Why on earth is Rasmussen a scratch? He's a lock for 3rd line center or 2nd line winger

DeBrincat - Larkin - Raymond
Berggren - Compher - Perron
Copp - Rasmussen - Sprong
Fischer - Veleno - Kostin

I think Ras's days as a full time C are done. Looked like a forechecking 2nd line LW last year. I could see him paired up with Compher to give them 2 Cs, one on each hand (Ras as the lefty, Compher as the righty). That would be the ultimate shutdown line late in games.

I'd say there's less than a 5% chance that they put Raymond and DeBrincat on the same line. They're too similar of players and both need to be paired with strong defensive partners.

If you slide Copp to the wing:
DeBrincat-Larkin-Copp
Rasmussen-Compher-Raymond

If you keep Copp at center:
DeBrincat-Larkin-Perron
Rasmussen-Compher-Raymond

Also, having Ras as a scratch - ridiculous.

In the same situation I think Copp could out perform Compher for the 2C spot.