Yes, and that was a problem back then also. We are loaded with top wingers yet we somehow are stuck in this formula of putting a grinder in our top-6 because that's what Panarin and Strome want. Then why are we loaded with wingers? If this is the form not only has to Buch go, but one of Kakko and Kravtsov as well. There's no room.
Not necessarily.
Buch is gone, most likely. We'll get something for him though - either packaging him to try and address the center situation, getting back a C prospect or getting a middle pair LHD to tide the kids over on the blueline and give us some stability.
As far as KK, Kravtsov and Goodrow, let's wait to see how the kids develop and what kind of second deals they're looking at. If Kravtsov only gets a marginal raise on his second deal and Kakko gets bridged at like 3.5M we won't be spending very much on that right side and that's nice depth. All three can kind of play on any line in that case. That wouldn't be too bad. Obviously if KK and/or Kravtsov takes a big step and needs a bigger raise it gets more complex, but if Kravtsov is playing on the third line this year and doesn't put up big numbers, he likely won't cost too much and so far Kakko isn't on a trajectory to get a BIG second contract.
They both should be on PP2 this year. Goodrow won't play PP even if he plays with Panarin at 5v5. It's not a bad thing to have 3 well balanced scoring lines. Loading up two lines vs being able to get just as much production from Panarin with a guy like Goodrow is a good thing. The third line will have Kreider and Kravtsov on the wings, likely with Chytil in the middle. It won't be some garbage line where Kravtsov has zero chance to succeed. Chytil is going into year 4 full time. With the top two lines drawing tougher matchups a Kreider/Chytil/Krav line should be able to do some damage.