I'll make my predictions on the answers to your questions...
1. This team needs a 2nd line C, he needs to find one internally, through the draft, trade or UFA. Current in house options are Kovar, Nelson and Beauvillier
With Kovar, Filppula, and eventually Nelson under contract, Lou feels like he's got the 2nd line center question dealt with from within. It'll likely be Nelson or Kovar's job to lose. Filppula could surprise us as he was a long-time #2 in Detroit and has played for 2 successive teams where he didn't necessarily have to take on a #2 role, particularly in his last 2 seasons in Tampa. And especially in Philly.
Let's not forget that his past 3 seasons have still seen him put up 31, 42, and 33 points respectively. It's not like he's a 15-point 4th liner.
Of course, once Brock's contract is known, that's when trade talk can pick up. That it may come down to arbitration (as opposed to ALL the other RFAs) is, for me, a sign that the organization will be very ready to move Brock.
2. This team still needs two top six defensemen. Ditto above with options being Toews, Aho, Wotherspoon and Quienneville (Dobson/Wilde too far away)
I think few in the organization feel this current team needs two more top 6 defensemen.
We fans are all hoping for at least one, but we may need to temper our expectations for now.
Lou and Trotz will be changing the culture, but pure SC competitiveness does not seem to be the ultimate goal right now. This season is likely a season of transition on several fronts and part of that transition will be seeing what we actually have, particularly on the blueline.
Don't forget that Trotz went into camp last fall with Washington having only 4 NHL Dmen of note. They threw Bowey and Djoos into the mix with Chorney being a bubble player. Trotz dealt with that group of 7, plus Aaron Ness for a cup of tea, all the way up to the deadline. Then Kempny and Jerabek were added. He's not new to this situation.
I can EASILY see Lou doing exactly the same thing. Toews and Aho make Dmen 7 & 8. Go with that group of 8 guys until the blueline proves to be an acute problem. If things are working out by the trade deadline and the team actually looks like it could make some noise with a bit of improvement, then Lou will go out and get it. Seems like an OK plan to me, especially with the gut feeling that Dobson is a regular in 2019/20. But all is clear that this is NOT a plan for instant success.
This said, I still think the most likely course of action, if a move is made before the season, will be seeing Nelson moved for another top 4 Dman.
3. This team still needs a starting goaltender. Internal options include Lehner, Greiss and Soderstrom
Not much of an open issue. Lehner and Greiss will likely split the duties, with Lehner getting 60% of the starts.
Can't see an alteration to that plan without injury or until Soderstrom forces his way in.
Personally, I think adding Mitch Korn (if we do so) would mean 7-10 more wins this season than will otherwise be the case.