The biggest line up issue right now is Loui Eriksson.
Contract aside, depth (Beagle) down the middle won't hurt us and Gaudette could probably use some time in the AHL. Toughness and speed (Roussel) on the wing is also useful. But Eriksson just occupies a top 6 roster spot and really bring nothing to the table. He's good defensively, but not Selke good. He has size but plays small. He can PK, but so can every bottom 6 forward in the NHL. He used to be a good net front presence but no longer has the quick hands and can't score from intermediate distances. These are the qualities of a 3rd or 4th line winger who fights to get into the line up on some nights.
The worst thing about Eriksson however is that his middling presence on the roster almost assures that we lose Goldobin to either a typically bad Benning trade or to waivers.
Roussel is not the real threat to Goldobin, they play such different roles. I also don't see where there is room for both Leipsic and Goldobin on the LW side. Both play a similar game and both are waiver eligible. Goldobin is 2 years younger and has better NHL numbers. Leipsic however is a better 2-way player and that will likely win him the roster spot. Even in limited late season games, Green trusted Leipsic far more than Goldobin.
There is a similar situation with Gagner and Granlund. Gagner is 3 years older and has put up multiple 40+ point seasons. Granlund is better defensively and can play C or either wing but is on a 1 year "show me" contract where Gagner has 2 years remaining at $3M. Sure Gaudette is in the picture here too, and if he has an outstanding training camp he will put some pressure on the C position. But at this point, he can be assigned to Utica without waivers.
Then there is the defense. Short of a trade (which Benning will lose), there is virtually no chance that Hughes and Juolevi both make the team. Hutton and Del Zotto are both in the way and it will be hard to get a decent return in a trade after the seasons they had and with everyone knowing that at least one of them needs to be moved. At this point, it might just be best for Hughes to return to Michigan. This will provide some space for Juolevi to crack the line up and for Hutton, Del Zotto, Pouliot and Stecher to try to re-establish the pecking order.
