Opening day lineup

I like the line combos. The only critique I have would be ZAR being the 4th line RW. Also I feel like Sprong will start on the 3rd line wing with Brassard to get him familiar with being an everyday NHL player. Eventually during the season you will see Sprong with Sid if his production is progressing. Dominik Simon I don't feel has a spot in Pittsburgh to play everyday. If he would go to a club who is re-building (VAN, OTT, MTL) he might have a shot to live up to his potential. He is said to be a potential goal scorer and super good hockey IQ. So that means to me he would be good at setting up other skilled players. He isn't a big player to be able to handle being in front of the net so that is why it didn't work playing with Sid. So I can see him playing with a guy like Drouin or Domi in MTL, or Mark Stone in OTT or the bunch of good young skilled wingers in VAN. (Lind, Pettersson, Dahlen)

trading Simon would be a very bad idea. They are still developing him and he clearly has talent. When Hagelin is let go next season, you will have a role for a mid 6 LW. Which Simon will be able to come in and fill nicely.
They will save 3 million in cap space, most likely improve the scoring production, and make their roaster younger.

ZAR will most likely be the 4th line winger. Unless they want a big 4th line. Then you will see Grant, Riley, and Hayes. That's a large body checking 4th line that is capable of putting up some points. Especially if you are starting Johnson and Big rig on the 3rd pairing.

so grant has played LW in the past? I don't know much about him but if so then him and Cullen have the 4th line LW wrapped up since I know Cullen has. By having grant spell him that would also keep Cullen fresher.

I like the top 2 lines and would probably start like that and change as necessary probably.

I do like brassard with kessel on the third line.

As for 3rd line LW and 4th line RW to me that depends on if ZAR is at the NHL level to start, if he does then I put him at 3rd LW and move rust over to 4th RW. If ZAR starts in the AHL then I have rust as 3rd LW and either simon OR hayes at 4th RW. In your scenario you don't have either hayes or ZAR up so I am ok with how you have it ordered although I would prefer ZAR being up which means my first scenario.