Support cast
It\'s hard to say without knowing how many teams in the league, how many players dressed, and how soon you are planning to compete.
The short-term situation of many of these will also be clearer after free-agency starts because many of these are close and could get a chance on teams that aren\'t too deep, and a few are so close that if their teams don\'t leave a roster spot for them it is cause for concern.
Particularly to watch:
Bergenheim - The Islanders will have both top-6 LW spots open, with Bergenheim, Comeau, and Bentivoglio in the mix for them in camp. Watch to see if they land seasoned help there via trade/free-agency, and also watch what Bergenheim\'s new contract is (he is RFA) - one-way or more than year are good signs.
Kontiola, Davis - Stuck in a deep C line, though Sharp can be moved to wing. Watch to see if they trade Havlat or Lang and whether they bring FAs to fill their spots. Kontiola is closer than Davis.
Chipchura - Next in line to inherit Smolinski\'s spot in the line up, unless they go to free agency for that.
Wheeler, Brule, Anisimov, Korpikovski - Their teams are all up in the air now, so you can\'t project where they are until the dust settles. Dubinsky\'s solid season is a set back for Anisimov, Wheeler will have a shot in camp, if the Jackets bring in UFAs to complete the top-2 lines without Brule it\'s a disconcerting sign. Wheeler and Anisimov may actually require another year of seasoning. These 4 also strike me as the ones with the highest upside in the bunch.
Regin, Daugavins, O\'brien - Watch to see whether and who do the Sens sign, and for how long. That\'ll tell you whether and when do these players figure in their plans, though I think the Sens would rather not rush either of the three, and I\'m not sure either is ready. Same for Bourret in NYR.
Rebulding in two lifetime keepers, squads to follow ...