Here is my best GUESS. As the Mario thing proves, sometimes weird stuff happens.
Currently we have 16 forwards and 6 defense eligible for 09. USUALLY only the most elite players leave after 2 years with more NHL caliber players leaving after 3. Given that I think VandeVelde could be gone and LaPoint may as well considering he dominated in the USHL last year. That would leave 15 and 5. There are always unexpected losses (Sparky, Bishop) and players that end up not playing (Beaverson, Hamilton). Who knows what will happen with Forney? With that in mind I think would guess that we have room for maybe 1 or 2 more forwards (target of 15 or 16) and maybe 3 more defenders of which 1 or 2 could com in 08. There is also the possibility that an 09 could go to 10
Chris VandeVelde
Darcy Zajac
Michael Forney
Brad Malone
Evan Trupp
Matt Frattin
Brent Davidson
David Toews
Brett Bruneteau
Mike Cichy
Brett Hextall
Jason Gregoire
Mario Lamoureux
Danny Kristo
Mike Fink
Danny Mattson
Chay Genoway
Derrick LaPoint
Jake Marto
Ben Blood
Corey Fienhage
Joe Gleason