Just my quick list of players in solidified positions, players I'd like to see given a shot and others I'd like to see traded:
1LW: your captain, Brady Tkachuk. An absolute unit of a human being and the driving force of this team. No brainer. Don't say he's getting traded for Barkov because that means you're an idiot who believes everything "Biz-nasty" says.
1C: Running at a higher PPG at his age than Draisaitl: it's Jimmy Stu. He is only getting better. His defensive game is solid, he will outwork anyone on the ice and make anyone look stupid while doing it.
1RW: The beard is where his power comes from. It's G. The mentor on faceoffs, pure professionalism in him and just all out smarts on the ice. The complimentary 1RW Ottawa needed.
2C: The speed of this kid is insane. Josh Norris. Absolute stud on the ice and amazing vision with an absolute bomb of a shot. The only issue may be his shoulder for faceoffs. This may push him to 2LW, but it would be for the best long term. Can't wait to see him at full health.
2RW: A guy a lot bigger than he plays. Drake Batherson. If he can get back to the form he was before the Dell incident, pretty much anyone will be able to play with him and Norris. Also, when he is physically active in the game they tend to be more successful.
3C: Everyone apparently wants him but doesn't want to pay: Shane Pinto. Another absolute unit on the ice, and only growing into his size. He's defensively gifted and is only starting his sophomore year. He has stud written all over him.
4C: Fastest guy on the team, so far. Mark Kastelic. This guy is just grit. Amazing on facoffs, in your face, and will protect the team. An invaluable asset.
1LD: Jake Sanderson. This guy is arguably one of the best taken in his draft. Behind Jimmy Stu, of course. A genius with the puck, a PP quarterback, defensively sound, this guy is poised to be the top D on this team for ages.
1RD: Quite possibly the best name to straight up say, Artem Zuuuuuuuuub. A Marc Methot style player. He will make anyone he plays with better because of how defensively sound his game is. In one word, he is Reliable.
2LW: He took a step back last year, but he's still solid, Chabby. Sanderson has stolen some of his spotlight on the back end, but it will leave him with a little more room to play his own game. I feel with slightly fewer minutes and a smaller workload, QBing PP2, he can up his numbers next season.
2RD: Can you spell his name? I can... Sometimes. Is Mister Chychrun. If he can stay healthy he will be a driving force on the back end. He's huge and has a bomb. Let's hope he stays healthy this year.
3LD: It's the little guy everyone wrote off. It's Branny. Once identified as an underperforming offensive defenseman, he began to work on his defensive prowess and his game began to soar. Maybe he will peak at 3LD, but he can also grow while filling in at greater roles.
2G: The other one everyone wrote off. The waiver claim: Anton Forsberg. A solid 1B goaler. After a devastating injury last year his health is in question , but if he gets back into form he will be a solid 1B.
LTIR: Players if like to see sent elsewhere. Either did not contribute enough or are not committed to the franchise.
Scratches: players in the system who deserve a shot at the big leagues. Can fill in possibly most of the vacancies if needed.
IR: RFA players I would like to see come back in support roles, but not likely to be any greater than just support, if anything.
Good Read. Agree with all your points. Which UFA would you target to play LW2?
Bertuzzi would be an easy answer. I know there will be a bidding war for him so it won't be a good value in relation to cap hit and performance.
There are a ridiculous number of factors for 2LW. First and foremost is the health of Norris' shoulder. If he isn't in the condition to take faceoffs anymore it's an easy solution to move him to his strong side. If that's the case, I would try Greig at 2C under careful guidance and mentorship from Giroux.
If Norris can stay at C, I would try Grieg there as well, or maybe even give Smejkal a shot, considering his size and point production in other leagues.
The biggest intangible is what happens in the trade market with DeBrincat. If a solid and serviceable winger comes back (Evangelista/Teravainen/Marchment) it would be a no brainer to put them there.
Right now I think it belongs to Greig, but things can change in a few days with the draft coming.