To return with my issue of depth on left wing, I wonder if they possibly start Rossi on second line while he gets used to the O? Less responsability initially and might free him up offensively.
Keats-Chem-Felhaber
Rossi-Hoelscher-Clark
Yuill-Bitten-Clarke
Losev-Tolnai-Quinn
I still see acquiring a vet center/left wing, in that scenario Yuill goes to fourth line and Losev is our 13 th forward. I left Boomhower out as I think they will upgrade at OA spot.
The 67’s have a couple awkward situations up front.
1> Tolnai and Rossi are both Centres of high regard. Neither have experience though. Usually guys like that start on the 4th line and drill up the roster in the 2nd half. IfChmelevski and Hoelscher stay at centre, there is only room for one of them to settle into the 3rd line role otherwise they’d have to switch to wing.
2> Felhaber is the only viable OA to play in a top 6 Forward or top 4 Defense. That leaves two potential spots for other players. One could be a goalie. Essentially, that leaves Boomhower as the only real viable alternate but with the current depth chart and the quality of the youth, it will be tough for him to get consistent top 3 line minutes. That usually suggests the OA will be released.
3> There are another couple players on that depth chart that are in a tough spot. Losev should be gone. I’d keep Boomhower 100% over Losev regardless of OA vs 18 year old. Boomhower would still generate a 5th or 6th round pick later in the season. Losev? I’m not sure he’d garner anything. Yule also is in tough. He has potential and I am curious to see his improvement in skating. But, with the potential of OA acquisitions etc, you have to think he will be in tough for minutes.
4> Quinn needs ice this year to step forward. HE looks virtually buried on the 4th line. Look for him or someone else to shift from the right side to the left so he can shift up the lineup one line at some point this season.
5> Peric is still the #7 D-Man. I could see them dressing 7 D-Men quite a bit and sacrificing the 4th line LW.