Quote:
Originally Posted by Jore
Wingers have been crossing over the ice since the 70s, if not earlier. The importance of owning the middle of the ice starts in the D zone. The C has to stay above the play and read the attacking pattern and make pinches. Then the C can either turn up the ice with the puck, dish it to a winger ahead of the play, or drop to supporting players in the next layer.
Coincidentally these are the exact roles Monahan struggles with.
Dube can change wings in transition but that does not a C make, nor does it showcase how he would do if tasked with coming up with the puck in his own zone. The only way to find out is to play him as a C.
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Yep, I’m not going to refute your points as they’re perfectly valid and I think Dube has potential to one day play up the middle. But the center position is without a doubt the most vital role within the forward ranks, so does it make sense especially for a coach like Darryl to experiment with this? Or does it make more sense to keep him at wing until he takes that next step like Mangiapane has?
For instance, if Mangiapane was a natural center, I’d have no problem moving him to center as he’s sort of graduated in my opinion from potential young stud to veteran difference maker. I think when Dube reaches that same level, he’ll deserve his shot to be elevated into a more important role/slot/position.