Koepke, Goncalves or Merela all good chances to get a nod ahead of ABB. There's a lot of competition for those bottom 6 spots.

As the year goes on probably. I wonder if JBB risks losing some others on waivers though. All three you mentioned are waiver exempt so I can see them starting in the minors.

ABB should be ahead of all the other names mentioned, at least to start. He was better than both Goncalves and significantly better than Koepke, who did nothing with Tampa last year before Cirelli came back and then was mediocre in Syracuse. Goncalves should certainly compete though for any available spot. Merela could also sneak in with his success in Finland the last couple seasons, but ABB should still currently be 1st in line heading into camp and preseason.