Forward is a position where we have little to no organizational depth, at least at the AHL level . The only real quality that is still left there with the potential to produce in a bottom 6 capacity are foo/mangiapane and to a much lesser potential the likes of klimchuk/shinkaruk.
Dube was a late cut this past camp and I wouldn't be shocked to see him battle for a bottom 6 spot thus coming camp.
Long story short, there's maybe some prospects for bottom 6/depth but not much as far as actual offense contributors.
In my eyes this is how the this group ideally transition to an actual playoff team next season :
Gaudreau - Monahan - tkatchuk/Bennett
Tkachuk/Bennett - ??? -???
Ferland - Backlund - Frolik
Dube/mangiapane/Hathaway - Jankowski - Lazar
This of course is not realistic, as with the Backlund contract, we simply can't afford a true offensive 2nd line center and a scoring winger.
Therefore, I suppose we'll be looking at ;
Gaudreau - Monahan - tkatchuk/Bennett
Tkachuk/Bennett - Backlund -???
Ferland - Jankowski - Frolik
Dube/mangiapane - Lazar - Hathaway
In this case, I expect the flames to pay a hefty price (Brodie + fox + Gillies) to get a prime winger.
As an aside, If Bennett is not getting a solid top 6 role handed to him right from the start, then just trade him. He isn't going to develop his offensive game with 3rd line teammates and playing time.
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