Quote:
Originally Posted by Flash Walken
Another middle of the road lacklustre point producer isn't going to do it.
I like Turris as a player but he's going to be 30 to start the season and his 4 years removed from scoring 60 points.
The team doesn't need another Backlund, having Backlund as the #2 guy is the whole problem.
The flames need a 75+ point centre. Spending assets on anything less is just wasting assets at this point.
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McDavid
Draisaitl (Questionable he's a C)
Crosby
Mackinnon
Stamkos
Barkov
Point
Tavares
Giroux (Played wing with Couturier)
Scheifele
Aho
Monahan
Eichel
Toews
Seguin
Bergeron
Courturier
Those were your 75 point centers last season and quite frankly you're not acquiring one of those guys unless you are trading one of Tkachuk, Monahan, Gaudreau (and likely adding to them).
The only UFA that's even close to that is Duchene as a center and I don't think he will fit in our cap structure. The more realistic option is that you need to add another middle 6 center in that 50 point range.
Monahan - last half of the season was poor but is still a top point producing center, needs to work on skating.
Backlund - fine as a defensive 2/3 center
Jankowski - Not a top 9 center on a cup contender IMO
Ryan - fine as a 4th line center that can move up the line up as required.
So the goal should be to upgrade on Jankowski with a guy that can provide offense while being defensively responsible and driving play.
Guys that may be available that fit that bill:
- Nazim Kadri
- Kevin Hayes
- Tyler Johnson
- Ryan Dzingel
- Adam Henrique
- Cody Eakin
- Marcus Johansson
And even then some of those guys are more C/W hybrids then pure play driving center ice men.