I think we have too many guys who just don't specialize in anything. The 4th line specializes in defensive play. The top line is what it is--still needs a RW, imo. That second line is perfect. The third line is just a mishmash of guys who don't really hurt you when they're out there, but don't really add anything to set them apart either, minus Hornqvist. McCann, again, is a guy I have a lot of optimism for with regard to hitting a ceiling like Rust, but he just seems to be pulled in too many directions to really make any headway. Bjugstad is the poster boy for "won't hurt you, but won't do a damn thing for you either" when he's on the ice. Simon's in a weird limbo where he's either on Sid and Jake's wing, or he's got no spot--and I really don't think he's the answer to that wing spot. Not as a stop-gap, nor as a long-term guy. Marleau's probably best suited to play the 4th line, Cullen role as a winger, but our 4th line is pretty set as is. I don't really think Marleau's going to bring anything to the third line, but I hope I'm wrong. I think he just needs fewer minutes and a more tactical deployment to get the most out of the guy.
Really, the only thing holding us back for the foreseeable future at forward is the same thing that's been holding us back for several seasons; the 3C spot and the RW spot alongside Sid and Jake. I like McCann at wing, and think he's got a better shot at hitting his ceiling there. Hornqvist, expensive as he is, does what he does wherever--and while I'd rather not be locked into a $5.3 million/yr third line winger/PP specialist, we don't really have any other option until his NTC ends.