We know Kakko and the Hughes brother are among the sure things in this rookie class, but here are some other rookie questions for the upcoming seasons. Living in Europe, I really can't stay up all weekdays to watch hockey, so these are ten genuin issues to those who watches y-o-u-r teams and prospects more than I do.
ANA: Will Ducks embrace the rebuild and give several youngsters playing time in the top six? Like Comtois, Steel and Kase on the second line, while having the more experienced guys like Henrique and Silfverberg on the third.
CAR: Where do they slot Martin Necas? As the third-line center with Wallmark dropping to 4C? Or Necas playing on the wing?
CHI: Can Kubalik and Nylander dump some more experienced player for playing time in the top three lines?
CBJ: Jakob Lilja and Emil Bemstrom are coming from Europe. Are they likely to figure in a top-nine role among forwards? Or is it Texier's place to lose?
DET: Will Red Wings accept the suffering of one more year of Daley and Ericsson (and Green), before going "all-in" on their blueline rebuild? Or will one or more of Bowey, Cholowski, McIsaac, Seider play major roles already in 19/20?
OTT: Sure, Erik Brannstrom is a future top-four D-man in Ottawa, but will they put him right now? Or will they shield him from a harsh season in Ottawa and making him play 25+ minutes in the AHL instead?
PHI: Hayes was signed for the second line, but could Frost steal his spot? Didn't Hayes play RW in Rangers? If Frost is ready, would Hayes play as 3RW and give them amazing depth? Or would it be "politically incorrect" after dishing out FA money?
SJS: Who will take that vacant position on the second line? Gambrell, Chekhovich, Chemelevski, True or Blichfeld? Or will they put Radil or Sorensen there for the time being?
TBL: After graduating Gourde and Cireclli from Syracuse in the past two seasons, who will be this season's promotion from their AHL team? Barré-Boulet, Martel or Verhaeghe?
VGS: IMO, Knights' defense has the makings for one or two surprise packages to steal a spot. Which one of Whitecloud, Hague or Schuldt is the most likely to take a role?
TBL: I would say Volkov. Maybe Verhaeghe. Barre-Boulet will develop as #1 center in Syracuse this year. We will see him being recalled if someone gets injured during the season. Martel 13th forward imo.
TBL: I would say Volkov. Maybe Verhaeghe. Barre-Boulet will develop as #1 center in Syracuse this year. We will see him being recalled if someone gets injured during the season. Martel 13th forward imo.
Completely agree. Verhaeghe makes it because he would need to go through waivers
ANA: Nope, but maybe slowly getting those guys higher in the lineup when they outplay those veterans. Slowly increasing their ice time. Worked for Toronto and other teams.
CAR: Necas would be on 3rd line likely but they will have Haula with him to share faceoffs so he wouldnt be too overplayed on dot.
CHI: They can, but I dont see it as of now.
CBJ: Bemstrom likely would as he is much younger and better. But I dont see Lilja as NHLer.
DET: Yes and no.. they will let young guys develop properly and suffer one more season of Ericsson and Daley, etc.. but some of those mentioned youngsters would have important roles as well. Like Cholowski and Bowey. McIsaac is 2-3 years away and Seider same.
OTT: Brännström would likely play in their top-4. He already is 2nd best LHD in Ottawa. They will likely put him with Zaitsev because of good history of fast skating two-way Dman excelling with Zaitsev while Zaitsev being effective (Dermott). Chabot-Hainsey/Brännströn-Zaitsev/Wolanin-DeMelo/Jaros as top-6 is expected.
PHI: Hayes is gonna be 2C for them. He was a centerman and not a winger. Jimmy Hayes was RW but thats his brother (atleast I think he is). Frost likely plays on 3rd line as setup man for Nolan Patrick who is 3C.
SJS: It would likely be Sorensen. He has experience in that. But as of now I can see their top-6 being as follows: Sorensen-Couture-Meier / Kane-Hertl-Labanc..
TBL: Barre-Boulet. He is incredible prospect and one player to watch grow into amazing top-6 playmaker.
Det: Bowey is already pretty terrific at offense, but if the team wants to trade Green for a 1st and a prospect at the deadline, then it had better keep giving Green all the power plays, and maybe some more offensive zone starts. That means there's an opportunity for Bowey or another young player to learn more of a defensive role. Hardly headline worthy stuff, but minutes might increase.