Quoting: The_Ultimate_Pielord
Firstly, sign Grabner if you need a 1RW. Likely 30-goal scorer with capable defense. Matt Cane has him projected at 4 years/ 4.5 million (I gave him 6 million: that sounded low to me).
Otherwise:
1. Perlini isn't ready to be a 1LW. Bad possession stats and an unremarkable 17/13/30 statline last year. I'd probably have Keller and Stepan together: Stepan needs a scorer on his wing to perform at maximum effectiveness, while Galchenyuk can act as a scorer in addition to a playmaker.
2. I have Kruger as 3C and Cousins at 4C . There's a lot to e optimistic about with Strome, but he wasn't effective in the NHL last year and the Yotes don't have much reason to rush him. Kruger's got solid possession numbers in ultra-defensive usage, and provides a very strong checking centre.
3. Probably keep Goligoski as 2LD. His CF% and FF% are ugly, but a lot of that can be chalked up to his 44.9 oZs% last year. It's been more of an issue with his usage than him, and a good checking line can fix it IMO. He did also manage a very solid 12/23/35 offensive slashline.
4. Probably add another scorer on the wing (JVR/Neal are the best options if Grabner's signed). You've got a ton of cap space here, keep adding!
Otherwise, solid team. I'm constantly amazed by how little change the Yotes really need.
My thinking is that, Keller is the playmaker to Gally the scorer. Perlini is wildly inconsistent, but hopefully he can step-on in the summer, he can become a strong scorer in the NHL, Stepan can be a stablising center for him.
Strome has definitely graduated the AHL, placing Merkley on his wing provides speed and familiar support. 3rd center is a good spot as he can be used and hidden when necessary.
Kruger is the dream 4th center, Lawson Crouse can become Andrew Shaw v2 alongside Kruger. Also Goligoski balances the D group, the bottom 4 getting near identical ice time.
I'm not fond of any of the UFA wingers available, especially past 2 or 3 years of their contract. This is what Todd Cordell says about Grabner. Its hard to argue against, and puts me off.
"Grabner is a useful middle-6 forward but I don't think he's as good as his goal totals over the last couple years suggest.
From 2009-16, his average shooting percentage at 5v5 was 9.82%. In two years with the Rangers it jumped to an unsustainably high 16.06%. The spike in shooting percentage, coupled with a plethora of empty net goals, have inflated his numbers and made him look like a much better scorer than he actually is. The New Jersey Devils found that out the hard way down the stretch.
Grabner has posted a negative Relative Corsi For% in four consecutive years, his goal scoring numbers will almost certainly dip, and he's on the wrong side of 30. Buying high on him seems like a bad idea."