Hot Mess Express

Some random thoughts:

I assume we won't see C/B, G/P, FB/C, R/A on the list. C/B already confirmed they are sitting it out, we have a lot of hints about G/P and R/A not competing, and with FB/C I feel like even if they will compete next season, they won't do the GP circuit and only compete at the 2nd half of the season (if at all).

With C/B out, I bet money that Z/K will get Skate America. They will want their other GP to be NHK, but F/G will also want that, and they are both seeded in the same group, so we will see which team is stronger (or which federation). If Z/K won't do NHK, they will likely do GP France instead.

I assume USFS will either avoid putting CPom and Z/K at the same competitions or put them both in Skate America and have them in two different second GPs. I feel like CPom will want a later start to the season, so I can see them doing China and Finland/NHK.

Coming back to seeded teams - we will likely have Z/K, F/G, and S/D in group 1, and L/B, CPom, and D/S in group 2. If FB/C somehow decides to compete (I still think it's unlikely), it will be slightly different, but I doubt it will impact the assignments too much.

Skate Canada will see the debut of Kajoie/Baker, and if Skate Canada is smart, they will bring the weaker seeded teams to the event.

So, taking my best shot at guessing (assuming FB/C not competing):

Zingas/Kolesnik - Skate America & GP France (smaller chance: NHK)

Fear/Gibson - GP China & NHK (smaller chance: Skate Canada)

Smart Dieck - Skate Canada & GP Finland

Lopareva/Brissaud - GP France & GP Finland (smaller chance:

CPom - GP China & NHK (smaller chance: Skate Canada & Skate America)

So I think the assignments might be soemthing like this:

Fournier-Beaudry/Cizeron - GP France, NHK

Zingas/Kolesnik - Skate America, GP China

Fear/Gibson - Skate Canada, GP Finland

Smart/Dieck - Skate Canada, GP Finland

Lopareva/Brissaud - GP France, Skate America