[skian]

Originally Posted by kbvall

Yes, it would be terrible to have the only player on the roster capable of being a true #1C, be a winger. We would be back in the Iginla era Flames' situation with no #1C and a bunch of competent but regularily outmatched number twos. This whole rebuild will have been for naught. And meanwhile the Oilers have McDavid, Draisaitl, and Nugent-Hopkins down the middle, the Panthers have Barkov, the Sabres have Eichel, O'Rielly, Reinhart, and the Leafs have Matthews.

Is Bennett a #1C right now? No, but he's not going to develop into one playing the wing, and I have zero confidence either Backlund or Monahan develop into one.

Exactly. Just look at the #1 centre on any of the cup winners over the past 15 years. Bennett is the only guy they have with potential to be a true #1.