It’s the ongoing debate of what is needed to win the cup or be a contender for the cup. There are no absolutes but I think, in general, you need at least 3 players that would be considered in the top 10 (ideally top 5) at their position in the league when the team is in their contention window. And a top 10 centre is the position that is the most essential. Some teams get more than one top 10 player in a few positions (Tampa for example).
Here are a few recent examples:
Florida:
Top 10 centre: Barkov
Top 10 winger: Tkachuk
Top 10 goalie: Bobrovsky
Vegas:
Top 10 centre: Eichel
Top 10 winger: Marchessault
Top 10 defenceman: Pietrangelo
Colorado:
Top 10 centre: McKinnon
Top 10 winger: Rantenan
Top 10 defenceman: Makar
Tampa:
Top 10 centre: Point
Top 10 winger: Kucherov
Top 10 goalie: Vasilevskiy
Obviously all these teams had other big contributors to their cup success. Depth and luck are both essential to winning the cup. I’m just saying I think any rebuilding team needs to have 3 players they could confidently say are top 10 (or going to be top 10) at their position in the league before they should be ready to start contending for the playoffs.
I personally think the flames have one player that is a good bet to already be a top 10 player at their position and that’s Wolf - I think he’ll solidify a spot as a top 5 goaltender league-wide as early as next season. I think Parekh has a decent chance to be a top 10 defenceman in the league but it could be 4-5 years away or more from happening. Can’t say any other players in the system are a good bet to be either a centre or winger that’s top 10 at their position but you never know. Huberdeau is only 2 years removed from being a top 5 winger league-wide and he’s playing his best hockey since becoming a flame.
But it’s the centre that’s the most essential. It’s very rare for any team to win a cup without a centre that’s one of the top 10 in the league. It’s why I don’t think Minnesota’s great regular season will amount to any playoff success. They easily have a top 3 winger in the league and a top 5 goalie right now but without a top 10 centre, I don’t think they will do much. They would be a good trade partner for Pettersson to be honest.
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