With camp opening today, here's a where we are and what needs to be decided in camp.
Forwards:
By my count, 10 forwards are locks. The top 9 seems to be set with Bergeron, Krejci, Marchand, Eriksson, Spooner, Beleskey, Hayes, Connolly and Pastrnak filling up those spots. Who ends up playing where is another story. 63 and 37 will play together, that much we know. The rest is up for grabs, and Julien's combo's will be worth monitoring through the preseason. Chris Kelly is my 10th "lock." He'll likely center the 4th line. Max Talbot and Shithead probably have the inside track on filling out that line, but hopefully Kemppainen and some of the young kids like Brian Ferlin and Seth Griffith can push for a spot. Maybe Khokhlachev pushes, but he doesn't seem like a 4th line guy and I'd assume he's on the bus to Providence.
Defense
Lots to be decided here. They have 7 NHL D under contract and requiring waivers. Chara, Seidenberg, Krug, McQuaid, K. Miller, Irwin and Trotman. Who plays with who is one storyline. I also think there are jobs to be won if someone like Colin Miller or Joe Morrow impresses enough. C. Miller probably has the best chance at breaking through (god it would be so easy if they didn't have one of McQuaid or K. Miller). My guess is the team opens with the original 7, and Miller starts in Providence, but we'll see.
Goalie
We have 4 guys vying for the backup job. Gustavsson is unsigned, but has the most NHL experience. Jeremy Smith is back after having a very good year in Providence. .933 save percentage in 39 games a year ago for the Baby B's. Then of course we have the kids, Malcolm Subban and Zane McIntyre. Subban's 1 NHL appearance was a fiasco and McIntyre is entering his first pro season out of college. My guess is Smith has the inside track to the backup job, and the idea is the 2 kids share the net in Providence, at least to start the season. It's a bit of an about face from their original plan of wanting a true backup to avoid a Svedberg like disaster, but that seems to make the most sense. Subban probably has the best chance at overtaking Smith with a strong camp, IMO.
Anyways, good to have hockey back.