No. 1: Forwards
Below is a list of the forwards invited to training camp:
- Mikhail Abramov, Michael Amadio, Joey Anderson, Adam Brooks, Michael Bunting, Rich Clune, Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, Curtis Douglas, Pierre Engvall, Kurits Gabriel, Pavel Gogolev, Nikita Gusev, Josh Ho-Sang, David Kampf, Ondrej Kase, Alex Kerfoot, Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, Ilya Mikheyev, William Nylander, Nick Robertson, Nick Robertson, Kirill Semyonov, Brett Seney, Wayne Simmonds, Jason Spezza, Alex Steeves, John Tavares
If you look through the list of forwards, there are a few names you’re probably unfamiliar with, but the majority of the roster is well known.
Joey Anderson, Adam Brooks and Nick Robertson are three names to keep an eye on as we get set for opening night. Although Brooks is a few years older than the other two, all three are still considered prospects, but are on the verge of being full-time NHLers.
The one name that I’m most intrigued about is Josh Ho-Sang. Will the former high draft-pick be dominant in training camp and vie for a roster spot, or will he continue to disappoint and find himself on the outside looking in?
Prediction:
- Nick Ritchie – Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner
- Michael Bunting – John Tavares – William Nylander
- Alex Kerfoot – David Kampf – Ilya Miikheyev
- Pierre Engvall – Jason Spezza – Wayne Simmonds
- Ondrej Kase – Nikita Gusev
If healthy, Kase can be effective and although he’s terrible defensively, having Gusev as a rotation player is important, since he can add depth scoring.
Unfortunately, Ho-Sang, Robertson, Anderson and Brooks will all have to start with the Toronto Marlies, unless there’s an injury.