Quote:
Originally Posted by moon
Because having top 3 centers being 21, 19 and 18 would be awful and what if we get 2nd pick and take Ekblad and miss out on McDavid/Eichel or they aren't ready that seems much more likely. Say we get one of Reinhart/Bennett or McDavid/Eichel still have:
Monahan
Draft pick
Stajan
Colborne
There are a lot worse things to have happen then having too many centers. Look at us last year with two natural centers in the line-up. A 3 game win streak at the end of this year could get us Dal Colle and then next year two teams tank and bad lottery luck and we have no McDavid/Eichel.
|
Backlund would be 26/27 at that time and is very capable defensively and perfect in a 3rd line role (though I know you disagree) and much better than Stajan in that regard.
How old were Crosby and Malkin when they won the Cup? Was Toews not the 1st line centre for Chicago when they won their 1st Cup?
Young players take the reins all the time in the NHL. It's the only way to win it seems nowadays. There's nothing wrong with having a 21 and 20 year old composing your top 2 centres, especially when they are top picks and have proven their capabilities. Not to mention Backlund is more than capable of moving anywhere in the lineup.
And then you have Reinhart who has played very well this season who can play both centre and wing.
Really, I just see Stajan as pointless in 2 years. This isn't a team that will be competing for the Cup at that time, but you have to prepare your young players. If they aren't ready or are overwhelmed, move Backlund up for a while.
Backlund would simply be a better option to shelter the younger players, and he also has a future being a strong player in the NHL, unlike Stajan.