Joshua Roy
The big question about the second line before Laine's injury was whether Joshua Roy could steal Alex Newhook's spot and push him down to the third line. Roy may now grab a place on the second line without it being a detriment to Newhook's ice time. Roy looks more ready than last season and should be a better help in this trio than in 2023-24 when he made it to the NHL and tried to replace Kirby Dach. Roy isn't Laine, but he could turn into one of the better middle-six forwards and fill a need while Laine recovers.