This will be the season for the Russian from the Pine Barrens to come back.
Carmela and Tony will reconcile this season. Episode 13 will likely be the death or incarceration of Tony (likely the death). The eight bonus episodes will be a "wrap up" or a post-Tony document of what happens in the family, with Chris as the head of the family. This season will also be a lot about him stepping up, and I'm sure he'll make at least one *major* decision on his own.
I don't think Johnny Sach is going away for long, but I bet Ben Kingsley plays the part as a head of one of the New York families.
I don't think that clip of Patsy and Paulie is regarding them jumping ship- Paulie had his stint with New York, and I believe their ties are permanently severed. Patsy had his episode of disloyalty after the death of his twin, but I believe it's through.