I am pretty excited about Brown in particular. I figure he is in ottawa for sure next year. It will be interedting to what happens if Duchene signs
Duchene
In no order
White
Brown
Tierney
Pageau
Smith
Chaplik
All of whom are looking like nhl players
Assuming they'd all be back (and I guess if Duchene is back, Stone would be too), that would be my Center line :
Dzingel-
Duchene-Stone
Ryan-
Brown-Batherson
Tkachuk-
Tierney-White
Balcers-
Pageau-Chlapik
If the big 3 is back, then Smith and Boedker should be traded. Smith is on pace for 37 pts and only has 2 years left at 3.25. Boedker is on pace for 45 pts and has only 1 year left at 4.0 (3.0 salary)
Formenton and Norris and Crookshank continue to develop even if they show that they are close to ready
Notice how my first line is our best offensive players this year, and then each other line is a vet and 2 young forwards. That forward group could be really really good. So if a real NHL coaching staff comes in and they solidify defense/goaltending, I could see this team sniffing the playoffs.
IMO, they should use Dzingel, Ceci, Boedker, Smith, Paajarvi and maybe even Anderson to get some picks and get a "still young" D-man with experience but who could assume Ceci's responsibilities and do better. A team who has 2 very good RDs and even more depth (like Carolina)
Ex : Dzingel + Ceci for Hamilton
Canes would add a top-6 forward and they'd still have :
Slavin-Faulk
Fleury/Bean-Pesce
De Haan-Ceci
Van Riemsdyk
Even Adam Fox is RD and is completing his 3rd NCAA year (might turn pro soon)