You have to keep Hughes at C.

Kulikov is the stay at home type that Severson needs to be paired with. Tennyson goes down and Vats goes to the right side where he is at his best. Hughes stays at center with Sharangovich at LW where he belongs. Wood can't play on the right side. It should go - Bratt - Nico - Palms, Govi - Hughes - Goose, Wood - Zajac - Boqvist, Johnnson/Kouk - Zacha - Bastian. Murray/PK, Kulikov/Severson, Smith/Vat.

Think it might be a good idea to play him with Hischier and the Devils are stacked at center but I get that

1. I really haven't liked Kulikov in these two games but could see that.
2. Tennyson has played solid, especially with a offensive defenseman
3. Probably a good idea to keep Vatanen on the right side
4. Agree with Hughes, Wood Sharangovich

Gusev has been good with Zacha this season, and with Bratt last season so wouldn't split them apart.

Johnsson-Hughes-Palmieri
Wood-Nico-Yegor
Gusev-Zacha-Bratt
Kuok-Zajac-Boqvist

Murray-Subban
Vatanen-Severson
Smith-Tennyson

McLeod has played very well both games ... I think putting him on the right, over Boqvist, merits consideration.

I like the way McLeod played, especially with Bastian. I was thinking McLeod/Bastian and Boqvist/Kuok would rotate on the 4th line with Zajac

Hughes was a disaster on the wing last season. He's a natural center, playing him anywhere else hurts his development IMO.

I would say try it again. I feel like playing him with good players and on the first line will increase his development. If it doesn't work, then move him back to center

Not for the position change. At 19 years old he’s already had/been:

-Tried at winger
-His head coach fired
-The best player on his team, and line mate, traded (Hall)
-GM who drafted him fired
-Lived with Schneider only to see him be sent back and forth from Binghamton

Young adults in the NHL need consistently and stability. He’s 19. Keep him in one spot and let him grow