So, what are our top 13 forwards and what do we need?

[Stephen]

Within the realm of a realistic acquisition, feels like we need an offensive contributor who could slot slightly below Kerfoot and somewhere above Jarnkrok, and if they brought an extra physical or defensive dimension, that would be perfect.

 

[Notsince67]

Hard to deny this. If Simmonds and Clifford don't make the team who's going to protect our pretty boys?

I agree and lw is pretty weak as usual.
Platoon either Nylander or Jarnkrok as LW for some games, and bring Simmons into the line up to balance the right. Roberson will require some sheltering anyway. 2nd line also just won't work. Kerfoot needs to play down in the lineup.

 

[DragoGrizzly]

So pretty sure our PP1 stays the same:

Matthews-Tavares-Nylander
Rielly-Marner

Really struggling to figure out what our PP2 will look like. As of now is it something like:

Engvall-Kerfoot-Bunting
Muzzin/Lily - Sandin/Robertson (if he makes it)/Gaudettte

Really think another trade or move is going to happen as I don’t see us going into the year with a PP2 like that.

 

[ACC1224]

So pretty sure our PP1 stays the same:

Matthews-Tavares-Nylander
Rielly-Marner

Really struggling to figure out what our PP2 will look like. As of now is it something like:

Engvall-Kerfoot-Bunting
Muzzin/Lily - Sandin/Robertson (if he makes it)/Gaudettte

Really think another trade or move is going to happen as I don’t see us going into the year with a PP2 like that.

Just play PP1 for the full two minutes like the good teams do.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

So pretty sure our PP1 stays the same:

Matthews-Tavares-Nylander
Rielly-Marner

Really struggling to figure out what our PP2 will look like. As of now is it something like:

Engvall-Kerfoot-Bunting
Muzzin/Lily - Sandin/Robertson (if he makes it)/Gaudettte

Really think another trade or move is going to happen as I don’t see us going into the year with a PP2 like that.

Michael Bunting
Calle Jarnkrok – Joey Anderson/Pierre Engvall – Denis Malgin
Rasmus Sandin or Mark Giordano or Timothy Liljegren

Jarnkrok takes the draws. Depending on the setup they want, they may use Jarnkrok in the bumper (like he was used in Seattle) with Engvall on the left flank or they may use him on the left flank with Bunting and Anderson handling the middle.

 

[DragoGrizzly]

Michael Bunting
Calle Jarnkrok – Joey Anderson/Pierre Engvall – Denis Malgin
Rasmus Sandin or Mark Giordano or Timothy Liljegren

Jarnkrok takes the draws. Depending on the setup they want, they may use Jarnkrok in the bumper (like he was used in Seattle) with Engvall on the left flank or they may use him on the left flank with Bunting and Anderson handling the middle.

I thought of Jarnkrok but I didn’t think his face off prowess was good enough. But looking at it now it’s better than Kerfoot so probably makes the most sense.
You’ve been pretty high on Anderson for a while now, do you think he makes the main roster out of camp? I’ve often wondered why he hasn’t been given more of a chance.

 

[123offtheglass]

2LW followed by a much better 4th line.

2LW is waiting for Knies or Robertson to grab once they're ready, until then a stopgap is the cost efficient way to go.

4th line makes the most sense to improve upon if/once it fails. Kubel is a good 4th line wing to start with; hopefully a Marlies winger like Anderson pans out there or there's Knies if he signs before playoffs, but they'll need to acquire at least a solid 4th line center.

 

[darrylsittler27]

So, I don't think this group of forwards are better than last years. It's upto to our improved defense and how the Goalies pan out now. We need Knies to jump into the top 6 and that 4th line needs to get much better at something.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I thought of Jarnkrok but I didn’t think his face off prowess was good enough. But looking at it now it’s better than Kerfoot so probably makes the most sense.
You’ve been pretty high on Anderson for a while now, do you think he makes the main roster out of camp? I’ve often wondered why he hasn’t been given more of a chance.

At this point, I think it would be stupid if they didn't make it his job to lose. He is not waiver exempt unlike most other guys, he was the top goal scorer on the Marlies and one of the best younger guys in the entire AHL (although Robertson would have passed him if he played more games), he brings value at both ends of the ice, and he brings the kind of "toughness" that is actually useful. Whether he plays on the 4th line or the 2nd line, I think he fits better than any other prospect we currently have, and if he does end up sucking, then he at least bought some more development time for Alex Steeves, Nick Robertson, or Matthew Knies to take his spot. The former two especially could probably stand to add a few more reps at the AHL level this year before cracking the NHL lineup at some point in the middle of this year, or early next year.