What a lot of you are missing (not you Ossi) is that Sutter just came back and Schaller is sitting. Sutts has given the 4th line a shot in the arm.
I think the real question here is what the depth chart actually looks like.
Clearly they're liking Gaudette and want to keep him in so, Gaudette > Schaller and Sutter > Schaller
Who's better Beagle or Sutter? I think that Beagle is a better 4C but Sutter is more versatile and can play up the line up. I don't see Beagle playing up the line up.
Where does Eriksson sit? I think his contribution is hard to put your finger on but somehow Pearson, Horvat, Eriksson together are producing better than any other combination for the Horvat line that we have seen this season. Is this permanent? Who knows? In the mean time I think it's a mistake to break up a winning combination.
Would anybody be surprised if Ferland has played his last game? I don't know where he slides in, if he slides in when healthy.
The way Virtanen is playing, I think he has definitely reached a top 6 level. I would place him ahead of Leivo now. Boeser? He's top 6 too and I think that the only reason why he is on the 3rd line now is because of the new chemistry on the Horvat line.
This is getting complicated and decisions will be made when Ferland and Leivo are healthy. There is a question whether Eriksson will remain as effective when that time comes. For that matter, will Virtanen?
Miller Pettersson Boeser
Pearson Horvat Virtanen
Roussel Gaudette Leivo
Sutter Beagle Motte
Ferland
Eriksson
Schaller