I don't see how having Galchenyuk on the team can contribute to most important task: the rebuild.
The priority is to maximize trade value at the deadline of the players we'd like to deal, as we're not making any noise in the playoffs this year, and to maximize the development of young players.
Forwards:
Pacioretty-DD-Bourque (minutes as easy as last year's)
Plekanec-Eller-Cole
Armstrong-Gomez-Gionta
Prust-Noke-Moen
Spares and injury replacements: White, Leblanc
The above is a forward lineup that maximizes any potential trade value for Bourque and Armstrong. It also allows Eller to take the next step up. It also puts Gomez in a position to succeed, meaning we could conceivably extract a 3rd rounder from him at the end of the year if he bounces back and gets 30 points as the 3rd line center. I remind everyone that Gomez has a cap hit exceeding his salary by 3 million dollar next year.
Defense:
Markov-Subban
Kaberle-Gorges
Bouillon-Emelin
spares: Diaz, Weber
This is a defensive lineup that puts Andrei Markov in a protective position to succeed, as he will be covered by the best defensemen on the team, giving him room to grow back. Kaberle-Gorges is a good pairing at both ends of the ice, and they compensate for each other's weaknesses, meaning we could flip Kaberle for a 1st rounder. Bouillon-Emelin can be the shutdown pairing.
Okay, first of all it looks like the CBA will allow for one contract buyout, so you can say good-bye and good riddance to Scott Gomez and his $7.3 million dollar cap hit.
Without a signed CBA there are also some other factors that will have to be assumed that could affect the lineup.
1) The cap for the 2012-2013 season is expected to be between 62 - 70 million dollars, but a safe assumption is that both DD and Subban will be signed.
2) With a 48 game schedule, you're not going to have time to "experiment" much with the lineup: Mr. Molson has lost a ton of revenue and making the playoffs would be higher on his list than a normal season in my opinon.
3) We don't know the Therrien factor; will the coach keep the #1 line in tact, or will he try and find the scoring depth that we so sorely lacked last season.
4) To get some more fan interest, I think one of either Gally or Gallagher will make the team (personally I think a year in their respeive leagues would do more for them)
So with these assumptions, I'm going with the following, but I am sure it will change often:
Patches ---- DD --- Cole (Proven line, short schedule, need them to produce like last year)
Bourque --- Pleky ---- Gionta ( Pleky and Gio are keys to the offense this year; need more from them)
Gally --- Eller -- Armstrong (A little selfish here; but Gally and Eller would be interesting to see)
Moen --- White --- Prust (A good energy line with some sandpaper)
Noki is the 13th forward
Each line has some size, but I could see Bourque and Gally switch lines as the year progresses or even Gionta moving down to play with Gally and Eller for a veteran presence and spreading out the scoring.
Whatever happens.... at least we'll be talking about hockey ON the ice.... say a prayer!
