Okay, so I haven’t done any sort of cap hit analysis on this, and I know that Phil Kessel has a modified NTC and a NMC, but here’s the base line-up I think solves a lot of problems:
Gaudreau – Lindholm/Backlund – Kessel
Tkatchuk* – Monahan* – Frolik/X
Mangiapane – Bennett – Frolik/X
Dube/X - Czarnik/Ryan – Hathaway
Notes: Backlund, love the guy but we may have to trade him to get other parts
Lindholm: I believe he could try to carry the top line when playing with elite wingers who can do a lot on their own.
Frolik: would like to keep him, but he may have to go.
*denotes need for power skating lessons for this to work.
Defence:
Keep Gio, Anderson, at least one of Valamaki and Kylington, and one of Hanifin or Hamonic (we may have to trade some of these guys for other parts, let’s face it)
Goal: Rittich, and any way to improve over Rittich. Smith as 1b if nothing better available. New Russian guy?
Not pictured: Neal, Stone, Brodie, Jankowski, Fantenberg (although I really liked his game, no objection to bringing him back)
The key to this, of course, is Phil Kessel. The guy is a threat with underrated playmaking abilities. Stops teams from being able to focus on JG so much. Has playoff and cup winning experience. Moving Monahan to the second line makes for a really great “second” line, and may help get him away from top pair d-men who have figured out you can crowd him out of the play fairly easily.
So really, all I’m saying is we need to get Phil Kessel. It really is that simple.
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