That Johnson-Manson pairing needs to be split up. Too slow, easily exploited

I could see a prospect make the opening night roster, at least for a few games.

I think they are going to slow play it and cherry pick someone like they did with E-rod. I wonder if they give OO a run at the start of the season.

OO would need an EXCEPTIONAL training camp to make a run onto this roster. Foudy and Pavel and probably Wagner are ahead of him on that pecking order right now.

I’m really thinking Foudy would make a lot of sense being more of a playmaker to Colton and woods scoring touch. I’m really high on Colton taking a big step this year in our system as well. I can see a 20-20 season from him for sure. Would give us flexibility at the deadline as well.

Drouin 65+ points next year

I agree with you there, but Manson has to start on the bottom pairing and that would leave only JJ or MacDermid as his partner. I do not like any of those matchups. I would almost rather see us go five defensemen and play JJ on the PK or when the game is over.

I know Bednar is high on a couple of defensemen who played for the Eagles last year, so it's not out of the realm of possibility to see Hunt or another guy in the AHL in that spot. Save Mac for a forward and JJ as the seventh defenseman looks a lot better, even if Hunt isn't a big upgrade regarding speed.

That is my thinking with possibly Bailey or Comtois or someone like that

My money is on Heinen.

I wouldn't be mad at that at all