[Monahammer]

I think our terminology is dated. 2C and 3C should be relatively interchangeable, and that is where our problem lies. The layout of an NHL team is now closer to:

First line- this is where your star offensive power is

Middle 6- One offensive geared line and a shut down line

Bottom line- Speed and grit to take advantage of opponents weaknesses.

Right now we have:
- Monahan, who (inspite of what some ridiculous posters will advance) fits this role well. Over a ppg this season, and good for 30+ goals.
- Backlund, a perfect middle 6 C, especially helming the defensive line.
-Ryan, again, a perfect fit as the bottom line C who can take advantage of other teams weaknesses.
- Jankowski, who ostensibly should have been the middle 6 "offensive" C (see stapling of Neal to his side as an example.)

The big weakness was Jankowski. So it's not a "Backlund isn't good enough" thing, it's a "Jankowski was bloody terrible 5v5" thing.

The above is also why drafting and failing to develop Sam Bennett is the largest failure this franchise has succumbed to in the last decade. If Sam had become even a slightly better centre than Backlund (which was far less than he was billed to be and seemed like a safe floor bet at the time...) we would not be talking about this problem. Bennett should at least be a Kadri level player by now, and he's not really close.