I really agree with your lines and rationale. I could see Kravtsov on the second PP unit instead of Blais as Trocheck can provide that net-front presence. I would also like to see them utilize Reaves more sparingly and put in someone with a little more speed/skill against faster teams.

I do think Vesey gets a contract because honestly why not, he just adds some depth. I think he is a better version of Hunt too.

Kravvy's main skill is scoring goals, that's what he's been working on with Panarin, so you're solution is to put him with Kreider, a goal scorer, and Zibanejad.. another goal scorer? I mean I know Zibanejad is an underrated passer and last year he was great as a playmaker, but he's still one of our top goal scorers, why would you put them all on the same line instead of keeping Kravtsov with Panarin? Yes, that line has struggled a bit, but you can't just completely throw a good concept out because it didn't work in a few pre-season games, especially not when Trocheck is still getting used to the Rangers system and Kravtsov just came from the KHL.

Blais is not a top 6 forward, I don't understand why we should keep trying to have him there. Sure he has a bit of offense, but he isn't top 6 caliber. We don't wanna be stuck in another Dryden Hunt situation

The 4th line is good, but I'd rather see Vesey as the 13th or 14th forward over Gauth or Hunt.

Ideally, the team would look like this:

Kreider/Laffy - Zibanejad - Kreider/Laffy
This line did work for parts of last season. I know in a few games their underlying numbers weren't great, but I feel like it just needs some time. I would probably try Kreider on the RW with Laffy on the left, as Kreider has played well on the right before. Laffy, especially on the left, would probably suit that line well. He is more of a playmaker than Kravtsov and has a ton of talent to help drive the line. Especially after seeing how he played in the playoffs last season, I could absolutely see that line doing very well

Panarin - Trocheck - Kravtsov
My mentality with this line is to just give it time. Trocheck and Kravtsov are both shoot-first players, Panarin is a pure playmaker. Panarin and Kravtsov seem to have a good friendship and could easily form a pretty good duo, Trocheck is more defensive and might stay back a little and let Panarin and Kravtsov do the work up front. Kakko might also be a good option for this line, and if we're breaking up the kid line anyway, seeing Kakko in the top 6 would be nice.

Vesey/Blais - Chytil - Kakko
Preferably, I do want to keep Chytil and Kakko together. They played great together in the playoffs, Kakko often played the net front and behind the net, he showed good playmaking too, while Chytil played like a true goal scorer. Vesey has been very good in the preseason, he's definitely earned a contract and probably a roster spot. I think he could complete that 3rd line. Blais is another option, Goodrow could also fill in, but towards the end of the season, I'd have Othmann take that LW spot.

Goodrow - Carpenter/Rydahl - Reaves/Blais
There are probably 6 or 7 forward that would fit on the 3rd line, but ideally this line would be Goodrow - Rydahl - Blais with either Hunt or Carpenter as the 13th forward

Good summation and in agreement. Laffy has earned the chance to get 1L minutes and has the quick playmaking skills to fit with KZ. Kakko is underrated as a playmaker and he does well with a finisher like Chytil when he is not overshadowed. CK could become like KZ. Definitely 2nd line concept is strong, stick with it. Give Blais a role on 3rd line and develop his offensive upside with CK and let Goodrow lead 4th line and be the floater. Reaves will be part-time and I am not sold on Vesey, he can be streaky, so I would like a better 13th forward option but there may not be a better alternative, maybe Rydahl and Carpenter eventually. Kostin hit the waiver wire, any thoughts?

Rydahl is probably the guy I'd like to see in the lineup the most out of the current 13th/14th forward contenders, but he got sent down, which was expected given he's waiver exempt. I agree that claiming another depth forward would be nice, given the amount of young/unproven players we're relying on.

The kids should definitely get more time, but I agree that I like the CK combo. They've already shown some good chemistry, especially in last years playoffs when on multiple occasions Kakko dished very nice passes to Chytil (some linked below), which is great to see. That combo complimented with someone like Blais or even Vesey could form a veery competent 3rd line, which in this case should get at least 15 mins of TOI per game.

In my opinion tho, the largest problem that needs addressing is the fact that our 7th defenseman is currently Libor Hajek, and after that I guess the next option is either Jarred Tinordi or Matthew Robertson, one of whom sucks and one of whom is far from NHL ready.

It would be great if Vesey works out, reproduce numbers from 2016-2019, and continue his PK skills would be nice.

Juuso Välimäki is on the waiver wire. Prefer him as 7th D for $1,550,000?

Kaut for $863,333 is also on waivers.