Very good post SoA, fair assessment.
Ceci is a Top-4 and it's not debatable even though what some will tell you. He is a #3 right now, our D core has looked very bad when he is not playing
Problem with Chabot is that he is jumping from junior to the NHL, like you said he needs a bit of time. But we have to put him in a favorable situation.
Claesson is not a Top-4 without Karlsson, he needs to be paired with him if we want to use him more than his normal usage. It's probably Swedish chemistry but we have to take benefit of it (until Chabot is ready to play top pair)
Oduya is going to be fine, he looked good with Ceci before so let's continue with that. It's about finding the right partners for each player
Phaneuf cannot play too much at even strength. Give him a lot of time on special units and 3rd pair to ease Chabot in the NHL could be a great mission for him
Our defense needs to be :
Claesson-Karlsson
Oduya-Ceci
Chabot-Phaneuf
Harpur-Wideman
Borowiecki
- Boro draws in against physical teams and if injuries
Now who replaces EK until he's back?
Oduya-Ceci
Claesson-Wideman
Chabot-Phaneuf
Harpur
Borowiecki
No really other choice...