[GGG]

Question 1)

If you are truely talking top 5 then I do not believe a top 5 center has ever hit the market as a free agent. A top 5 defensemen has Suter (maybe not quite 5 but definately 8) and Jbo (who Sutter Ruined but seeing him play now puts him in the conversation). So since a top 5 center is never available sign the defensemen. Also a top 5 center will be more expensive for whatever reason than top 5 defensemen. The free agent forwards tend to be more overpaid than free agent defensemen.

The real answer though is you need to trade for or draft both these positions to be a cup contender. I can't think of any who signed there way with free agents for either of these positions. You are better off spending your free agent dollars filling out your second line and second pairing defensemen as you can improve your team better that way then going for a homerun.

Question 2) BPA in the draft in the top 5, if they are near equal I would take any forward (perferably center) over an equal defensemen. If you look at the top scorers in the NHL they come from the top 5 maybe even top 3. If you look at the top defensemen they come out in all rounds. You still take the best available but I take the forward over the Dman in a draft like this.

In the late first round or the second round again BPA but here I would take a defensemen over a similar rated forward as defensemen have a higher chance of being a homerun.