Obviously the lines will change throughout the season, but this is what I can see on opening night.
Forwards
1. Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
At least until Buch messes up or something.
2. Panarin-Chytil-Kakko
Panarin will be the playmaker, and I can definitely see Chytil develop into a very good goal-scoring 2C with Panarin on his wing. I also think Kakko will be a bit better than Kravtsov right out of the gate.
3. Namestnikov-Strome-Kravtsov
Not ecstatic about placing Kravtsov with Strome or Vlad, but he can pass the puck to two guys who have pretty good shots. Kravtsov also has a good shot so I don’t know.
4. Howden/Nieves - Nieves/Howden - Lemieux
Howden’s defense can make up for Lemieux’s poor defense. Nieves is pretty much a jack of all trades, master of none, so I would like to keep him on the 4th line. I put Howden over Andersson here only because I think Andersson has a bit more upside, and would be better if he was in the AHL. Truthfully, I wouldn’t put either on the 4th line. If/when they’re ready to play in the top 9, then I would drop Namestnikov and/or Strome. If not, then they should be in the AHL. And I’m not sure if they’re ready just yet.
Defense
1. Skjei-Trouba
I think it starts that way, but I’m not sure if it lasts. Skjei-DeAngelo might be put back together. Skjei-Fox could be very interesting as well, as their skills seem to complement each other.
2. Staal-DeAngelo
Bad skater and good skater. Defensive d-man and offensive d-man.
3. Hajek-Fox
Good skater and slower (though agile) skater. Defensive d-man and offensive d-man. Two rookies on the same pairing worries me, but Hajek is poised and Fox is very smart. And the only other option I could see is putting Staal with Fox, but that pairing would lack speed.
Goalies
1. Lundqvist
2. Georgiev
Bench: Fast, McKegg, Smith
Maybe Lettieri can beat out McKegg.