I think Kaliyev and Byfield make their way onto the LA roster next year, which will be a huge win. Our first line is probably going to stay the same, but I think something like this roster is realistic:
Iafallo - Kopitar - Brown
Kempe - Byfield - Kaliyev
Grundstrom - Anderson-Dolan - Vilardi
Andersson - Lizotte - Moore
In this scenario, we could go 7-3-1 and protect Kopitar, Kempe, Iafallo, Grundstrom, Andersson, Lizotte, and Moore.
With Turcotte, Kupari, Thomas, Madden, and Fagemo ready to jump into the lineup in the near future too, I wonder who ends up on the outside looking in? That whole fourth line? One more year left for Brown, does he retire?
Not sure what happens with Athanasiou, Wagner, Lemieux, or Frk either.
Will we ever see a top nine of:
Turcotte - Byfield - Kaliyev
Fagemo - Kopitar - Vilardi
Madden - Kupari - Thomas
I just want to see our prospects succeed for once!
My best guess
Iafallo -Kopitar - New Player
AA -Byfield -Vilardi
Kempe -JAD-Brown
Lemieux- Kupari- Moore
Extras: Wagner, Grundstrom, Lizotte
Bjornfot - Doughty
New Player - Roy
Anderson - Walker
Extra: Clague, Strand, MacD
Obviously someone is being drafted by Seattle but it's not going to have a major effect on the lineup, even if Clague isn't claimed they still need to get a 2nd pairing left-shot guy to pair with Roy. If Moore is claimed it's simply next man up between the extra forwards. If it's Walker then it's Strand.
I think atleast one and possibly both of the new players are FA's, but if a trade is made I don't expect anyone on my projected lineup to be included in either deal with the possible exception of Kupari. The Kings will be trading picks or Reign guys.
This is the year some training wheels have to come off and some younger guys start to establish themselves as potential difference makers.
Byfield has to be the 2C, it's not impossible guys, plenty of other highly touted teenagers have done it (and more) recently, it's a lot of pressure but he has a lot of skill.
Bjornfot has been very good but in year 3 it's time to really establish himself as Doughty's long-term partner. Sign or trade for a top 100 d-man to play with Roy and put Mikey on the third pair with Walker and suddenly you have the look of a defense that could be pretty good next year.
Kupari needs to establish himself as an NHL player this season and should be expected to win the 4th line job out of camp and grow from there. He doesn't have to be great right away, but he should be able to beat out Lizotte.
Kaliyev could easily win a 2nd line wing job out of camp but I think the hope would be that he has a dominant start to the year for Ontario and either pushes AA and Vilardi or is there if either guy falters or anyone gets hurt. I think we will see some flashes this coming season but the Arty party probably really gets rolling in 2022-2023.
I think AA and the Kings have a handshake agreement that will be signed after the expansion draft, no reason for Blake to not trade AA unless he planned on keeping him.
Wagner, Lemieux and Grundstrom are all proven NHL players under contract who likely have very little chance of being drafted by Seattle. Lizotte isn't under contract but will probably be tendered. Lizotte will be the 12th-14th best forward on this team, and that is cool. Lias will be the interesting one as far as the depth players, there is a chance as a former top 10 who has been pretty dominant in the AHL that Seattle could take him, but more than likely not. The Kings would probably have to give him a one-way to get him to play in North America. He's probably less than 50/50 to be back.