Considering how Cassidy liked to load up his top line in Boston:
Marchy Eichel Stone
Stephenson Karlsson Smith
Carrier Roy Patrick*
_____ Holden Kolesar
Leschyshyn
Rondbjerg/Cotter
Martinez Petro
McNabb Teddy
Hague Whitecloud
Hutton
*assuming he's still in the plans and healthy
I really hope this doesn't mean they're going to rush Brisson or stick him on the 4th line. Dorofeyev and Manninen should get a long look in camp.
This is what I have:
Marchessault $5,0 - Karlsson $5,9 - Smith $5,0
Manninen $0,9 - Eichel $10,0 - Stone $9,5
Cotter $0,76 - Stephenson $2,75 - Roy $2,4
Carrier $1,4 - Howden $1,5 - Kolesar $1,125
+ Amadio $0,763, Rondbjerg $0,767
Martinez $5,25 - Pietrangelo $8,8
McNabb $2,85 - Theodore $5,2
Hague $1,8 - Whitecloud $2,75
Hutton $0,85
Lehner $5,0
Brossoit $2,325
= $82,59
Cut little bit salary from Manninen's, Roy's, Hague's and Kolesar's contract predictions (or replace Brossoit with Thompson) and we are under the cap $82,5M with 14+7+2 roster. That way we can also keep Cotter and Rondbjerg up and don't risk losing them in the waivers because they are two best youngsters at the moment when it comes to NHL readiness. I am confident Cotter could be productive guy in the third line if he just gets the chance because he is the best young player to create his own scoring chance thanks to his skating and hands and scored couple of beautiful solo goals in the AHL in the spring.
Patrick is in LTIR in this scenario because I doubt he plays regularly. It is also possible to move Stephenson for LW2 like in your scenario and put Manninen to third line with Roy and Amadio when Cotter and Rondbjerg would be extra forwards. And yes, I believe Manninen will be a lock TOP9 forward. There is no doubt about that. I also believe he will replace production from Dadonov. Brisson and Dorofeyev will begin season in the AHL because they are not yet ready to play there full-time. Situation can be different when playoffs begin.