Blomqvist is 100% the #3.
The #4 gets murky. It depends on if Larsson is going back to Europe. He's getting an extended look this camp and has done very well.
If he does, then Gauthier would backup in Wilkes, I'd imagine.
Yeah I'm pretty sold on him being 4th line quality. Doesn't take much in the NHL these days.
I think Larsson sits in the #3 spot actually, with how they see things I'm guessing. Which isn't a slight to someone like Blomqvist.
It's probably something like:
1. Jarry
2. Nedeljkovic
3. Larsson
4. Blomqvist
5. Murashov
6. Gauthier
Takes at least a $2 mill cap hit to be on our 4th line.
I think if he's slotted for the 4th line, I'd rather have him in WBS in that situation. This isn't like Jake the year he got his call up and spent time in the top 6 and with Cullen, that was a team that had just won the cup before and Jake got that opportunity after being insane in WBS. I'd like that same start for Rutger, so as not to ruin the lad immediately.
This is a non-playoff team that was trending towards it before it missed for consecutive seasons for the first time in Crosby's career. I don't think there's any rush to see what he can do immediately. Also WBS is going to be deep with young talent and having him there playing with other young talent would be good for him as well.