Last year the CBJ started with:
Wisniewski, Johnson, Tyutin, and Nikitin as locks, Erixon & Moore as the young fill-ins, and Aucoin as the old guy.
With a few injuries during the season at different times, the following guys were called up:
Prout
Savard
Goloubef
Holden
Savard had gotten talked to last year at the shortened camp about having to be better. He didn't look good last year in the 4 games he got to play - slow, indecisive, doesn't use his size very well (listed at 6'2" 219) 4 GP, -3, 1 SOG
Goloubef seemed to fit in fairly seamlessly as far as I can remember. (listed at 6'1" 195) 11GP, 1G, -3, 14 SOG
Prout (from at least my perspective) came out of nowhere. He was called up and basically "refused" to give up his spot as others came back. (listed at 6'3" 222) 28 GP, 1G 6A, +15, 16 SOG highest +/- on the team.
Changes:
Holden signed with the Avs this summer.
Moore was traded to the Rangers
Murray has come back from injury.
Aucoin remains unsigned (I think)
So the CBJ still have:
Wisniewski, Johnson, Tyutin, and Nikitin. The definitely want to keep Murray and Prout in the system (neither need to pass through waivers).
According to the CBJ beat writer (I have to take his word for things since I haven't watched the preseason games), none of Savard, Goloubef, Melart, or Erixon has really set himself above the others. Erixon did play 31 games last season so one could assume that he should have the inside track. Melart would be a big physical defensive d-man (who I completely forgot about).
It is interesting that Savard has played 6 of the 7 preseason games (trade bait?) while Goloubef has played only about half as many.