Tragedy brings change. As the team is undecided and will be mourning, the coaching staff will have their hands full deciding what the lines will be. This is my first public crack at projecting this

Forward Line One

LW - Boone Jenner

The leader. Is locked to top six.

C - Sean Monahan

The guardian angel. Is locked to top six.

RW - Justin Danforth

Either him or Marchenko will be here. Marchenko makes more sense with the chemistry built last season with the other young Russian guns. This whole line could be line two or three.

Forward Line Two

LW - Adam Fantilli

Could be flipped to center but Silly is a more natural center.

C - Cole Sillinger

Him paired the Michigan kids would be so fun and could boost his numbers.

RW - Kent Johnson

Michigan magic with Fantilli would be magical.

Forward Line Three

LW - Yegor Chinakov

Got the extension and keeps line-mates with most success

C - Dmitry Voronkov

Full Russian Line

RW - Kirill Marchenko

Gets his line-mates on bigger money deal

Forward Line Four

LW - Sean Kuraly

Pin to the fourth line and don’t take him out. Great at faceoffs and penalty kill.

C - Dylan Gambrell

The original odd man out is now here full time.

RW - Mathieu Olivier

The enforcer.

Defensive Pair One

LD - Zach Werenski

Easy ace. Best defender in franchise history

RD - Damon Severson

The supporting cast. Still needs to prove himself on the contract Kekalainen gave him.

Defensive Pair Two

LD - Ivan Provorov

Could be moved at the deadline, a solid Top 4 defender

RD - David Jiricek

He needs every minute owed back to him after the past season or so being thrown back and forth. Keep. Him. Here.

Defensive Pair Three

LD - Jordan Harris

The new guy. Thanks Laine. $1.4M hit this season only. Will have to compete for his slot. Most threat.

RD - Erik Gudbranson

The veteran leader on the backend. Sure, some will say overpaid but that is also the cost of great character.

Goaltenders

Starter - Elvis Merzlikins

Stuck and has to play out

Backup - Daniil Tarasov

Needs to be the starter. He’s at the age to prove it. Needs all the minutes.

Spares

F Gavin Brindley

Fantilli’s best friend. Played the final game of last season in the lineup. May start in Cleveland.

D Jack Johnson

The veteran has been bumped due to the Laine deal. Extra defensive depth is never a bad thing. Will be on the main roster all year with his cup ring.

G Jet Greaves

First goalie call up.

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