This team is set b/c the prospects aren't ready to play.
Luchanko and Bonk should go back to CHL, Barkey after mono has to, Sotheran, etc.
Guys like Bump are still in college.
Attard could push Risto, but Risto is an above 3RHD with a big contract they have to move, so that's a no brainer.
Abols, Rizzo have to outplay Laughton at 3C, while not a huge barrier, neither has yet to show they're NHL caliber.
Lycksell may make the team depending on the last roster spot. Deslauriers was the 13th forward by the end of the season, but 2 years left on his deal. Lycksell is the most NHL ready of the AHL players, his skating is the only thing holding him back. And Eklind is coming off a strong SHL showing, is much bigger (6-4 220) and only a year older.
Andrae has to beat out Zamula, who just got a 2 year deal, Seeler is their best defensive defenseman and paired with Drysdale, their worst defensive defenseman. Ginning is a scrub, could still on some NHL teams but if you lost him on waivers, meh.
Tuomaala, Desnoyers, Rizzo, Avon, Gendron, McDonald, could all use a season in the AHL to raise their game.
So there really is no conspiracy to hold prospects back, they extended Seeler and Hathaway b/c they're solid veterans who have no viable short-run replacements in the system.
Tippett - Frost - Michkov
Farabee - Couts - TK
Cates - Laughton - Foerster/Brink
??? - Poehling - Hathaway
Deslauriers, ???
York - Sanheim
Seeler - Drysdale
Zamula - Risto
Johnson, ???