Foote - Jack - Mercer
Palat - Haula - Noesek
Bratt - Hischier -Meier
Cotter - Lazar - Bastian
MacDermid
Siegs - Hamilton
Dillon - Pesce
Luke - Nemec
Kovacevic
DeSimone
Markanen
Allen
Daws
Poulter
Obviously they need a legit LW to play with either Hischier or Jack since Meier prefers the right side. I think Bratt is versatile enough he can fill on either wing. Hoping Mercer improves isn't farfetched. They can easily squeeze another $775k if they demote DeSimone. They need about that much to extend Foote. They can probably go long term with Mercer if they want or bridge him since they have over $6 mil left. Signing Luke will be tricky. Having Gritsyuk join on an ELC after his KHL season ends could potentially be a bit game changer.
I see little chance both of Foote and Bastian are on the opening night roster, and an even smaller chance both are in the opening night lineup, unless there were some injuries in the preseason. One of them? Yes. Both? Highly doubt it.
@ me if I'm wrong on this, but I think Foote has to have a big preseason if he's gonna be on the opening night roster. Maybe he's an extra forward on the opening night roster, so they don't have to waive him.
But in my mind Bastian or Foote would be the first to go if we add another forward. And by first to go, I don't mean first to go in a trade back for a potential acquired forward, but first to go off the roster to make room. Whether that's in a trade back or to the minors/waivers.