As to the forwards Sunday night it was a mish mash of players and most of the guys counted upon to do the heavy lifting were not in the lineup.
Archibald/Cassels/Grenier will be regulars, but not on this line. These guys played well enough, but don't compliment each other in any way. Watching Grenier try to kill penalties was not good. It's not one of his strengths. Archi is a banger and a grinder, Grenier more finesse while using his bigger body to fore check and finally win battles on the boards, and Cassels has improved his skating, just how much remains to be seen, but he had more jump, was much more engaging, and wasn't struggling to keep up or catch up all the time like last season.
Zalewski/Kunyk/Rendulic were 2/3s of a possible line. We know what Z has to offer. Rendulic is tall with a long reach, skates well, but didn't show the offensive flare we are hoping to see. Kunyk is a lower in the line up player and has a good chance of becoming a back-up.
Bancks/Valk/Hulak was a scrambled mess. Bancks doesn't do well without complimentary style players, particularly Hamilton. He wasn't invisible, but held back on his game in order to cover for the line's constant loss of puck possession, particularly Valk. Hulak threw his weight around and delivered a few good hits, nothing dynamic, but played the body well in both ends. Another group that will not see time together although Hulak could have an outside chance to join Carter and Wacey, but I think Archi would fit in there first.
I've already covered the LaPlante/Roy/D'Aoust line.
Archi, Cassels, Grenier, Zalewski, Rendulic, Bancks, and Hulak will join Megna, Chaput, LaBate, Hamilton, Carcone, and Etem (if he clears) to form the corps of regular forwards. That leaves Kunyk, Roy, Valk, and LaPlante to select from for the remaining depth forwards. A couple of these guys will be on the way "North to Alaska". I'd guess Valk and LaPlante.
That is 8 or 9 D-men, 15 forwards, and 2 goalies. I really wish we could see Garteig a little longer, but that's not likely to happen. The kid has a good set of skills.