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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Between Backlund, Horak (if we converted him back to C), Granlund and perhaps Reinhart, Street and Jankowski we should have the 2nd line C role covered for many years. And perhaps Jankowski will blossom into the 1st line centre we need. Add in potential checking centres in Arnold, Deblouw, etc and C is arguably one of our deeper positions in terms of prospects/young players.
IMO taking a 2nd line centre over a 1st line winger or top pairing D-man would be counterproductive. For top line young wingers we have Gaudreau and Sven and both are below average in size. Getting a young powerforward who could replace Iginla would be more valuable than another 2nd line centre IMO. Outside of Brodie none of our young D-men really look to be top 3 guys so that is another area we are arguably as weak or even weaker. People aren't as concerned about D because we currently have Bouwmeester, Wideman, Giordano signed longish term but our D prospects aren't crazy exciting.
I don't think people should be complaining if the Flames take the best available C, W or D. Forcing a centre in Sven's year would have resulted in us taking Mark McNeill who is worth significantly less as an asset right now than Baerstchi is. And even if we took another winger it would give Feaster the option of dealing one of Baertschi, Gaudreau or the new winger in a package for a 1st line centre. The Flames need as many high value assets as they can get.
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On a Stanley Cup challenging team, Backlund and Horak are third line centres at best.
Street is an AHL lifer. Who knows what Reinhart is.
I am concerned with the defence, we have four NHL defensemen on the roster.