Interestingly enough I have a slightly different view of how our team should look to start the season than MAK. Given how Conacher has looked in development camp, and what I've seen of him in his pro career so far I'd really, really like to see him tried out with Spezza. He would look really good with Spezza and Ryan.
Cory Conacher - Jason Spezza - Bobby Ryan
Clarke MacArthur - Kyle Turris - Milan Michalek
Shane Prince - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Mika Zibanejad
Colin Greening - Zack Smith - Chris Neil
I think that Prince is ready for the show and he could contribute more than Condra. We have enough defensive forwards to be honest and Prince brings an element of offence that Condra just doesn't. I'm not completely sold on putting Zibanejad on the wing, but I do feel like the above line-up, ultimately, is our best possible line-up this year.
With that said...Lazar has been very, very good for an 18 year old. He's keeping up very well with some 2 year pros and outperforming a lot of older prospects. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he had a good 9 game stint and stuck in the NHL.
Interesting. Though if I am removing Condra for Prince I really question if he has any guarantee at all of more offence. Condra actually gets about the same number of points as Smith and Neil. He is the least scoring forward on the team but he is far from an offensive black hole. He does suck at scoring though, but he creates chances, and can pass and pressure in the offensive zone. Prince is far from a guarantee at all to provide 20-25 points, and anchor the PK. I would move Condra but not to clear a spot for Prince. I think Stone, Hoffman, Prince, Puempel and even Lazar are waiting for an injury to get there shot in the top 12. If there is an injury in the preseason and Lazar gets a 9 game look he can make an impression. Assuming somehow Lazar does get a try out and shines! Plus Condra is gone like you proposed.
Cory Conacher - Jason Spezza - Bobby Ryan
Clarke MacArthur - Kyle Turris - Milan Michalek
Colin Greening - Mika Zibanejad - Zack Smith
Curtis Lazar - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Chris Neil
Methot - Karlsson
Cowen - Gryba
Wiercioch - Philips (as RD)
Anderson / Lehner
Those lines would be really difficult to play against. Both of the top 2 lines have big bodies and speed to play against, and an energy guy. The 3a and 3b lines would both be nightmares to play against and made for the playoffs. The Zibanejad line would have three physical forwards. I think Zibanejad could help them be pretty effective offensively. The Pageau line with Lazar (could use others if it is not Lazar) would have THREE true energy bug players. Pageau has a very smart offensive hockey sense. I think he could help Neil and whoever else he plays with to score some goals. The only issue is if the bottom 6 could produce enough offence. I think they probably could do well enough.
