Ignoring for a second the myriad potential downsides, the single greatest benefit to acquiring Conroy is that it will allow Murray to re-establish the 4th line. This was a true 4-line team last year, and it made all the difference.
Eaves-Spezza-Heatley
McAmmond-Conroy-Alfredsson
Schaeffer-Fisher-Neil
Vermette-Kelly-McGrattan
Hamel gets the shaft 45-55% of the time.
Vermette will be bummed out about being back on the so-called 4th, but he and Kelly were such an important skating/checking tandem last year that, in addition to being the primary pk forwards, they were playing a near-regular shift at even strength. Having our dangerous 4th line back will be the biggest, and probably least heralded, reason for the team's turnaround--if and when that happens.