This is very doable and it will come down to improving our zone exits and our puck possession time and a far more consistent PP.
With a better PP, all of our better players will experience an uptick in point production, but it is also securing that they can produce at even strength. Come playoff time, when we make the postseason again, with the refs hiding those whistles firmly behind their jockstrap cups again, even strength production will be crucial.
I can't imagine Caufield NOT scoring 14 more goals in 38 games after scoring 26 in 44 games.
I also can't imagine Suzuki not surpassing the 70-point mark this season if everyone he plays with stay healthy.
The question will be who plays RW with Caufield and Suzuki? I have no qualms about reuniting each with Caufield and Suzuki to start the year and build confidence in all three forwards from the get-go.
Monahan is the key to this equation.
If he stays healthy, he's likely traded by the deadline and a confident, productive Dach ends the year at C. The following year, Dach starts atC with, perhaps, Beck earning the 3rd pivot role and providing some solid two-way strength behind Dach with legitimate offensive upside for the third line.
If Monahan gets injured before the trade deadline, Dach returns to C quicker is all.
Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Newhook - Monahan - Anderson
Slafkovsky - Dvorak - Gallagher/Heineman
RHP - Evans - Heineman/Gallagher
Armia, Ylonen, Pezzetta
I like the idea of having matching speed between Newhook and Anderson on the Monahan line, with Newhook enough of playmaker and shooter to keep the opposing D honest during two on ones.
I also like the idea of Heineman to replicate a chemistry that RHP had with Anderson. In fact, I see Heineman as a more complete line mate for RHP, with a lot of the same positive attributes that Anderson brings; speed, physicality, shot.