So many disappointing performances this series. Newhook couldn't piss a drop, Girard is too slow/small/weak to be effective in a tight checking series, JJ and EJ simply aren't NHL calibre players anymore. Neither is Meyers. Compher, some team will way overpay for him. He had a whole year and playoffs to prove himself as a 2C, mission unaccomplished. Roster right now looks like this I'd assume:
X - Mackinnon - Rantanen
Landeskog - X - X (Nichuskin but who knows his status)
Lehkonen - X - LOC
X - X - X
Makar - Toews
Byram - Manson
X - X
Goalies
12.5 mil in Cap Space -
Should've moved Newhook at the deadline, guessing he has low value so might as well hang onto him for now. He'll be 3C, hopefully he takes a big jump, I'm skeptical. 2 years 2 mil.
3rd line LW, I'd sign someone like Gustav Nyquist, he drives play and was one of the Wild's best players these playoffs. Can play up in the lineup and help PP2. 1 year 3.5 mil
I'd also sign another forward for depth. After the injuries and everything this season, its easy to see we need more depth. Some cheap options would be:
Athanasiou, Drouin, Sheary
4th line will be some combination of Meyers/LOC/insert another 4th liner. At 4C, I'd try to re-sign Eller, but Bjugstad wouldn't be a bad pickup either. Both would be around 2 mil im assuming.
So with 2ish mil in cap space the lineup would be:
Landeskog - Mackinnon - Rantanen
Lehkonen - X - Nichuskin
Nyquist - Newhook - Athanasiou
Meyers - Eller/Bjugstad - LOC
Toews - Makar
Byram - Manson
Girard - X
At this point, you could ride with Newhook as 2C and see how it goes. I would trade one of Girard or Byram for a 2C. Probably Girard for me. Both would hurt, but Girard is limited in the playoffs, and Byram taking another step would make him redundant on the 3rd pair. Girard + 2023 1st could get you a 2C. Scheifele or Lindholm would be a dream scenario, not sure if those teams would move on from them but who knows. Some names will pop up and be available. Toss in Newhook if you need to get it done. Can't waste prime 8/29/96 years. Nuke might be done, take his 6 mil and sign another depth F/D, I still like this roster.
So my final lineup would be:
Landeskog - Mackinnon - Rantanen
Lehkonen - Scheifele - Nichuskin
Nyquist - Newhook - Athanasiou
Meyers - Eller/Bjugstad - LOC
Toews - Makar
Byram - Manson
X - X
Goalies