Theoretically it looks like a disaster, as many as eleven players could leave the club.
These include centers Olli Jokinen (LA Kings), Johan Davidsson (Ducks), Miika Elomo (Portland, AHL), Tim Thomas, Bob Halkidis, Kimmo Timonen (LA or Nashville), Jan Caloun (Sharks), Jere Karalahti (LA or Canucks), Brian Rafalski, Jarkko Ruutu (Canadiens)and Kaj Linna (NHL/AHL).
In real life the number is a lot smaller. We could end up loosing only: Jokinen, Thomas, Davidsson, Elomo and Timonen. Severe losses, but not impossible to cover.
Caloun, Karalahti, Ruutu and Rafalski all have contracts with HIFK (Ruutu is not even drafted), but are allegedly free to go if the NHL calls, but surely not without compensation.
Facts are very few, thus far.
In addition to Jokinen, Elomo, backup goalie Sakke Lindfors (Graz, Austria), Tim Thomas (Edmonton) and Pepe Lehtonen (ret.) are definitively not returning. More than likely losses are: Davidsson and Halkidis. Everybody else are still hiding in the bushes.
The new aquisitions are flashy.
Mika Nieminen was only a year ago regarded as a prime candidate for the title "best center outside the NHL". He had a average year with Jokerit, but I believe he´s the man to hire in place of Jokinen. Toni Lydman and Toni Mäkiaho both played in the World Championships and are up and coming young players. Especially Lydman could well make it to the NHL in year or two and would replace Karalahti or better Linna if he´s moving on. Mäkiaho is a gritty winger who will be used to create havoc in the offensive zone and thus provide space for the scoring types. Also the new one-year contract for Marko Tuomainen is welcomed by me. He has got a lot more to give offensively than what we saw last season.
What do we still need ?
The minimum requirement is that we need an other classy offensive center for our second line. Depending on the outcome of the "transfer talks" we could end up with a shortage of defenders too, but time will tell.
In my book the most important player on the roster, last year, was Johan Davidsson. His youthful enthusiasm combined with lots of skill and determination + "the famous Swedish good luck" wore off on the teammates and especially linemates Caloun and Ruutu. Jokinen´s late arrival brought new life to the second line were Kortelainen and Hurme/Laukkanen formed a well oiled winger duo.
As we know Kortelainen and Laukkanen (who later left the team) were top scorers the previous year, but could not live up to expectation. Kortelainen was benched for most of the autumn, until Jokinen´s arrival. So who is going to supply the spark this year ?
Timonen played a solid season and was beatiful to watch especially carrying the puck. Rafalski was very close to reach the same level and can take over if Timonen leaves. Linna would be covered by Lydman (as said above), but who would take over from Karalahti and/or Halkidis ? Heiskanen could be tough enough, but he´s still a "rough diamond", Jokela is not ready.
How it is shaping up.
In my dreams, using players under contract, the lines would look like below:
Ruutu-Nieminen-Caloun-Rafalski-Karalahti
Kortelainen-Kalto-Hurme-Nikko-Lydman
Tuomainen-Ruuttu-Sihvonen-Kultanen-Heiskanen
Kainulainen-Ahonen-Hagman-Jokela-Rajala
Puolanne
Without a doubt, we need two wingers and if the worst case scenario becomes reality two-three defenders.
Facts.
Players who won´t return (confirmed) / new club:
G Tim Thomas/Edmonton Oilers
G Sakari Lindfors/Graz, Austria
D Pepe Lehtonen/ retired
C Olli Jokinen/LA Kings
LW Miika Elomo/Washington Capitals
Mikey Dune