Line Predictions

I'm expecting Reaves to be a mainstay in the lineup. Barron/Rooney will have to sit. Reaves played in 80 games in the one full year he was under Coach Gallant, and scored a career high 20 points that year.

I think another interesting storyline will be Kreider's role in the top 6. You wonder if Kravstov/Kakko will kick him out if he begins to struggle. But overall, I like your top 9 to start the season for sure. I would just be fairly shocked if Reaves didn't play in 70+ games

I think the top 9 is pretty set. my thought is that Kreider and Kravstov would be the only swap - Kreider starts the season on the Mika line but it is his job to lose to Kravstov.
the 4th line i struggle with - i'd like to see Barron as the C and i think Rooney has the value from a PK standpoint. Blais has to be the guy to start as an everyday guy since he was a piece of the Buch trade. I don't disagree with you though, you don't trade for a guy and then give him an extra year to be your 13th forward. maybe it is Rooney/Blais/Reaves and Barron starts the year in Hartford...

also, you have to think the Gauts is on his way out - he isn't a 4th line guy, he doesn't fit here.

Depending on how the young guys fare in camp (and Hartford if they don’t make NYR at camp)….especially Barron…will be interesting to watch…
If Barron forces his way into lineup I can see him nail down 4c…forcing Rooney to wing- and he’ll play every game due to pk duties…if that’s the case I can see Rooney playing 3RW (Krav sits) in expected physical games….with Reaves playing 4 LW (Rooney’s usual spot)