Hendrix Lapierre

But by my count, Hunter, and you can correct me if I'm wrong here, there are eight players vying for that one single spot.

By my count, I have Ville Koivunen, Elder Soderblom, Justin Brazzeau, Hendrix Lapierre, Philip Hollander, Rutger McSorley, Avery Hayes, and David Gustafson.

Hunter, this is how I see this going, at least how I see it going in the beginning.

The 12th spot is gonna go to Koivunen.

Time will tell what happens on the 13th forward spot.

I've s- said before, if I had to guess, it's gonna go to Justin Brazzeau.

Hendrix Lapierre is gonna be in there as well for maybe a 14th forward spot.

But this is the competition that I am really excited to see because there are a wide variety of players that could really win this job in the 13/14 forward spots, and it's gonna make for a really fun battle during camp.

He doesn't have difference maker speed.

And I think that's one of the reasons, for example, although there can't be a very long list of reasons, that this team thought it was a good move to sign Hendrix Lapierre, who doesn't score at all, isn't even a penalty killer, but he's a forward who just flies all over creation and creates mayhem.

Think of Blake Lizotte with arguably less skill.

That's who you're talking about.

He has the skill set to be able to play on the first line, and he has the ability to play on the fourth line with guys like Blake Lizotte and Connor Dewar.

He fits the mold more so than a guy like Billy Covenant, more so than a guy like Rutger McGroarty or Tristan Brose or Hendrix LaPierre.

There are other players down there that might get an opportunity to make their debut this season that would fit that fourth line role, but it's probably too early for them.

Guys like Tanner Howe, Bill Zonin.

He has the skill set to be able to play on the first line, and he has the ability to play on the fourth line with guys like Blake Lizotte and Connor Dewar.

He fits the mold more so than a guy like Billy Covenant, more so than a guy like Rutger McGroarty or Tristan Brose or Hendrix LaPierre.

There are other players down there that might get an opportunity to make their debut this season that would fit that fourth line role, but it's probably too early for them.

Guys like Tanner Howe, Bill Zonin.

They acquire Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tug, Vincent Deharnais, and Boone Jenner.

They end up losing Conrad McMichael, Brandon Duhame, and Hendrix Lapierre.

This team, what an offseason, man.

I think they

Even worse, he went to Pittsburgh.

and Hendrix Lapierre who again kind of along with Sonny he sort of needed to go he also went to Pittsburgh and we will be playing them one of our very first games I think it's like our second game um our home and our home opener is also against Pittsburgh so we will be seeing Van Riems like and Lapierre during the first couple of games against Pittsburgh um But the cool thing about all of this is Ted Leonsis and Chris Patrick, I mean, very clearly made a goal as far as spending that salary cap money.

Spend it.

Let's have a good season.

Like, right now I see about 10 to 11 forwards that are virtual locks for the opening night roster, and then the final one, like that 12th forward in the line-up, it's really a toss-up.

Him, Elmer Soderblom, Avery Hayes, Rucker McGroarty, Justin Breazeau, Hendrix Lapierre.

You know, it's gonna be race to the finish to see who gets that 12th forward spot in the line-up, and Koivunen's gonna have just as good of a shot as anyone else.

But, you know, as of right now, I, I don't have him in that projected line-up.

As of right now, I am penciling El- Elmer Soderblom to get that 12th forward spot, and in the 13th and fou- 14th spot if they decide to keep Tupet.

I might side with the veterans right now 'Cause I gotta see Villy Koivunen go out there and fully earn it during camp and pre-season.

I'm going to side with Justin Brazeau and Hendrick Lapierre.

But if Koivunen goes out there and is better during that time, I don't think they will hesitate to put someone like Brazeau on waivers or, you know, even though they traded assets to get Hendrik Lapierre, potentially not have him on the opening night roster.