I believe Trotz knows what he's doing. I hope a string of good games and new found chemistry of the 1st line will make it easier to shift some players and maybe putting Brouwer on the 3rd will light some fire under him and make his hits hurt more. He is certainly can grind some more in a more nastier way.
Another problem I see is his next contract. If he's getting the raise I guess he will become next Laich. He isn't young. So I hope GMs BT & BM will identify that, trade him (in an asset management program they declared) and sign Ward for several seasons more.
Down the road we have right handed Barber (right?), Latta, Brown, Chuk.
And we can also trade for Semin anytime!