I have been thinking exactly the reverse, ie. that we will see a slow spring melt at least as far as extent is concerned. The seas that are involved in extent loss over spring appear to be in a position that will not lead to dramatic losses but rather the reverse.
Bering, particularly with the February losses, will obviously all go but it appears likely it will have a low starting position.
Okhotsk, Hudson and Baffin appear to have been heavily affected by cold winters on the adjacent land areas. I expect the ice there to be thicker and more resilient than usual leading to a later than usual melt.
The central basin will probably regain the 100K deficit is currently has and see little extent loss till late June or July.
On the other hand Beaufort, Chukchi and Kara, which start to decline in May, could go a little early because of the heat across the Arctic Ocean all winter.
In my estimation March will see extent drift up to 4th or 5th lowest in the rankings where it will sit until May before heading back to close to the lowest in June.