[Goriders]

So it’s looking like we are rolling into this season with essentially the same lineup as at the end of the season minus Vladar and potentially adding Pareckh. None of the rumoured trades or free agent additions seem to be materializing. We are a week away from physicals so I’m assuming nothing is going to happen on that front.

That being said there are still a few question marks. Big ones for me are:

1. Who replaces Vladar as backup to Wolf? It’s looking like based on contract make up Prosvetov is the front runner based on a one way contract. But could Cooley beat him out or did his second half last year lose him favour in the organizations eyes?

2. Who gets bumped out of the D group if Parekh pushes himself onto the roster? My guess is it would be Miromanov or Bean. Based on how much Bean was playing last year I would assume Miromanov would get sent down.

3. What’s going on with Zary and is he going to hold out? We seem to have a surplus of wingers so I would not be surprised to see Conroy play hardball with Zary. I can see his point based on Zary’s injury history. But I hope Zary gets signed before camp as players that miss camp typically have down years. Sharongovich and Mangiapane being recent examples. I don’t know which way this one will go. Someone will have to blink at some point.

4. Where are they going to slot in Klapka in the lineup? Per above we have a surplus of wingers. Problem I see is both Pospisil and Klapka will be wasted on the 4th line. But one of them is probably going to end up there. My guess is it will be Klapka. I think he should be further up the lineup to take full advantage of his tools. I think the same thing about Pospisil though.

5. Will any other youngsters be able to make the opening roster? I think the best chance would be on D. Players like Bean and Miromanov could easily be replaced. Someone will also have to come up when Andersson is eventually dealt depending on what comes back. Candidates would most likely be Brzustewicz, Solovyov and Kuznetsov. I would bet none make it at the start of the season but one of the three bumps in when Andersson is dealt.

We have a surplus of wingers if Zary signs and I don’t see any centers ready to bump any of the current ones. So I doubt any forwards make the jump unless one of Morton, Kerins or Honzek get added as the 14th forward in Hunt’s spot. That could easily happen.

6. How are they going to handle the Andersson situation? My guess is he gets traded at the deadline and one of the previously mentioned young dmen take a spot on the roster. This will be awkward for the team. Still hoping something gets done before camp starts. If they are in a playoff spot at the deadline it would create a vacuum on D and in the locker room. Not sure what to do if you’re Conroy. There’s also an issue with too many right dmen if Andersson and Parekh are both on the roster. Bumps Pachal out or he has to play the opposite side. Messy situation.

So based on the above and contract status here’s my guess for opening day lineup. I’m going to assume Zary signs.

Huberdeau Kadri Coronato
Zary Frost Pospisil
Farabee Backund Coleman
Lomberg Kirkland Klapka

Sharongovich
Hunt

Hanley Weegar
Bahl Andersson
Bean Parekh

Pachal

Wolf
Prosvetov

I guess ultimately anything could happen but that’s what I think will play out.

I do think there’s going to be some moves eventually because with Andersson on the team the D grouping is a bit of a mess and you have a number of young Dmen stagnating on the wranglers.

We also have a surplus of wingers causing a few to be under utilized and we have a shortage of centers. Seems like there needs to be a rebalance at some point this season. I see the Andersson situation as that oppurtunity.