I really like 99% of this.
Only thing I’m iffy on is Barrie I think I’d sooner hold russell to rotate in that bottom pairing while working jones and bouch into the line up. When injuries start to rack up just feel more confident russell can handle a tougher workload. I’m not against the idea I’m just a bit on the fence about it. I really like your signings completely agree on 3c would be great for jp to start the season with. Excellent job

I think Barrie would depend on where they feel bouchard is as I think that they'd fill a similar role.

That’s exactly my thought on Barrie. I feel with youth it’s important to allow them to play to their strengths to build confidence. Keeping russell instead of adding Barrie in my opinion allows that for either jones or bouch. Both of them are good with the puck. Russell can handle the defensive pressure of a third pairing very well again in my opinion allowing either one of them to focus on joining rushes making plays. Another aspect injuries to me if someone needs to move up to the top four to cover any injury I’d take russell over Barrie every time. If didn’t have the youth like bouch or jones then I’d be all over this Barrie idea

Understandable, I would hope if there's any doubt bouchard is fully NHL ready they'd keep him down and not rush him like they've been prone to do.

I have resisted the urge to drop the oilers prospects like Bouchard and Broberg into the lineup this year to allow for one more year of growth. If there is no AHL season this would change everything and i would have Bouchard right on the team and avoid the Barrie signing.