I the sense a few of the younger guys may have the inside track on some roster spots and we'll definitely see some injuries. Newhook would be in over Matteau at the very least and Toews will be in the lineup. MacDermid will get some spot duty but I hope not at D - his defense is awful. 4th line wing in very limited minutes? Sure. Regular role? No thanks.

Maltsev hasn't even shown that he deserves the 4C spot let alone 3LW.

Matteau hasn't played a single minute of preseason games yet so he's probably behind quite a few guys at this point, certainly Newhook and probably Ranta as well.

MacDermid was atrocious against Minnesota in the last preseason game. I hope we don't see him play on D anytime soon. Jack Johnson is going to get a contract and be the teams 7D; he's looked solid, especially in the Vegas game when partnered with Byram.

Toews is already practicing in a normal-contact jersey so he'll likely only be on IR instead of needing LTIR.

Lot wrong here. Newhook is a lock for this team, right now as the 3C, with Jost on his wing. Matteau isn’t making the team period he has been out played by Newhook, Ranta, Maltsev, LOC, Compher, Bowers and Olausson (who is going to the OHL). @richard88 has a real good opening night roster post, and MacDermid is a pylon. For me if the season started right now the opening night imo would be:
Landy MacK Mikko
Nichushkin Kadri Burakovsky
Ranta Newhook Jost
Helm Compher LOC

Byram Makar
Girard EJ
Murray Jack Johnson

Kuemper
Francouz

Maltsev
MacDermid (it shouldn’t but they are going to do it)

I agree with that, but the only reason I did not put him in was bc I can't see him on wing. Just doesn't compute in my mind. Maybe Bo has a regular roster spot over Kurtis.

If MacDermid plays over Byram, the entire front office needs to be fired - taking a guy who is already a 2nd-pair level D in favor of a guy who can't play NHL level D just because he's big and scary is unconscionable and indefensible.