[stemit14]

Was thinking about the roster for the season and realized how few spots are available for young players at this point - at least at forward positions. I know it’s a long season and there will be injuries but it felt like there has been so much roster turnover over the last 2 years that there would be tons of spots available for young guys. When I look at the lineup below, I don’t see a top 9 forward position available and I see two 4th line forward positions available (where I have Klapka and Stromgren). Not a criticism, just an observation that the starting lineup will have more veterans than you would think in a rebuild year.

Kuzmenko-Kadri-Posposil
Huberdeau-Zary-Sharangovich
Mantha-Backlund-Coleman
Lomberg-Rooney-Klapka/Stromgren

Bean-Weegar
Bahl-Anderson
Soloviov-Miromanov/Pachal

Vladar
Wolf

The only way I see this shuffling around to make more room for another top 9 spot for a young player like Coronato or Pelletier is if Posposil is shifted to centre on the fourth line. If that happens, there will be one less position available for a fourth line player and one more position available for a top nine player. I just think the coach likes having Posposil with Kadri as he brings a great element to the top nine.

I’m certain injuries will happen even as early as pre-season. But, if not, I don’t see a spot for Pelletier or Coronato on the opening lineup.