I think we have 5 top 6 spots pretty much locked up with;
Wheeler, Little, Scheif, Ehlers and Perro.
Then we have a few more guys that I think are almost guaranteed to be on next seasons roster which are;
Stafford, Armia, Lowry, and Thorburn.
So that leaves one top 6 roster spot open and three bottom 6 roster spots open and anywhere from 1-2 pressbox spots for forwards. So in total about 5 to 6 spots that are up for grabs. I think Peluso is likely penciled in for 1 PB spot so that leaves 4 roster spots and maybe 1 more PB spot for forwards.
So then we have Burmi, Dano, Petan, De Leo, Kosmachuk, Copp, Lipon, Lemieux, Lodge and Olsen and possibly Connor and Halischuk trying to obtain one of those 4 roster spots.
I'd say the forwards grouping likely looks like this..
Perreault -Little - Wheeler
??? -Scheifele - Ehlers
Stafford - ??? - Armia
Lowry - ??? - Thorburn
I think the if we win one of the 3 lotto spots that Stafford should be dealt at the draft for pick(s) and one of Matthews or the Fins will slot into the bottom 6 to start the season.
If Connor signs he can play where Stafford is above and work his way into the top 6.
TC is going to be more fun than it has ever been next year. It could be quite the dog fight for that top 6 winger spot. The nice thing is Ehlers can play either side comfortably so it won't matter who it is but anyone can play up in there. If we get Matthews he likely centers the 3rd line to start the season. Then we have a good mixture of bottom 6/PB spots and if management moves away from Thor then we have even more. Our depth will be young but very good.