With what we have now:
Maxpac - Briere - DD
Chucky - Eller - Gallagher
Bourque - Pleks - Gionta
Prust - White - Diaz / Moen /Parros
Really our problem is on the RW. Teams are able to lock us down because there is always a small guy coming from there. We don't have a size problem we have a size problem on the RW.
If we widen the option list a bit, we have Gallagher, Gionta, Briere, DD, Leblanc, Collberg. I believe this creates an opportunity for Leblanc, while not a lot stonger than others, he plays with some sandpaper and could be part of the answer. Could Bourque play RW with consistency is the second question. Then you could have something like.
Maxpac - Briere - Bourque
Chucky - Eller - Gallagher
DD - Pleks - Leblanc
Prust - White - Gionta / Moen / Diaz
This is very different lineup in behavior to what we had last year. I think DD is better sheltered with Pleks, and Leblanc could really change the big picture(he needs a huge camp). Suddenly we also have a strong 4th line. I just don't want to see Moen again used in an offensive role just because of his size. Notice that I'm not trading anyone because that is the unlikely scenario. When Collberg is ready on the RW, McCarron will also be ready imo, so I'm less worried about that part of the future on the RW. Leblanc needs to play, he's the biggest positive change we can make if he plays within his limits, at talent level.
Don't count Hudon out either. He could be the big surprise this year, I've been impressed with how his talent scales at every level.
Tinordi - Subban
Markov - Emelin
Beaulieu - Gorges
Diaz
I know the Beaulieu inclusion is aggressive, I think it's needed, we might lose Markov by the end of next season, or at the deadline, Id rather have some miles in a guy that could replace him. Tinordi with Subban, give me a break, he needs to play a lot and now. With Subban playing 30 min with PP time, that will give about 18-20 min to Tinordi because you can use Gorges at the end of the games.