Agree that we don’t go after a big fish winger. Likely a Barbashev or Kunin or Puljujarvi type. I could also see Fitzy acquire a stop-gap dman as some seem cheap this year (at least until kids are ready).

I'd love Johnny Hockey but if we draft Slafkovsky and Holtz is the real deal, without Gaudreau our top 6 could look like this.

Slafkosvky-Hughes-Sharangovich
Bratt-Hischier-Holtz

And I don't want Gaudreau's big cap getting in the way of these guys.

I've always liked Stastny as a player and he seemed to do pretty well last season but I think Tatar is kind of filling that same role on the team right now, I'd rather let Holtz or Zetterlund have a spot that they can both compete for.

If we're signing a veteran right shot D I'd rather just keep Subban over Braun, Braun would definitely bring a more physical element to the back end though, something that we're lacking and hoping that Bahl can become. I don't hate the idea of Braun on the team but if we could also target Klingberg, might be good insurance if Severson walks next year.

You're probably right about Johnsson being shipped out and it sounds like Zacha doesn't want to be around anymore and quite frankly, the Zacha experiment never quite worked out. What I'm hoping is that Fitz resigns him at a reasonable price like 2 year/$3.5 per and play him at 3C, if he still wants out we can trade him or he can wait until he's UFA in 2 years.

Anyway, you're probably on the right track as far as what the roster will look like.

Stastny might not bring the possession / transition game like Tatar but he can take face-offs and play a defensive role better than Tuna.

I think Zacha wants to play center and is getting crowded out here. I got a feeling we move him and he then takes it up a notch (kind of like Sam Bennett leaving Calgary).

I'd rather have Braun over Subban just for the simple fact he's better defensively and thats his game. Both Subban and Smith want to play offense and join the rush. Rather have Smith join the rush and Braun can protect the back end and mentor him a little better.

Plus it doesn't help that Zacha got passed on the depth chart by Mercer this year.

Regardless of who plays 3rd pairing right D I wouldn't mind Smith at least starting the year in the minors to hone his game, play him 20+ a night, PK, PP, everything. Let him figure it out. It may hurt his ego but he probably should have started his pro career down there, might as well do it while he isn't waiver eligible (Pretty sure he isn't yet while on his elc). Let Bahl, Ok, or Muk get a shot on LD.

I don't hate that idea. But once again after being up with the big club for 2 seasons, I think that'll hurt his confidence a little more.