Who is going to play center on the 2013-2014 Flames

[Phaneufenstein]

Right now we have Stajan and Backlund as legit NHL centers, with Camalleri potentially slotting in that position as well out of necessity.

Corban Knight may make the team out of camp, but he shouldn't be just handed this role, and perhaps a year in the AHL would do him well.

With Monahan, my preference is that he goes back for another year of Junior, regardless of camp performance.

Horak looks to be a winger now.

Reinhart, Jones, Bouma could fill in on the 4th line.

The Flames look really thin at center, and I believe they will be exploring options in trade and free agency to add an experienced pivot.

Who would you like us to acquire (or stay put?) and how do you see the #1 through 4 centers shake out?

[bubbsy]

i'd like to see
backlund
stajan
knight
bouma/reinhart/jones

i wouldn't mind monahan getting his 9 games in to see if he cuts it, but there really isn't any point in rushing him.

[Drury18]

Horak and Conroy have been doing a bunch of work together trying to get him stronger at the centre position so I wouldn't be surprised to see him give it another try. He seemed to be playing more centre to end the year and I imagine they will be working with him more in the prospect camp to play centre. Far as I know, the expectation is for him to be a centre.

I think the other 3 will be Backlund, Stajan and Reinhart.

I agree to send Monahan back for development and maybe even Knight.

..Boyd Gordon might not be a bad acquisition. Not a goal scorer, but he's 17th in the NHL in F/O percentage.

[bubbsy]

i didn't include horak i have a feeling he will be moved to the wing.

[devo22]

I could see the Flames go after Filppula.

Backlund
Filppula
Stajan
Knight/Reinhart

Unless, you know, they feel that Monahan is ready, but I'd prefer him playing another junior year (hopefully being traded to a contender).

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Backlund
Monahan
Stajan
Horak
Knight
Reinhart
Jones
Street
(Cammalleri)
(Bouma)
(Galiardi)
(Byron)

I wouldn't describe it as thin overall. Thin at the top end. Definitely deep in bottom two line centres and much deeper overall than last year.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by Phaneufenstein

Right now we have Stajan and Backlund as legit NHL centers, with Camalleri potentially slotting in that position as well out of necessity.

Corban Knight may make the team out of camp, but he shouldn't be just handed this role, and perhaps a year in the AHL would do him well.

With Monahan, my preference is that he goes back for another year of Junior, regardless of camp performance.

Horak looks to be a winger now.

Reinhart, Jones, Bouma could fill in on the 4th line.

The Flames look really thin at center, and I believe they will be exploring options in trade and free agency to add an experienced pivot.

Who would you like us to acquire (or stay put?) and how do you see the #1 through 4 centers shake out?

I'm of the mindset the Monahan should go back to the OHL if he isn't looking like a legit top 9 guy. But you don't send him back if he looks like he belongs, he'd have nothing to gain by going back if he looks NHL ready.
If he's ready:

Backlund
Monahan
Knight/Stajan
Reinhart/Jones
(Move Stajan if Knight's legit)

If he isn't ready:

Backlund
Stajan
Knight
Reinhart/Jones

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Backlund
Monahan
Stajan
Horak
Knight
Reinhart
Jones
Street
(Cammalleri)
(Galiardi)
(Byron)

I wouldn't describe it as thin overall. Thin at the top end. Definitely deep in bottom two line centres and much deeper overall than last year.

...and when you look at he ages of four out of the top five on your list, there is definitely time/room of growth.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Backlund
Monahan
Stajan
Horak
Knight
Reinhart
Jones
Street
(Cammalleri)
(Galiardi)
(Byron)

I wouldn't describe it as thin overall. Thin at the top end. Definitely deep in bottom two line centres and much deeper overall than last year.

Top 2 centers help you win. Would any team in the conference (league?) be weaker at the top end?

[puckedoff]

Stajan
Backlund
Reinhart
Knight

[Phaneufenstein]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Backlund
Monahan
Stajan
Horak
Knight
Reinhart
Jones
Street
(Cammalleri)
(Bouma)
(Galiardi)
(Byron)

I wouldn't describe it as thin overall. Thin at the top end. Definitely deep in bottom two line centres and much deeper overall than last year.

In that instance by thin what I meant is thin on proven/legit NHL centers.

[Phaneufenstein]

I'm thinking we should offer Weiss a one or two year contract to help ease the yonger guys in

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by timbit

Top 2 centers help you win. Would any team in the conference (league?) be weaker at the top end?

I might be wrong on some of these depth charts so feel free to correct me. The following teams seem pretty weak/unproven.

CBJ - Anisimov, Johansen
FLA - Barkov, Bjugstad, Trocheck, Shore
DAL - some talk they were going to move Benn back to the wing. Outside of him they've got Fiddler and Eakin?
PHO - Vermette, Hanzal
WPG - Jokinen, Scheiffele, Slater, Little, Burmistrov

Not saying all those are in worse shape than the Flames but those were the ones with the most questionable depth that I could find.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I might be wrong on some of these depth charts so feel free to correct me. The following teams seem pretty weak/unproven.

CBJ - Anisimov, Johansen
FLA - Barkov, Bjugstad, Trocheck, Shore
DAL - some talk they were going to move Benn back to the wing. Outside of him they've got Fiddler and Eakin?
PHO - Vermette, Hanzal
WPG - Jokinen, Scheiffele, Slater, Little, Burmistrov

Not saying all those are in worse shape than the Flames but those were the ones with the most questionable depth that I could find.

FWIW - those are also all teams who didn't make the playoffs either.

If they're serious about winning some games (I don't think they'll be a playoff team regardless), they'll be bringing in another C through FA/trade.