on our side of things. since we are in somewhat direct competition for the last wild card spot already and the puck hasn't even dropped ...
our top line of Holloway Thomas Neighbours is the one we are happiest about. Neighbours is a born captain and is the new core's leader, he drags the team to the front of the net, this is a player whose jersey I will probably get next. Thomas emerged as a true 1C last year but had a ridiculous defensive skew to his deployment compared to other scoring centers, the hope is that Faksa can draw some of his harder defensive minutes and free him up. Holloway we last saw in the Final playing well, and he is motivated.
The next couple lines are grim. Texier is a newbie (Saad is on paternity leave), Buchnevich is not a natural center though they have a good record with him there, and Kyrou is one of my least favorite Blues in 50 years. Kapanen on the third line is an indication we have no depth. Schenn looked washed last year and we are all awaiting that moment, and Joseph is another newcomer from Ottawa. So unenthused about these two lines.
4th line is ok - Toropchenko Faksa Walker but just ok
Leddy Parayko is a contender's second pair and it's our top pair. Broberg Faulk and Suter Kessel is an opportunity for mentoring of Broberg and Kessel who we hope are going to be real pieces going forward.
Binnington - I love him and one day we are going to be friends. He did the one thing. He simply did it. I always will owe him. He is 5 wins from the all time franchise wins record, he knows it, and he wants it, and he starts out strong in regular seasons typically the first month+. Hofer is also a legit potential NHL starter as a backup.