Quote:
Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper
Well ROR is definitely an elite 2 way shutdown center. So I’d put him right at the top on the Flames. He won the Selke, the Conn Smythe and the Byng. He’s hard to play against, barely takes any penalties, wins a million faceoffs and plays in the guts of the game, he’s legit. I mean, sure it took him a little while to reach his potential, but St. Louis also had a great foundation for him to shine whereas Buffalo and Colorado didn’t, they were just a collection of rebuilding pieces with no leadership, no direction and no identity.
Make no mistake though, having an elite #1 center or even better, an elite 1-2 punch is the core of your team’s core. They win you championships whereas the Flames have proven for decades on end that building around wingers peaks at early playoff exits or none at all. I don’t think it’s a coincidence either that the top 3 teams of this division also happen to have the top #1 centers. It is unquestionably the way you build your team and every GM in the NHL should know this.
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I wonder if there is a deal there in Tkachuk for ROR?
ROR has two more years and is a UFA. Do the Blues want to extend him to another big contract? They have Schenn in for another 8 years! Plus Thomas looks like a real good centremen who could use more ice time.
Tkachuk's contract is complex, he's got one more year after this and is RFA, but we know about the leverage he has. I'm nervous about the Flames committing dollars and term for him and they will have to pay through the nose to keep him.
I kind of feel like I'd rather take ROR for the two years guaranteed and maybe try and extend him afterwards. If he's anything like Bergeron, he'll still be good in his mid 30's.
You would think having ROR, Lindholm, Backlund down the middle would suit Sutter just fine for the next two seasons.