The comments posted by Fight Guy and S-A-J are pretty much spot on. I too would agree if any forwards are on the bubble Kroeker and McAmmond may be the two. At 6'3" and 6'1" the question that lingers is are we prepared to replace them with 5'8" - 5'9" guys?
One of the mandates a couple years back was to get bigger, and I don't know how that would fit into that. One thing I do know is that year after year Medicine Hat goes with these small lineups up front. They have great regular seasons but falter in most playoffs.
Kroeker has been a late bloomer but big scorer at his past levels. I would hate to see him go elsewhere and start lighting it up at 18 like Brooks did!!. McAmmond started to show some flashes and he would be back as an 18 year old. I just don't know what to think.
They often say you can teach most everything, but you can't teach size. If Paddock doesn't do much with his lineup the downside is some good players may not be able to crack the lineup. It's like being a victim of his own riches and could mean trading off prospects.
Paddock alluded to the need for "enhancing" his lineup obviously with 19 year olds. What does that do to the current lineup? How will a good import change things (if we ever get a Kalus again)? There are so many moving parts that the off season may be turbulent.
They played Hollett in Victoria and had tried to get him into a 2nd game. They brought him out for the playoffs. Paddock really likes him and I think he is the calibre or better than Skinner in Lethbridge. IMO he will be here as backup unless something odd happens.
All of our d-men are eligible to return. There are at least three more in the wings who are close to ready, not even including Schoiler. If they are looking at adding 19 year old on the back end, the problems get stickier.
There IMO will need to be at least a couple trades made. Since we have few vets, it really only leaves prospects as trade material. McCrimmon does that all the time. It comes with having a plethora of talent and knowing they can't all play for you.
The off season is going to present Paddock with some very tough decisions. They say it's a good kind of problem to have but still guy wrenching for any coach and organization. They may have to say farewell to some blue chip prospects. Like the song "Hurt So Good"
I was hoping to have a top 22 draft list today but may need to wait until tomorrow. If I get them before I leave tomorrow for a vacation, I'll post them. If not you can get them through westernelitehockeyprospects.com They are not always right on, and the order may be off a bit, but it's pretty good and costs 10 bucks.