If the Flames aren't in on Eichel, then they should be. History shows that great teams have a super star centre, an elite D on the top pair, and a top goalie. That isn't an opinion. Here is the top player in every position for the SC winners since the cap was introduced (draft spot in brackets):
- 2021 TBL: Stamkos (1) | Hedman (2) | Vasilevskiy (19)
- 2020 TBL: Point (79) | Hedman (2) | Vasilevskiy (19)
- 2019 STL: O'Reilly (33) | Pietrangelo (4) | Binnington (88)
- 2018 WSH: Backstrom(4) | Carlson (27) | Holtby (93)
- 2017 PIT: Crosby (1) | Letang (62) | Fleury (1)
- 2016 PIT: Crosby (1) | Letang (62) | Murray (83)
- 2015 CHI: Toews (3) | Keith (54) | Crawford (52)
- 2014 LA: Kopitar (11) | Doughty (2) | Quick (72)
- 2013 CHI: Toews (3) | Keith (54) | Crawford (52)
- 2012 LA: Kopitar (11) | Doughty (2) | Quick (72)
- 2011 BOS: Bergeron (45) | Chara (56) | Thomas (217)
- 2010 CHI: Toews (3) | Keith (54) | Niemi (Undrafted)
- 2009 PIT: Crosby (1) | Gonchar (14) | Fleury (1)
- 2008 DET: Datsyuk (171) | Lidstrom (53) | Osgood (54)
- 2007 ANA: Getzlaf (19) | Pronger (2) | Giguere (13)
- 2006 CAR: Staal (2) | Kaberle (76) | Ward (25)
There are very few exceptions to the rule of having an elite C, D, and G.
- Stamkos has been in and out of the line up and has spent time at wing, leaving Point as the common top C in Tampa. But Tampa is one of the deepest teams in the modern NHL era.
- St Louise doesn't have a stereotypical NHL team, but I see them as an anomaly (something their record pre and post SC win confirms).
- A few of the goalies weren't super stars. But they had very deep teams in front of them.
I don't know if Markstrom is good enough to bring a team through the playoffs, but he is a legitimate NHL starter and the best we are going to get barring a breakthrough from one of the young guys.
We also don't have a D that belongs on that list following Gio's departure, but maybe one of the kids are going to take the step forward. Its unlikely, but not impossible.
What we absolutely don't have is a C that belongs on that list. Not on the team and not in the system. In the modern NHL it is almost impossible to find these guys outside of the top draft spots. Eichel is a rare opportunity to bring on one of these players outside of the draft. Barring being the next once in two decades anomalies, if the Flames want to compete for a cup in the next few seasons this is their best bet. If it costs us some picks, or one of the zillion wingers we have on the team / in the system then so be it.