so something like
Nino-Aho-Willy
Svech-Staal-TT
Foegs-Necas-Martinook
___-McKegg-Sakku
Hope that Necas is able to rise up to 2C by the playoffs to play alongside Svech and TT? That could be a potent lineup
I just don't see a scenario where Lucas Wallmark (unless he's moved; more on that in a minute) isn't either the 3C or 4C. McKegg is likely walking into free agency. Assuming the top 6 above, in some combination is accurate, then there's really only a #12 and #13 forward slot available (assuming Necas continues his progression). Currently Maenalanen, McGinn, Foegele, Martinook (in truth, he's a bottom 6 tweener) and some random Checkers would battle it out for that slot. As much as I'm a big Foegele fan, right now, he's a 3rd line/4th line tweener, too, who's punching above his weight class in the playoffs. Now he's got the skill and the drive to maybe be a middle sixer, but until he shows more consistency, I think you pencil him in the bottom 6 or even the 4th line. That's not a bad thing; if we had a good enough bottom line that we could comfortably give them 9 or 10 minutes a game, that would be a good thing and a good problem to have.
I see Rod starting young Martin on the 3rd line much as he did w/Svech. I also firmly believe he'll be on the RW. He'll need somebody to mentor him. Maybe Wallmark could be there, but he's still learning as well. However if that is the case, then I think you've got a line combination of:
Nino/Svech - Aho - TT/Willy
Nino/Svech - Staal - TT/Willy
Foegele/Trade/UFA - Wallmark - Necas
Foegele/McGinn/Checker - Martinook - Saku/Checker
There aren't many UFAs that I'd be particularly thrilled about chasing, but finding a 3rd line scoring option who can provide some of that additional mentorship for Necas makes sense to me.
All of this is to say, that maybe, just maybe, heart and soul guys like McGinn and "up and comers" like Wallmark, might prove to be better assets in trade than actual players for the Canes. Like most fans, I love me some Brock McGinn. I have a bit of a man crush on Lucas Wallmark too. But if I'm the GM looking to move moderately valuable assets with higher value assets, then Wallmark and/or McGinn fit the bill as a lesser piece in a bigger trade, Wallmark in particular (his 1-way salary next season is $675,000).
While a defenseman like TVR or Faulk, might not bring back the forward asset we're looking for, packaging them with Wallmark and 2nd round pick might do the job. And there still would likely be some risk as this is something of a 4 quarters for a dollar type of deal.
In the end, the question is do we believe that we have the assets on board (here and/or in Charlotte) to take the next step, or do we need to tweak the mix again next Summer. From the combos above, there are some decisions to be made and a fan favorite or two could be on the move.