Who would you like to see make the Devils' roster?

I wasn't planning to take up a fan-post, but oh well, I did...

Parise, Zajac, Langenbrunner, Elias, Kovalchuk and Arnott are very likely going to be the top-6 forwards on this team, and rightfully so, they are elite scoring lines that create offense in very different ways.  The ZZ-Pops line is a crash-the-net and go get the rebounds kind of line, expect lots of shots from everywhere with these guys, John MacLean emphasizes shoot-first all the time, I don't expect that to be any different as head coach.  The Kovy-Arnott-Elias line (which I assume will be named at some point mid-season) is the dynamic, "deke" line (what's the word for that that Doc always uses...). 

After the top-six, there are options.  The likely third line could be Rolston on the left and Zubrus either at center or RW if he is not traded, with David Clarkson as the best choice for RW on the third line.  I personally like Josefson at center, Lou has already said that he wants some of the young guys (such as Tedenby, Josefson, Urbom, Henrique...guys that have not seen NHL ice), or at least one, in the opening night lineup.  I would say Josefson has the upper hand on Tedenby as far as forwards are concerned, especially because the Devils still have a surplus of wingers, and a need for centers despite acquiring Arnott.  Looking ahead, I see Josefson stepping into the 2nd line center spot in the upcoming years.

So I assume Zubrus is out (even though I would argue pro-Zubrus here), and my third line would be Rolston-Josefson-Clarkson.  That line is a nice compliment to the top two lines, realizing that although Rolston's production is not what his salary suggests he should be, he's a third liner that could put 20 goals up in Johnny Mac's system.  Clarkson is a bonus as well, you can pencil him in for 15 goals with a 20-goal potential easily if he stays healthy.  Now should an injury occur to the top three lines (and we always seem to get hit hard early in the season), then I would like to see Zharkov get plugged into either the third line right wing position or fourth line.  Zharkov has shown signs of being a strong skating pass-first winger, and it's only a matter of time before he breaks out in the goal category.

My fourth line right now is PL3-Pelley-Zharkov, but as the season progresses, I would love to see Tedenby up in the NHL and Palmieri as well.  Again, we'll see if injuries allow opportunities for those guys.

As for defense, it's a little up-in-the-air in terms of how many spots will be available with Bryce Salvador's contract (will he be traded?).  As of right now, assuming Salvador is moved, we have Volchenkov, Greene, Tallinder, White and likely Fraser already almost guaranteed roster spots.  It's 5-6, though, that's anyone's guess.  Bryce could be in there, but Alexander Urbom, Matt Corrente, Tyler Eckford and Anssi Salmela are the top candidates as far as I would guess.  Fraser could be the 6/7 defenseman, but there is really one spot available.  Taormina and Merrill might make a case as well, but I would venture a guess that Urbom and Corrente have the upper hand for now.

We know the goaltending situation, it's Brodeur and Hedberg barring injuries.  I like the 65-game limit idea for Marty, let Hedberg get starts, even if we don't win the conference or division, it's worth saving Marty for the games that matter (just remember, the 7 and 8 seeds met in the ECF this season, 6 also beat 3 in the first round).  Plus, Hedberg can put up respectable numbers, I like the signing, although I wonder if we needed to spend $1.5M plus bonuses for his services for one year.


To sum it up, here's my mock-lineups ASSUMING the NHLPA wins the Kovalchuk arbitration hearing.  That's a big assumption, but nonetheless, here they are:

Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner (let them stay together for at least half the season no matter what...)

Kovalchuk - Arnott - Elias

Rolston - Josefson - Clarkson

LeBlond - Pelley - Zharkov

---------------------

Greene - Volchenkov (interchangable)

Tallinder - White

Fraser - Corrente (my 21st player would be a defenseman that could be plugged into the 5-6 combo, probably Salmela)

Looking at the lineup, you could make an arguement that we could have eight  20-goal scorers (Parise, Zajac, Langenbrunner, Kovalchuk, Arnott, Elias, Rolston, Clarkson) if everyone stays reasonably healthy.  All of those eight forwards have either scored 20+ recently or could have last season if they stayed healthy, and I don't think stats will take a hit under MacLean as they may have under Lemaire.

I am curious to hear everyone's thoughts.