Puju should just start developing chemistry with McDavid now. They're going to be playing together for the following 6 years.
First off, a disclaimer. This is not directed at you, I am just using your post as an example.
There are two things that I believe many people overlook or don't understand about the nhl. Cap management, and for lack of a better way to explain it, two way play.
It's very unfortunate for the game but it's just a painful truth. You can not think of players, line combinations, or the team without factoring how it effects the cap. We live in a cap world.
The numbers that I have seen tossed around easily suggest JP would be great with McDavid. JPs play on the ice at 19 from my eye test is already as good or better than Rattie or many XXX bargain bin wingers. If JP played with McDavid and got premium PP time I have little doubt he would succeed in getting a bunch of points.
However getting a bunch of points does not equate to winning. At its simplest most basic level each player/the team has to get more goals than they give up. Obviously it's 100 times more complicated than that but that is a simple summary. You can score 100 goals but if you cheat for that offense regularly and get 200 goals against you will obviously lose. While that 100 goals is certainly impressive and an incredible feat that player would unequivocally suck. Said 100 goal scoring slurper would get paid very well since nhl salaries are primarily based off points.
One of the biggest reasons I really liked the Chiarelli hire was because the Bruins typically develop thier players on the third line. The reason for doing that is to both teach a two way game and manage the cap.
I am a big JP fan and have not seen anything that makes me think he will bust like say Yak. I've seen enough positives that I believe he will eventually be a solid 2 way top 6 winger. While he has not excelled to a Mathews or Liane level I still would not be surprised if he developed into a legit star in his own right.
However. If he does reach star status, especially sooner rather than later, we will not be able to afford him.
McDavid, Draisaitl, RNH, and Lucic all eat up so much cap space the top 6 will always HAVE to have 2 bargain bin wingers you round it out.
Perfect world XXX Strome Puliarvi becomes a premium 3rd line. That means an inflated goal differential. The actual amount of points they get is irrelevant. If everyone on that third line gets 30 points 5v5 and are all +10 or better while playing average or higher quality competition. THAT would be a great third line.
We need a good third line to win. Developing JP in that role to start his young career is a great thing for our team and cap management. Perfect world JP gets second PP time with success and has a solid 3rd production (35 to 40 points is a very good 3rd line production). He was on pace for 15 goals 25 points last year in that role with no PP time. Signs a very reasonable long term deal. After signing said deal can be used up and down the line up, on the top PP etc but we will always need a good third line. Having him and Strome as our mainstays on the third line sounds awesome to me. I really like both those players.
Nuge McDavid XXX
Lucic Draisaitl XXX
XXX Strome Puliarvi
XXX Kharia XXX
In terms of cap management and two way play this is a very good way to move forward over the next 5 years.
Lucic isn't living up to his role at the moment but in today's NHL 6 million isn't outrageous. If he can regain even just most of what he typically can bring he will be worth his cap. Some people don't like Strome but as third liners goes he is a young solid 2 way right shooting center that puts up solid third line numbers.
Very comfortable moving forward with that core of forwards. I really don't understand why anyone would really have concerns about our forward group now or the future. So many intriguing wingers coming up and wingers are traditionally the easiest spot to fill. We are set for the majority of a decade where it really matters for centers.
The defense and goaltending... Now that's where questions abound and we need some serious development or luck to feel truly comfortable moving forward. If Sekera wasn't injured i would not be worried but he is and that leaves a big hole.