Which young centers to pursue?

[Calgary4LIfe]

Flames have been losing games in the last couple of seasons because they don't have enough top-end skilled talent. They are a wonderfully built 'depth' team. This is not a bad team - it is a good team missing enough top-end skill. I think this is why they can hang with any team in the league, but generally have to outwork every team in order to get a win. This is not a sustainable way to win, and it will also result in a much more talented team on average just winning a game with 5-10 minutes of better play. I think we have seen this for a while now.


I really like some of the names being brought up, but is there legitimate top-end talent there? Or is it just more 'good depth'? 2nd line players, 2nd pairing (but top 4 for sure!) types? Trading picks for an under 24 centre seems to me like a team that is trying to fill holes. I think before you fill holes, you fill as many spots as possible, especially the spots that are the most difficult to fill - #1 Centre, #1 Defencemen.


Unless there is a team that screws up somehow (Erat-Forsberg), I just don't see those high-end talents being traded away. I would rather the Flames make selections in the draft with the picks instead.



Hopefully Conroy is onto something with a specific centre that he is targeting in a trade that he thinks will blossom here. That's certainly not out of the question. It still relies on the other team screwing up, however. I guess both Thornton and Seguin moved early in their careers, but it is so rare. I do really trust Conroy here though, so I may be on the edge of my seat for nothing.


Definitely feels like there are a lot of different options to go in.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I don't either but looking at their line deployment Mercer has been playing RW lately. If Hughes is back they don't need him at C and they can plug Holtz up from line 4 to line 2 to take Mercer's spot and probably not lose any scoring there. I think if the Devils are hell bent on making a push it isn't an impossibility they think about it. I still don't think Markstrom will go anywhere during the season so it probably doesn't matter anyhow.

Don’t go giving me hope, lol.

Idk, maybe there’s some way we could sweeten the deal with a young player or draft picks, so they don’t feel like they’re sacrificing their youth….

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I thought you said Markstrom was here to stay, wasn't interested in a move, nor approached about a move? Now he's the centerpiece for Dawson Mercer?

That is true, I also said I don't know how the Lindholm trade effected him or if over the all Star break maybe he thinks more about what he wants. I never said I have heard he is the centrepiece of a Mercer trade, we are speculating on what ifs. Even then I still said I don't expect Markstrom to move. It's all hypothetical speculating.

[Jason14h]

Flames just need to keep acquiring young ammo so
Eventually you have a chamber full of bullets and get lucky with development or can pull a trade for a disgruntled star

Flames issue is we are often running at a bullet deficit

[dammage79]

Wonder where the Flames land on a pick if they dealt Tanev to WPG for Lambert. Lambert plus 3rd? MTLS high 2nd ? I think I'd live with a 3rd if Lambert could be had. Center, under 24, RHS. All the stuff you're looking for.

Peg fans seem to be okay with Tanev for MTLs 2nd and Chibrikov or Rashevski.

Lambert is fringe for them, McGroarty is a no go along side Barlow or Salomonsson.

[Enoch Root]

Lambert is probably worth a 1st, so straight-up for Tanev

[dammage79]

Cody Glass could be worth a flyer. Under 24 RHS center. Isn't doing much in NSH.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Cody Glass could be worth a flyer. Under 24 RHS center. Isn't doing much in NSH.

Probably be able to get him off of waivers in the next couple of years. I wouldn't give up anything for him myself.

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Connor Bedard.

LOL, maybe Flames have a chance in about 20 years time finally - with Tre not part of yhe Flames!

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Lambert is probably worth a 1st, so straight-up for Tanev

Lambert doesn't push the needle for me, he could be a good player but his GAF meter is very concerning, would rather a 1st.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Flames just need to keep acquiring young ammo so
Eventually you have a chamber full of bullets and get lucky with development or can pull a trade for a disgruntled star

Flames issue is we are often running at a bullet deficit

Also not having Jay Feaster unloading your bullets when you have them, with stormtrooper-like precision.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Trade targets - Dawson Mercer (Markstrom?), Morgan Frost.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Cody Glass could be worth a flyer. Under 24 RHS center. Isn't doing much in NSH.

I love Cody Glass, but man he's frustrating. He looked like he was starting to get it last year, then he tumbles back down the hill this season, with 3 points in 23 games...

That said, I would have to think hard about it if the price wasn't high.

[shutout]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I love Cody Glass, but man he's frustrating. He looked like he was starting to get it last year, then he tumbles back down the hill this season, with 3 points in 23 games...

That said, I would have to think hard about it if the price wasn't high.

Cody Glass is a slightly more skilled but higher drafted Adam Ruzicka.
So many tools but just is lacking the heart and drive to be a consistent player.
Like Ruzicka not even a game to game lack of of consistency but a shift by shift lack of it.
I would pass on acquiring him.

[Sylvanfan]

What is the story with Ty Dellandrea in Dallas this season? He has a reasonably high pick in 2018, and has 28 points in 82 games in his first full NHL season last year. This year he's only been in 21 games. Don't watch enough hockey anymore to know if it's injury, or healthy scratches, or losing time due to the additions of Matt Duchene and Sam Steel sort of thing. Don't even know if he actually plays center even though he's listed as one. Would he be a guy you could get added to a deal who maybe could become a 3rd line center?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Lambert doesn't push the needle for me, he could be a good player but his GAF meter is very concerning, would rather a 1st.

Yes, but lots of upside, if he figures it out. But it's a risk for sure.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

What is the story with Ty Dellandrea in Dallas this season? He has a reasonably high pick in 2018, and has 28 points in 82 games in his first full NHL season last year. This year he's only been in 21 games. Don't watch enough hockey anymore to know if it's injury, or healthy scratches, or losing time due to the additions of Matt Duchene and Sam Steel sort of thing. Don't even know if he actually plays center even though he's listed as one. Would he be a guy you could get added to a deal who maybe could become a 3rd line center?

Not sure what the situation is with Dellandrea currently, but I’ve always liked him. He works hard, skates well, and can play a hard-nosed game. He could perhaps use a change of scenery, especially after looking like he was turning a corner last year.

[mikephoen]

Young elite centers almost never get traded. Someone mentioned Thornton and Seguin. That’s about it in the last 20+ years. So I guess start by trading with the Bruins?

Instead, just accept that the elite young centers that the Flames can acquire are currently 14,15,16, or 17 years old. The Flames will need to draft them.

Get more picks. For the next few years, draft as high as possible. Repeat until you have at least one elite center.

[traptor]

No one's trading a bona-fide top center.

If your trading for a young center you're hoping your scouts can identify someone that can break out and/or under utilized.

Miller, reinhart, RoR, Thompson, Zibanejeb and Seguin are all example of players that popped off after being traded and what the Flames are hoping to hit in a trade like this.

They'll probably make a swing like this as they've repeatedly said they don't want to rebuild but rather a 1 or 2 year retool.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Young elite centers almost never get traded. Someone mentioned Thornton and Seguin. That’s about it in the last 20+ years. So I guess start by trading with the Bruins?

Instead, just accept that the elite young centers that the Flames can acquire are currently 14,15,16, or 17 years old. The Flames will need to draft them.

Get more picks. For the next few years, draft as high as possible. Repeat until you have at least one elite center.

I think Eichel and ROR were the last 2, 1C to win a cup after a trade.

Aside from that you're mostly right. JT Miller was a good add by VAN. Some non elite top line centers changed teams in: Duchene, Horvat, Tavares, Lindholm, Reinhart(was a C), PLD, Stastny(?).

I think Norris might become available in OTT, because of his cap hit.Zegras in ANA.