[TheScorpion]

I think calling Eller an elite defensive middle-six or second-line centre is more than fair. He is clutch and does whatever it takes to win. That goes beyond the scoresheet.

Also, BS that "youth and inexperience" means I like having guys all the way up and down my lineup who can contribute to a winning team. I like Ryan and I liked Jones because they were good pieces on deep Flames teams that provided different elements and gave the team versatility. I like my teams to be able to roll four great lines, it's natural that I like bottom-six forwards but I like good bottom-six forwards. I can't stress enough how frustrated I get by some guys who are asked to play bottom-six roles and are either unwilling or simply unable to do so. Kotalik, Neal, Frolik, Raymond... the list goes longer than that. That's why I like good middle- and bottom-sixers so much. It's way easier to be a top-six forward if you have the tools than to be a bottom-six forward if you have the tools. You have to be willing to work for it. Guys like Ryan, Jones, Lucic, and Eller have that work ethic that makes them so valuable to any team.