IMO, fighting your way to a centre roster spot on our team isn't easy at all.
Monahan
Backlund
Stajan
IMO are the top locks as at this point. Bennett isn't there yet. Assuming you are coming to the Flames and those 3 haven't changed (and assuming no trades), you're fighting Granlund, Shore, Jooris, Bennett?, Colborne, Arnold for a spot.
Assuming Colborne and Shore are converted to winger full time and Bennett learns with Backlund, you're still fighting Jooris and Granlund. God forbid Bennett locks up 2C or 3C earily, then you're fighting Stajan too. We haven't even begun looking at what we pick up in the next few drafts.
Any prospect hoping for 3/4C would need to sit on a wing for at least a season IMO. But that gets confusing once winger pieces enter the NHL. Where do Poirier and Klimchuk go if converted Cs are squatting on spots? An establish NHLer would be fighting for 2/3/4C but depending who those NHLers are, would prying Backlund from his role be easy? (Assuming there's no way you pry Monahan from 1C)
Looking at those bodies, I feel like watching AHL trades for the Flames might be exciting this year. Quantity for quality trades are my guess.
Back on track, I love Backlund and the way he seems to chase down players when on the ice. I would love to see some of that rub off on Bennett (but I think Bennett already sorta does that naturally).
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