To start the season, with Hyman out and Kapanen up in the top 6 replacing him, I'm going to say to bottom 6 is.
Moore
Kerfoot
Mikheyev
Spezza
Agastino
Shore
Gauthier (as the 13th forward)
The only thing I could see changing this is Mikheyev being such a natural fit with Matthews and Nylander that Kapanen plays on the 3rd line with Kerfoot and Moore.
Other darkhorses to make the team are Bracco and Korshkov, but better to let them ripen in the AHL and you are probably right, NHL experience will be needed on that bottom 6.
Moore - We know what he brings, could replace Hyman during injury due to style of play
Kerfoot - Reports say he has played more wing than centre at NHL level, but is a natural centre with a pass first mentality.
Mikheyev - UNKNOWN -Could be a really good fit anywhere in the lineup or a bust, but we will have to see what we have here. Cool video on YouTUBE has be excited though.
Spezza - 36 YEARS OLD. Played on a offensively inept Stars team last season, could enjoy a bounce back year to 35-40 point range with PP time. Good at face-offs. Always suspect defensively but if he keeps winning face-offs it shouldn't matter.
Agastino-Gud hard working pro. Hits. Has offensive acumen from junior and AHL days, but hasn't translated to NHL yet
Shore - No clue, bit of an unknown to me. Pencilled on to be LA's third line centre a scant 2 years ago, hasn't lived up to expectations. "2 way centre with good vision and IQ" Looks like a defensive player either 4th or Marlies
Gauthier "(as the 13th forward) " yup probs....good chess buddy on long flights.
Pontus Aberg - If leafs hold on to this guy, in a few years they could have Pontus Holmberg. Pontus Aberg and sign Victor Stalberg to a PTO.
