Magic Man
Registered User
One problem is that Brown won't be as effective in a 4th line role than someone like Hyman (I'll leave Sosh out because he plays opposite wing anyways). Brown's greatest effectiveness comes out of a good top 6 or at the very least 3rd line role. I think he's ready for it, but Marner is too and they are kind of fighting for only one spot. Even moving a veteran, unless it's Komarov which has like a 1% chance of happening, won't really solve the problem unless you want Komarov back on the LW playing down in the lineup instead of with Kadri (which is where we should put him).
I see room in the top-9 for Brown. I don't think Marner is in a showdown over one spot against Brown either.
Hyman is probably a better fit on the 4th line. But, I think they both crack the team.
Soshnikov has some pretty legit upside and he hasn't even touched on it at the AHL level yet. For a franchise that would like to over ripen prospects, he's being rushed if he starts this season in the NHL. He's a prime candidate to go down to the AHL, light it up and be back up after the Michalek's/Bozak's move on at the deadline. Hopefully, by that time he's up for good.