Verhaeghe hasn’t been playing center at all for the past couple of years, as far as I know (I could be wrong, though). I guess Johnson could take that spot instead, though, as he sort of tends to improve at center anyway and the only reason he doesn’t usually is that we never had a spot. Stamkos on wing opens one. The other thing is that Joseph in the top-six is a little bit bold. He does play well with Cirelli, so it could work out.

Not that this is a valid consideration, though, but if we do use this lineup, we’re inflating the values of all of our upcoming RFAs and diminishing the trade value of our depth players on contracts we can’t afford anymore. Obviously we’re trying to be the best that we can be, but maybe it’s something to be cautious about.

October w/o Point:

Gourde - Johnson - Kucherov
Palat - Stamkos - Volkov
Killorn - Cirelli - Joseph
Verhaeghe - Paquette - Maroon

When Point returns:

Gourde - Point - Kucherov
Palat - Cirelli - Stamkos
Killorn - Johnson - Joseph
Maroon - Paquette - Volkov/Verhaeghe

Gourde on 1st line .. aw gawd .. he was DEMOTED to 3rd and 4th line last year after radically FAILING on top 2 lines .. there a reason Gourde was EIGHT years in the minors.. he lacks skill and talent .. he a 3rd line grinder .. at best. PUT Volkov on 1st line or Joseph .. Johnson at center gives me ZERO excitement .. try Vandereghe .. again sending down ABB knowing Point will be out is telling .
May need to trade for 3rd line center

I agree until Point returns let the seasoned forwards that are paid well play top six. If they are successful then they add value to the team or for trade purpose. Put Gourde third line center and see if he can produce, again can only add value.

Oct lines;
Palat- Tyler- Kuch: triplets are back
Killorn-Cirelli- Stammer: Killorn and Cirelli have chemistry and Cirelli gets a chance as second line center.
Volkov-Gourde- Joseph
Verghaeghe-Paquette- Maroon

If Palat or Killorn faulters then we have options.

I like these lines right here...Cooper paired Cirelli with Stamkos in game 4 vs Columbus, seemed to be an effective pairing. Putting the Triplets back together early on could be something that gets Palat going to start the season. I think I would switch out Verhaeghe for Gemel Smith. I think Smith's style is better suited to play along side Paquette and Maroon.

Johnson (a 29 goal scorer last season) doesn’t belong on the 3rd line.

I do not disagree. I just would like to see how Verghaeghe does before we lose him to waivers. However though I have not seen a game reports are Gemel has added energy and grit.

He had 18 assists though, I think his 29 goals come from the play of his teammates rather than Johnson driving play himself. Johnson hasn't been the same the past few years. We've seen spurts of that 72 point season from 2014-15, but not consistently. He has also played wing the last few seasons with the emergence of Point, so maybe allowing him to play center again with the Triples is rejuvenating in terms of his ability to command/drive play on the ice.

I agree that I don't want to lose him to waivers, maybe he starts the season with Tampa to see what he can do, but its just hard to imagine that he can establish a solidified role on the 4th line. He's going from a top goal scorer in the AHL, to a 4th line minute muncher on the NHL's most talented team. My qualm is we might not be able to see what he can really do in terms of scoring touch/playmaking ability as a 4th line winger. So his value is decreased a little

Gourde - Point - Kucherov
Stamkos - Johnson - Palat
Killorn - Cirelli - Joseph
Verhaeghe - Paquette - Maroon