Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JVR-Grabo-Kadri
Kulemin-Connolly-MacA
Steckel-McClement-Frattin
(Lombardi) (Brown)
Gunnar-Phaneuf
Gards-Komi
Liles-Holzer
(Kostka)
Reimer
Scrivens
That's 23. Franson hasn't been signed so I didn't include him. If Mike f-ing Brown or Lombardi plays instead of Nazem Kadri then someone just kill me now.
I'd take Kadri over Connolly, MacA, and Lombardi (players he should be competing with).... Now that Carlyle is the head-coach I see no reason Kadri should be left in the minors, I think he is ready and I hope to see him make it to the NHL and prove all the nay-sayers.... been defending him for a while now.
Lupul/JVR - Bozak - Kessel
JVR/Lupul - Grabo - Kadri
Kulemin - McClement - Connolly/Frattin
Komarov - Steckel - Brown
(Gives us the best possible defensive line for our 3rd line along with a fourth line that can provide grit, forecheck, etc.)
First line: If defense is still bad and the offense isn't cutting it, switch Lupul with JVR so there's a little more defense and size.
As for defense, it's gonna be bad this year IMO. It might look improved under Carlyle, but our defense will be shaky this year (Very promising future though).
I hope we can trade Connolly, Lombardi (I think he could bounce back, but not good enough for our top 6), MacA, etc. for picks and I think our team will look a lot better in the next two years.