After watching him in his limited time last year, I really really like him. He’s a smart player with some offense and is a natural defender without losing offense. PLEASE get him some more ice time!
He got different opportunities last year...a chance to play the wing on Lowry's line...last game of the year with Nino and Chibrikov set up a nice goal fir the rook with some good down low work.
He was good on the draw last year which will get him some opportunities, good on the PK...If Arniel makes some changes to the forward group while maintaining a 4 line structure, I'd like to see
Connor-Scheif-Perfetti
Ehlers-Lambert-Namestnikov (best skating line in the West)
Barron-Lowry-Valardi (give the Cap some offensive opportunities too)
Nino-Gus-Apples
That would be a balanced attack. And I think Gustafsson might be at the point of Barron like breakout with some opportunity.