RealGM

This is obviously not final lineups, but you get a good understanding of how this team differs from last years. To be honest, it doesn't look like we've gotten THAT much younger...

2007/08 - 2008/09

Player (Age) - Player (Age)

1C M.Sundin (36) - A. Steen(24)
1RW N.Antropov (27) - N.Antropov (28)
1LW J.Blake (34) - J.Blake (35)

2C M.Stajan (24) - M.Grabovski (24)
2RW A.Steen (23) - J.Tlusty (20)
2LW A.Ponikarovsky (27) - A.Ponikarovsky (28)

3C K.Wellwood (24) - M.Stajan (25)
3RW D.Tucker (32) - N.Hagman (28)
3LW C.Kilger (31) - N.Kulemin (23)

4C B.Devereaux (29) - B.Devereaux (30)
4RW M.Bell (27) - M.Bell (28)
4LW D.Moore (27) - J.Mayers (34)

XTRA J.Tlusty (19) - D.Moore (28)
XTRA W.Belak (31) - R.Hollweg (25)

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1RD Kaberle (29) - T.Kaberle (30)
1LD B.McCabe (32) - P.Kubina (31)

2RD P.Kubina (30) - M.Van Ryn (29)
3LD H.Gill (32) - J.Finger (28)

3RD C.Colaiacovo (24) - C.Colaiacovo (25)
3LD A.Stralman (21) - A.Stralman (22)

XTRA A.Wozniewski (27) - T.Frugren (28)
XTRA I.White (23) - I.White (24)
XTRA S.Kronwall (25) - S.Kronwall (26)

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1G V.Toskala (30) - V.Toskala (31)
2G A.Raycroft (27) - C.Joseph (41)

XTRA S.Clemmenson (31) - J.Pogge (22)

Nice post.

I think there is no way Tlusty and Kulemin aren't in the top 3 lines. Kulemin I think will be ROY material and will play on the top 2 lines, probably the top line with Sundin.

I think Moore centres the 4th line and Devereaux is without a chair when the music stops. I also think one of Antripov or Pony will be going somewhere else, possibly packaged with one of our surplus D (Whyte perhaps?) to get picks/prospects.

We have too many guys that are the same and we already know what Pony, Boyd, Antripov give us. We need to know what these other guys can do that haven't had a chance yet, so you will see them put in situations where they can either shine or not, and at least we'll know at that point.

IMO Tlusty needs to play for the Marlies. He needs big minutes on any team and is still relatively young. He's not physically ready for the NHL and I think we saw that (even though he did show some talent) last year. Kulemin on the other hand should be ready to jump into a top 9 role and I think he'd be best suited starting on the third line on the wing of Grabovsky and perhaps Hagman on the other wing (two guys to battle in the corners and put the puck in the net with a dangler in between).

I think Poni/White should be gone, but I think Antro will be playing an important role for the team next year, probably at 1st line C. I also see Jonas Frogren possibly sneaking into our top 6, I don't think the guy would come to North America without being assured of playing decent minutes on an NHL roster rather than being an extra. Devereaux being gone makes sense with our current depth and Hollweg could have an outside shot of cracking that 4th line.