I think everyone agrees that a 1C is critical and a big gap right now.
And that is underscored by the Athletic article I posed a week or so ago - that showed that it was the most critical position.
But that also showed that amongst SC winning teams, with two strong centers - those centers were acquired of ways.
https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showth...ic#post9480939
Moreover, tanking doesn't provide a guarantee to get a #1 center. Detroit has been for a very long time, and doesn't have 1 (they have a couple that could be #2 Cs with Danielson and Kasper).
The Kings thought they had their guy with Byfield but that may not be the case.
The Jackets have struggled for years to find their #1 center.
The Habs, by all accounts, have a very good re-build going. They don't have a long-term #1 center. Suzuki is good, but isn't an ideal top line center including due to size.
So you can tank, but it still doesn't mean you just get a top center.