A couple comments (THRILLED TO BE DEBATING CANES HOCKEY AGAIN!):
--The defense. At least on the blue line the team is definitely built to win some 6-5 and 5-4 games. One positive is that they are built to handle this in net. Ward is pretty much and unrattleable (surely that isn't a word but you get the point) veteran at this point. He could lose 6-5 on Sun, 5-4 on Tue and show up for a Wed or Thu game no worse for wear mentally. Not sure he will enjoy it, but he will be fine.
I think the key to balancing this is Gleason and Harrison. With Allen gone, they are the only 2 likely to see much ice time who fit the defense-first mold. They need to stay healthy and log a lot of the hard minutes (i.e. PK) for the team to be good enough defensively.
--Ruutu. His loss really hurts. The team is heavier on top 6 LW options (Skinner, Jokinen and EStaal as options and really only Semin left on the right side) and also heavier on skill than physical play and grit. Again from the guys listed only Ruutu really brings the grit and jam to the wing.
There are a bunch of options to fill in Ruutu's spot, but I think someone like Dalpe has a huge opportunity coming into camp in mid-season form.
- CarolinaMatt63
yup, my guess is we start with Tlusty - Staal - Semin
Skinner - Staal - Dalpe
Bowman - Jokinen - Larose
Wallace - Brent - Dwyer
other possibles Nodl, Stewart, Samson, Sutter