Quote:
Originally Posted by Caged Great
The main thing is opportunity cost.
While it's not great that we have a huge hole up the middle, the cost to go out and get one will cost way too much. There were not really any great centers in the free agent market outside of Arnott and Jokinen. We know what Joker was and he's not a great solution. Arnott isn't much of one either but could be useful as a stop gap. In the trade market though, to get any good centers, it's going to cost you several arms and legs. Even Jokinen initially cost a good 4th liner, a good 3rd liner and a 1st round pick. A comparable would be Backlund + Bouma + 1st, and that's for a middle/bottom of the pile 1st line C.
The only proper way to address this on a long term basis is to draft skilled centers that profile out to be centers in the NHL. Jankowski is the first step in this endeavour, but it takes time and multiple picks dedicated to getting quality up the middle.
Till then, you're stuck with stop gaps like Cammalleri, or a guy like Arnott etc. We can't really do much other than overload the wings with talent and hope it compensates for the lack of skill in the middle.
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I agree whole heartedly. It just amazed me how important the position is. Realistically, I just want to make the dance this year. But unless Jankowski develops super quick or we hit a home run in the FA/trade market, we are mildly competitive at best. I always thought #1 goalie + top forward would get you anywhere. Apparently, not so much.