Which young centers to pursue?

[Sandman]

Hey, I've been a huge advocate for picking up Dawson Mercer, but I don't see the Devils trading him anytime soon.

[playmaker]

Dylan Cozens

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Hey, I've been a huge advocate for picking up Dawson Mercer, but I don't see the Devils trading him anytime soon.

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.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by playmaker

Dylan Cozens

I wish. That is a player I definitely think Is not going anywhere.

[Lanny_McDonald]

The challenge is going to be finding young players with upside that are caught in a log jam behind talent in their respective organizations or find teams desperate to fill holes elsewhere in the lineup. It's why I identified the names I did. Quality players who are caught behind a number of really high profile prospects. Target them and then figure out the weakness for that team and then lean into it. I view Toronto and Seattle as two teams we could lean on when it comes to this deadline where we might be able to get some very solid center prospects in return. Dangle our UFA defensemen out there and see what shakes loose. Those "B" level prospects can turn into gold with opportunity.

[Poster]

Could have just kept Ruzicka. All he needed was some time off the 4th line.

Another guy to target is Jaret Anderson Dolan. He is a Ryan O’Reilly who also was never given a chance.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Poster

Could have just kept Ruzicka. All he needed was some time off the 4th line.

Another guy to target is Jaret Anderson Dolan. He is a Ryan O’Reilly who also was never given a chance.

He had time off the 4th line, he wasn't an answer.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Put me down for Dawson Mercer. I wanted him in his draft year, but unfortunately wasn't available for the Flames to pick. I think the Flames wanted him too (just my thought, nothing official).

[Lanny_McDonald]

How do you pry Mercer out of New Jersey?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

How do you pry Mercer out of New Jersey?

He isn't untouchable, he is a good young player but he isn't Connor Bedard. It really depends on if New Jersey still thinks they can make a push and where Markstrom is.

[kehatch]

Celebrini, Lindstrom, Catton...

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

He isn't untouchable, he is a good young player but he isn't Connor Bedard. It really depends on if New Jersey still thinks they can make a push and where Markstrom is.

I’ll eat a hat if Markstrom gets Mercer in return. Lol

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

He isn't untouchable, he is a good young player but he isn't Connor Bedard. It really depends on if New Jersey still thinks they can make a push and where Markstrom is.

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?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

How do you pry Mercer out of New Jersey?

Have to think Hanifin would be of consideration. Maybe they roll with Hanifin and Markstrom (Hanifin at 50%) and just accept he’s a pure rental. Mercer and and a 2nd in any year would suffice.

I am just speculating here, but imo Hanifin either stays or he is just a pure rental and goes to Boston.

[Aarongavey]

I still think one of Pinto or Grieg is the guy you target. Neither of them are going to get top 6 minutes in Ottawa and Staios has said he wants to change the culture. Ottawa has enough talent they should be winning more. I might be crazy but I think either one of those guys could be available if Tanev is signed as part of a Tanev for one of them deal. Put Tanev with Sanderson and hope it turns Sanderson into a superstar.

Flames have enough space to sign either one of those guys longterm this summer.

[VilleN]

Do the Flames see Zary as a C moving forward? If they do he’s probably going to play 3C initially, his ceiling is probably 2C. Which leaves Backlund and Kadri as our other Cs. So as it stands, Kadri(1C), Backlund (2C), Zary (3C) … if we grab a young 2C, does Backs play as our 4C? I think we’ll need to draft our true 1C in the next couple of years…

[Doctorfever]

Originally Posted by VilleN

Do the Flames see Zary as a C moving forward? If they do he’s probably going to play 3C initially, his ceiling is probably 2C. Which leaves Backlund and Kadri as our other Cs. So as it stands, Kadri(1C), Backlund (2C), Zary (3C) … if we grab a young 2C, does Backs play as our 4C? I think we’ll need to draft our true 1C in the next couple of years…

Came here to post this. Agree that Zary should get a shot at C.

We definitely should be trying to draft a1C / 2C type player, but of course there are no guarantees there.

Teams who have a young C that the Flames would covet will be asking lots in return, rightfully so when you look at what we got for Lindy (older and UFA). I wouldn’t be against trading for a younger C, if you are convinced he will be a true 1C.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

BT could be BSing the media but he came out before and said their 2024 1st, Knies, Cowen, and Minten are all off the table. So seeing how they don't have much else I take that as the Leafs standing pat this deadline. Like I said he could be full of crap though.

I see it as posturing, nothing more. He knows what assets he has, and he knows what prices are - he either bridges the gap, or he is left on the outside looking in.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Have to think Hanifin would be of consideration. Maybe they roll with Hanifin and Markstrom (Hanifin at 50%) and just accept he’s a pure rental. Mercer and and a 2nd in any year would suffice.

I am just speculating here, but imo Hanifin either stays or he is just a pure rental and goes to Boston.

Not sure you get a player that is 4th in ice time for forwards on a team for a rental like Hanifin. I think it's been established that high performing young players rarely get traded at the deadline, so it would be a real anomaly for New Jersey to deal Mercer for rental. You would have to be really certain that Mercer was a 1st line center to dump those two assets to get only Mercer and a 2nd (which the Devils don't have until 2025). That would be a really bold move by Conroy.

[Bingo]

Being older I have Hnat Domenichelli-itis ...

The Flames had better be careful not to overspend on players not turning out the way teams hoped.

Calgary tried that how many times? Botteril? Wiemer, Domenichelli ... I'm sure there are others.