Going to be a year of changing lines.....
Holland doesnt know what he has or can develop with Pulju.
Turris is definitely not ur mainstream 3C. Probably spends 40 percent of his TOI on David's LW ( if Holland doesnt take a flyer on a cheap UFA or make a trade). I Turris plays up alot does that Mean JJ moves to centre at times?
Who plays with McDavid?
Were still the one line team at least some of the time that Chicago was able to easily corner.
I really dislike the focus on getting McDavid wingers. He is paid so much because he is expected to be able to carry not one but two lower talent wingers along to glory. As have generational player have in the past.
Chiasson worked well with McDavid but for some reason has not been given a chance with Tippett.
Kassian was signed to a lucrative contract to be McDavids winger and has also only played sporadically with him.
Neal was brought in at least partially because it was expected he would be good with McDavid.
Puljujarvi is back.
Ennis did ok and people forget is typically more a skilled forward. He has developed into a bit of a grinder but at one point he was top 6 or bust.
Plus we have a slew of guys considered to be more than just 4th line grinders like Archibald who showed chemistry with McDavid, Benson, and even Nygard.
The realities of a cap world are if you sign for 22 mill down the middle expect your wings to be crap.
Personally I would start training camp with:
Neal McDavid Puljujarvi
RNH Draisaitl Yamamoto
Ennis Turris Kassian
Kharia Haas Archiblad
Chiasson Nygard
We may not have the deadliest top 9 in the league but it's damn good.
Chaisson, Haas, Kharia battling for your 13th forward is very good.
Not to mention Benson, Lavoie, and McLeod getting closer. Plus maybe a big surprise like Maxismov... You never know.