Quoting: BurgerBoss
For the first game I'd consider a lineup like this:
Robertson-Seguin-Pavelski
Benn-Hintz-Radulov
Dickinson-Dellandrea-Perry
Cogliano-Faksa-Gurianov
Lindell-Klingberg
Heiskanen-Johns(assuming he's declared fit to play)
Sekera-Polak
Bishop-Khudobin
Quoting: McFaksaGOAT
I like it. I really hope Robertson makes the roster. I’m a huge fan
Nill seems pretty adamant that Robertson spend the bulk of this season in the AHL to get his legs under him. Dellandrea may be on the opening night roster, but Nill is likely going to use him sparingly to prolong the 10-game tryout that he gets. If he's a scratch, it doesn't count against his 10-game tryout and he can still stay and practice with the NHL team. If he PLAYS in 10 games then Nill has to either keep him up all year or send him back to Flint. It's a risky move, if he doesn't produce. If he doesn't impress, then you send him back to one of the worst juniors teams in Canada instead of allowing him to practice with the NHL squad. If he doesn't impress and you keep him in the NHL then you are depriving him of legitimate playing time back in Flint. Best bet with Dellandrea is that he gets a 10-game tryout that extends through the first month of so of the season. That being said, if he does play, it would not be in the Stars best interest to give him 4th line minutes between two wingers that don't score. Put him on a two-way line, between wingers that can score or play some defense, and then evaluate his play on both ends of the ice.
Meanwhile, the opening night lineup I would be running:
If Dellandrea plays on opening night
Benn-Seguin-Radulov
Gurianov-Hintz-Pavelski
Dickinson-Dellandrea-Perry
Cogliano-Faksa-Comeau
Janmark
If Dellandrea is a scratch or back in Flint
Benn-Seguin-Radulov
Gurianov-Hintz-Pavelski
Dickinson-Faksa-Perry
Janmark-L'Esperance-Comeau
Dowling
If Johns is healthy
Heiskanen-Klingberg
Lindell-Johns
Oleksiak-Sekera
Polak
If Johns is still not ready
Lindell-Klingberg
Oleksiak-Heiskanen
Sekera-Polak
Bishop
Khudobin