Which young centers to pursue?

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Trading for one is going to be expensive teams don’t usually ship guys like that away. I don’t think this team is that position to part with picks and assets when the guy we get won’t be surrounded by a lot of talent and prime years go to waste.

We really just need to draft and develop.

You might reliably draft and develop quality forwards like Backlund, Pelletier and Coronato with mid to late first round picks, but doing so with a true high end offensive talent is next to impossible unless you're picking in the top 5 of the draft.

For every Tage Thompson there are hundreds of whiffs so I don't see how this can be a logical path for the Flames to take in order to land a true elite young center.

This team needs to jettison Hanifin, Tanev and possibly Markstrom asap to truly plummet down the standings and hope to draft one of the top 3 or 4 forwards that might just be a cornerstone to build around. That combined with the assets returned in those deals will set this team up for the future quite well.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

You might reliably draft and develop quality forwards like Backlund, Pelletier and Coronato with mid to late first round picks, but doing so with a true high end offensive talent is next to impossible unless you're picking in the top 5 of the draft.

For every Tage Thompson there are hundreds of whiffs so I don't see how this can be a logical path for the Flames to take in order to land a true elite young center.

This team needs to jettison Hanifin, Tanev and possibly Markstrom asap to truly plummet down the standings and hope to draft one of the top 3 or 4 forwards that might just be a cornerstone to build around. That combined with the assets returned in those deals will set this team up for the future quite well.

I agree but the Flames have consistently shied away from the tank approach previously. I don’t see that changing.

[GioforPM]

Note: The only pure top centre consistently at the top of the 2024 draft is Celebrini. There are some players who are called winger/centres around but they (a) aren't consistently top 5 and (b) not even consistently listed as Cs - even partially.

[Sylvanfan]

I think overall depth at the position is a major weakness right now. Everyone here seemingly wants to trade for a top 6 guy. But I think future drafts are where you'll need to find those pieces. I think you also need to look for a potential 3rd line guy who can give you a couple years service behind Kadri and Backlund. So is there anyone else like Dellandrea who is having an off year who maybe doesn't have Lindholm type upside, but might be able to be a decent two way guy who could be a 30 point player on the cheap.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by traptor

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

People keep saying this and it just isn't true. Hell, one of the biggest young centres in Eichel was just traded a few years ago.

[GioforPM]

Younger players are making demands that are getting them traded more and more I think. PLD was a 3OA and asked for a trade right after his forst RFA deal. Tkachuk wasn't a centre, but obviously forced a trade. Suzuki got traded before he played a game. Trochek was traded.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

People keep saying this and it just isn't true. Hell, one of the biggest young centres in Eichel was just traded a few years ago.

I think this is a bit of a reach. The circumstances around the Eichel trade were not exactly common. An injury (and disagreement on treatment) leading to the player forcing the Sabre's hand. Not exactly a common scenario, in my opinion. Outside of Eichel and the previously mentioned Thornton and Sequin, who else would qualify?

I mean it has happened so it is not impossible, but it is pretty rare. Would love to see it happen for the Flames but like many, I think the draft is our best chance at acquiring that kind of talent.

[Ped]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Younger players are making demands that are getting them traded more and more I think. PLD was a 3OA and asked for a trade right after his forst RFA deal. Tkachuk wasn't a centre, but obviously forced a trade. Suzuki got traded before he played a game. Trochek was traded.

Did Suzuki demand to be traded? They traded him to get Pacioretty. Wasn't Trochek traded becasue Florida was being cheap?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I think this is a bit of a reach. The circumstances around the Eichel trade were not exactly common. An injury (and disagreement on treatment) leading to the player forcing the Sabre's hand. Not exactly a common scenario, in my opinion. Outside of Eichel and the previously mentioned Thornton and Sequin, who else would qualify?

I mean it has happened so it is not impossible, but it is pretty rare. Would love to see it happen for the Flames but like many, I think the draft is our best chance at acquiring that kind of talent.

Pierre Luc Dubois
Nick Suzuki
Ryan Johansen who was a 23 year old #1 C at the time
I believe Tyler Seguin was 22 when he was dealt to Dallas
That is off the top of my head, my point is isn't impossible.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

People keep saying this and it just isn't true. Hell, one of the biggest young centres in Eichel was just traded a few years ago.

True, but his injury history plays a major role into the why. In 3 seasons before this he missed 78 games and played.122, and he is currently out again now week to week having just had "Lower Body" surgery. He helped a good mature team get over the top, and might do the same this year. But if he's healthy and has low risk for that...he never hits the block.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Pierre Luc Dubois
Nick Suzuki
Ryan Johansen who was a 23 year old #1 C at the time
I believe Tyler Seguin was 22 when he was dealt to Dallas
That is off the top of my head, my point is isn't impossible.

Was Johansen a true #1C he seemed to stall.

Seguin was traded due to character issues, and so was Dubois.

Eichel forced his way out of Vegas and he had question surrounding him as well.

It's a chance you can take, but you are likely getting a broken player.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Was Johansen a true #1C he seemed to stall.

Seguin was traded due to character issues, and so was Dubois.

Eichel forced his way out of Vegas and he had question surrounding him as well.

It's a chance you can take, but you are likely getting a broken player.

RJ was coming off a 71 point season.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

RJ was coming off a 71 point season.

He was traded for Seth Jones.

I don't think we have someone in the pipeline like that.

I also think his skating issues and bad blood with the Jackets led to the trade.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

People keep saying this and it just isn't true. Hell, one of the biggest young centres in Eichel was just traded a few years ago.

Wasn't it you that said no chance getting Cozens? There's a reason that the Sabres and Devils are likely getting a lot of calls on him and Mercer and neither team is moving them. As other posters have said you can get centers but there's usually a reason they are on the market.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Ped

Did Suzuki demand to be traded? They traded him to get Pacioretty. Wasn't Trochek traded becasue Florida was being cheap?

No, he didn't. I kind of merged ideas there - some that forced a trade into just trading young top centres.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Wasn't it you that said no chance getting Cozens? There's a reason that the Sabres and Devils are likely getting a lot of calls on him and Mercer and neither team is moving them. As other posters have said you can get centers but there's usually a reason they are on the market.

I think there is a large difference between Cozens and Mercer. Cozens is the better player and they don't have the centre depth the Devils have where they can part with him. I don't think there is any chance we could get Cozens but saying a team won't move them is just wrong. If a GM thinks an offer will make their team better they will trade anyone.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

People keep saying this and it just isn't true. Hell, one of the biggest young centres in Eichel was just traded a few years ago.

He also needed a never done in the NHL back surgery.

But okay sure. If a top center has a major injury and demands out, there's a chance they may become available.

I dont see any of these guys on the current market.
If the flames want to make a trade for a center it will most likely be based on potential they see.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

People keep saying this and it just isn't true. Hell, one of the biggest young centres in Eichel was just traded a few years ago.

Any one can be had for a price.

[Roof-Daddy]

"You can't trade for young #1C's, they are never available"

*guy lists off some young #1C's that have been traded*

"Yeah but those young #1C's don't count because of reasons"

lmao

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

"You can't trade for young #1C's, they are never available"

*guy lists off some young #1C's that have been traded*

"Yeah but those young #1C's don't count because of reasons"

lmao

Every. Single. Time.