Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMike
Put him in the number 2 center spot with decent line mates and just leave him there.
Have Backlund and Bennett have the top one/two center spots, trade Monahan/Gaudreau and make sure you get a center prospect back
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I think if you do move Gaudreau and Monahan, you should be trading Backlund as well then. At that point, you're not committed to winning a cup for the next season or two, so you're looking to retool/rebuild with the assets that are brought it, and possibly through Free Agency if a player in their prime (or about to enter) becomes available in a spot of team need.
Trading Backlund, along with Gaudreau and Monahan, should be a good haul in picks, prospects, and perhaps some middle line forward or defenseman with age on their side still. If that's done, and you keep Bennett and Lindholm (which I believe should be kept), then those two may be your centres for the top 6 in the meantime if there isn't better centres on the roster.
There is also Dube also who's actual position is centre. So depending on lineup combinations, it may be possible you do see a Tkachuk-Bennett-Lindholm first line, with Dube and Mangiapane on the second line with another winger. Since it would be a retooling/rebuilding season, it doesn't hurt to see if there's actually positive results from that combination. I think that line would have good chemistry since it's got a lot of physicality, enough speed, and offensive skill to be effective.