This team needs a star centre and we have the pieces to get one. - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Snuffleupagus · 02-14-2021, 12:16 PM

It's more than apparent this team needs a dominating center or this team will forever be just a mediocre team

Monahan is a good player but he has one gear and that gear is ineffective when the tempo rises, Lindholm is looking good but is probably suited more as a 1b or a 2 center.

Treliving needs to grow a pair and target what he feels is a true #1 center even if he has to "overpay" for one, I think he's much like his father where he needs to steal every deal, good GM's take chances and if their team needs a piece they have the mind sense that's there's no such thing as an overpay.

He needs to target teams in cap jail or teams in need of a rebuild.

Point, Zibanejad, Eichel or even Kopitar come to mind but I'm sure there's more that could be had for an "overpay"

dirk diggler · 02-14-2021, 12:19 PM

I feel if we went in and acquired the Eichel type player, we would have a top center but the team would have had to give up so much, we would then be constructed like the Oilers with no depth and lack of decent players.

this team needs players who actually come to play and dont always get outshot 4 to 1 to start very game.

codynw · 02-14-2021, 12:20 PM

Agreed, but trading for someone like Point, Zibanejad or Eichel is not happening. Kopitar is too old. Elite young centers don't just grow on trees, and I'm not sure how Calgary realistically gets one that isn't past his prime without lucking out in the draft.

topfiverecords · 02-14-2021, 12:21 PM

Point, Eichel, nor Zibanejad are at any chance of being moved.

Kopitar is 33, has a $10M cap hit for 4 more years and the pieces it would take would set us back for a long time.

dirk diggler · 02-14-2021, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codynw

Agreed, but trading for someone like Point, Zibanejad or Eichel is not happening. Kopitar is too old. Elite young centers don't just grow on trees, and I'm not sure how Calgary realistically gets an one that isn't past his prime without lucking out in the draft.

Agreed, they likely need a top 3 draft pick in a good draft. or strike draft gold like TB did with Point, highly unlikely.

Burning Beard · 02-14-2021, 12:23 PM

Getzlaf is maybe the only realistic chance, but I feel like he is kind of hot and cold on effort these days too. Maybe if he was after one more cup he would go all out but who knows. Also, chances are pretty slim he leaves sunny Anaheim for - 30 Calgary

SuperMatt18 · 02-14-2021, 12:28 PM

Lindholm might be that guy to be honest, there has not been enough discussion about how good he’s looked transitioning to Center this season.

He’s 14 among centres in points this season and is a PPG Center while still playing physical and strong defensively.

And that’s with Tkachuk and Dube both having struggles at times this season, especially Tkachuk who has looked out of sorts the last two weeks.

This team is set up okay right now with Lindholm, Monahan, and Backlund as our top 3 centres. If you can improve on Monahan then great, but I wouldn’t be selling the farm to do so. Right wing and the play of Tkachuk this last stretch are the biggest issues.

Jaydee · 02-14-2021, 12:30 PM

shouldve done Tkachuk for Dubois

Cali Panthers Fan · 02-14-2021, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaydee

shouldve done Tkachuk for Dubois

yikes

ForeverFlameFan · 02-14-2021, 12:34 PM

Lindholm has been playing great as a center. We need another top 6 player, preferably an elite one.

I wanted Monahan for Laine to happen but that ship has sailed.

Coach · 02-14-2021, 12:41 PM

We need a right handed player that can play RW and score goals.

neo45 · 02-14-2021, 12:43 PM

I’ve argued for years that Monahan isn’t a bad player but him as the 1C is the biggest structural flaw on this team.

We have a first line center who can’t really do zone entries. He’s an efficient finisher but far from the total package you would like to see from your top center

I’ve also never watched a Flames game and thought “wow Monahan really left it all out there tonight”

cral12 · 02-14-2021, 12:48 PM

In reality, we need to blow it up. I tried to be optimistic for this season, loved the Markstrom signing and all, but this team seems destined to toil in mediocrity (ie playoff bubble) for years to come...

Virtually every team that has won the Cup in last couple of decades has built around top 3 picks, or a series of them...yes, there are those examples of Sabres, etc, but without that foundation, it's tough to get to that upper echelon...

I'm not a huge of the draft system, but it will not change (except for favouring tanking teams more)...

Someone mentioned Point...
The 2011 & 2014 drafts still drive me bonkers. Lightning Vs Flames. 2011: we pick Tyler Wotherspoon 57th, Lightning Kucherov 58th - of course many teams missed Kucherov, but he was undeniably skilled and worth the risk at that point. 2014: 2 x 2nd rnders and a 3rd rnder and we skipped hometown kid Braydon Point all 3 effen times. How different would this team look with those two..Even Point alone...

djsFlames · 02-14-2021, 12:49 PM

I don't think we can trade for one.

PLD might be that but we didn't act to put in the best bid.

Just like with stone, you either pay up or you go home empty handed. Only way you bring in top players by trade.

I think we have to draft that player. So is bombing this season maybe a good thing?

Lanny_McDonald · 02-14-2021, 12:56 PM

What the Flames need a heart and soul player, like a Doug Risebrough or John Tonelli. Unfortunately, there aren't many of those around the NHL any more. Most players are prima donnas and don't want to get emotionally invested in the team. Tyler Johnson is one of those guys. Same with Kyle Palmieri. I wonder if either could still be available? A younger guy that kind of struck me that was was Jake DeBrusk. Not many of them out there, but players that might elevate the GAF level on the team.

Skyceman · 02-14-2021, 12:58 PM

Too costly to acquire. You need to draft them.

BagoPucks · 02-14-2021, 01:16 PM

This team needs to be better at developing talent and drafting. The fact remains we are a middle of the pack or bottom third franchise in the NHL until the management decides its goal is to be the best in the league.

GioforPM · 02-14-2021, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BagoPucks

This team needs to be better at developing talent and drafting. The fact remains we are a middle of the pack or bottom third franchise in the NHL until the management decides its goal is to be the best in the league.

Name a current team that drafted and developed better talent while drafting outside the top 5 every year. It’s hard to do without that top 3 pick. Boston comes to mind, but they lucked out with Bergeron, Chara, Pasternak and Marchand, and of course, by getting Rask from Toronto.

FlamesAddiction · 02-14-2021, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neo45

I’ve argued for years that Monahan isn’t a bad player but him as the 1C is the biggest structural flaw on this team.

We have a first line center who can’t really do zone entries. He’s an efficient finisher but far from the total package you would like to see from your top center

I’ve also never watched a Flames game and thought “wow Monahan really left it all out there tonight”

I don't think the Monahan line is the first line anymore. Lindholm leads in even strength ice-time and gets almost the same amount of PP ice-time, and way more SH ice-time.

Lindholm and Monahan are basically 1A and 1B with Lindholm being used slightly more, and in more critical situations.

Two Fivenagame · 02-14-2021, 02:17 PM

Lindholm, Monahan, and Backlund is reasonable centre depth. If the Flames want to contend, then the rest of the roster needs studs. Goaltender, D, and LW are studs... but that RW isn't even NHL level at the moment. The opposition just needs to keep the puck on the right side (flames) of the ice when the flames have possession.

Whatever assets the flames have, it needs to be spent on upgrading the RW.