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Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper
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?
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Does the team need centers? Yes, it does.
So yes it makes sense to experiment with the center position. Look no further than Tampa who roll Point and Cirelli as their 1/2C. Back in 2015 they had Johnson and Stamkos playing those roles and yet they fell short. So they moved those guys around the lineup.
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Or does it make more sense to keep him at wing until he takes that next step like Mangiapane has?
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Dube is not Mangiapane. He's not a natural winger. He's not goalscorer either. If you want to get the most out of HIS skillset, you are not going to play him at a position that forces him to defend along the walls and points, lead the rush and button hook etc. We've seen this exact scenario play out before.
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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.
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If Mangiapane were a natural center, there's no proof he'd be the player he is today the way we have utilized him. His skillset at both ends is that of a winger.
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I think when Dube reaches that same level, he’ll deserve his shot to be elevated into a more important role/slot/position.
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Again, back to Mikael Backlund circa 2019 or Sam Bennett circa his entire Flames career or Elias Lindholm circa his entire hurricanes career - natural centers do not "prove" themselves as centers on the wing.
If Dube is physically ready for the center position, then you have to let him play it and see how he reads the game, both with and without the puck.