a whole host of options instead of perimeter passing and shots with screens. JGP is the best bumper we have and I want to see him there. It would be great if someone like Eberle could emerge as a bumper. He has the offensive instincts I just don't know if he can take the abuse. Then the two units can mirror each other.
Barzy/Bailey on the half wall as our best passers
Dobson/Leddy at the point as our main defenseman puck handlers (one's a lot better than the other lol)
Lee/Nelson the down low guys for screens, tips, and plays under the goal line
JGP/Eberle as the bumper or can peel off to give Bailey/Barzal another option down low if Nelson/Lee are in front of the net
Pulock and either Beau/Wally as the shot on the other half wall
The other option for unit 2 is Nelson at the bumper. He's the better player for it but the issue is he's a bigger net front presence. Then I think you need Wally in front of the net because neither Eberle or Beau can do that. That would put Eberle or Beau on the other half wall, hence the possibility that Beau is the odd man out.