Abramov shoots left, but I'm quite sure can play either wing, he's a player who doesn't need a setup man but can create his own offence. I doubt he starts the yr in Ottawa, there are simply too many other players ahead of him including a number of "one way" contracts that will need to be moved this yr to make roster room. Being a very offensive player I see Abramov on a scoring line & not necessarily on a checking line. If he is still around for the start of the 2020 season than we should know by then whether he is a keeper or if there is a move to get something for him while he still has some value.
There is certainly a need for at least one RWer in Ottawa since IMO Batherson & Ryan (Ryan should still be around for another yr or two) will take up two RW spots right off the bat, I doubt anyone thinks these two are not on the team next yr. I'm also quite sure that C. Brown will be given one RW spot for at least a yr or two, if not more depending on his play in Ottawa. That leaves one 4th line RW spot that IMO could be given to an older guy like Rodewald to finish the yr after the trade deadline as a "thank you for your service" type deal we often see. Although, I think he starts the yr in Belleville because of the number of one way contracts already in Ottawa & EM not wanting to pay NHL salaries to players playing in Belleville. But once a few bodies are traded away & spots open up, I could see Rodewald on a 4th line in a checking role who can add a little offence. Of course, unless he turns into Josh Anderson, I doubt he sticks past next season though.
IMO these are the guys I see who are in the future plans of this franchise & could be on the team as early as the 2020 season. NHL Coaches these days seem to like tandems that work well together & need a complimentary player for each tandem on each line. All of the other players/prospects I think will be fighting for these complimentary spots going into the 2020 season.
1. L. Brown C & D. Batherson RW
- Ottawa needs to draft an elite player to play LW with these two in the 2020 draft, either Lafreniere or Byfield would work well on this top line.
2. B. Tkachuk LW - C. White C
- Ottawa already has some options to play with these two in Ryan & C. Brown but a more offensive player IMO would work better than a checking forward like C. Brown. They may need to draft one in 2021 or trade for one, if Veronneau or Davidsson don't work out.
3. A. Formenton LW - J. Norris C
- another line that needs a RWer & IMO Ryan would fit in nicely here for a couple of yrs until S. Pinto C/RW is ready, if it is their intention to play him at RW, otherwise they will still need another RWer (maybe one of Veronneau or Davidsson).
4. N. Paul LW - M. Kastelic C
- while it's still very early, this coaching staff seemed to have a lot of confidence in Kastelic's ability to win faceoffs in the rookie tournament. I think it's possible that he could be a 4th line option for them given he shoots right & could play RW too & is very good defensively. If they decide to play Pinto at centre he would be an interesting option at centre on this 4th line giving it a little more offence, creativity & speed. Ottawa also has a few guys who could end up playing on this 4th line at centre in Pageau, Tierny & Chlapik although IMO they could all be traded at some point.