Which young centers to pursue?

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Kotkaniemi interests me, largely because of his contract. He’s 23 and locked in at 4.8M cap until 2030. He’ll be practically free during his prime years. I don’t see him as ever being a #1 C, but I think he could be a solid middle six C like Backlund.

I don’t know if I would waste assets on a 30 point player making almost 5 million.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Cayden Lindstrom is exactly what the Flames need if they can find a way.

Amen to this.


A dream scenario to me is somehow swinging for a Lundell type, walking into the draft and snagging Lindstrom. That's your top 2 C locked in long term and you build with that.

[FlamesAddiction]

Random List:

Wright - Not panning out as quickly as people thought, but probably too early for Seattle to give up on. I'd say a long shot to acquire. But if he was available, Conroy would have to look into it.

Minten - Some question about his offensive upside in the NHL, but I have seen some people say he has Ryan O'Reilly upside. The Leafs are probably getting pretty desperate and might move him.

Kulich - A late first rounder playing in the AHL as a teenager and putting up decent numbers considering how young he is.

Sillinger - Made the NHL right after being drafted and put up decent numbers. Appears to have stalled out and could be a good buy low player with upside.

McMichael - Killed it in junior during his draft year, but hasn't really panned out since. I'd take a flyer on him.

Veleno - Fourth among ice time for centers in Detroit, but the deployment is pretty even for a lot of their depth centers. I think he might produce more with more ice-time.

Lundell - I doubt Florida would want to trade him, but definitely a guy I would ask for. I think he is trending in the right direction and could be more productive with an expanded role somewhere.

Zegras - Tonnes of skill but not doing much this season. His contract structure would be worrisome enough to stay away, but he could be a great player.

Greig - A bit of a wildcard IMO. He is coming along fine, but with Ottawa probably wanting to retool a bit, I could see them trading him.

Protas - Big huge center. I am not sure where his offensive upside will land, but I think he could at least be a great third line center. I doubt Washington wants to trade him though.

[gvitaly]

First of all, I think that Duchene ends up being a Flame in the off-season. We'll see if that's the case, but I could see the management seeing him as a stop gap.

Conroy specifically mentioned centers that are 24 or younger, and might benefit from an increased role, as something he might be looking for as a part of a trade. Here are some guys that I think might fit the description, and be available:

Player         Team    Age     Pos     GP     G     P     +/-     TOI
S. Pinto       OTT     22      RW/C     6     2     4     +2      16:22
F. Chytil      NYR     23      C/LW    10     0     6      0      15:55
M. Frost       PHI     24      C       39     7     22    +6      15:28
M. Geekie      BOS     24      C/RW    43     8     23    +10     15:24
G. Ridly       OTT     20      C/LW    37     7     18    +15     14:25
J. Drury       CAR     23      C/RW    48     7     18    +5      11:32
M. Rasmussen   DET     24      LW/C    50     10    22    +13     15:14
R. McLeod      EDM     23      C/RW    44     9     19    +11     14:23
J. Veleno      DET     24      C/RW    48     9     20    -11     14:43
A. Lundell     FLA     21      C/LW    45     4     18    +7      15:33
J. Kotkaniemi  CAR     22      C       48     9     18    -11     14:17
J. Parssinen   NSH     22      C       44     8     12    -6      14:35
E. Loustarinen FLA     25*     LW/C    49     8     13    -7      16:15

Out of that list, Kotkaniemi looks like an interesting gamble. I also like the OTT pieces, and Geekie is intriguing, just because of how well Greer played here. All in all it's a bunch of potential projects at center. Frost is only listed because I think there might not be a fit with Torts.

PS: Zegras also fits the bill, but I doubt we'll see him here.

[Vinny01]

Somewhat realistic young center targets.

Mercer, Lundell, Frost

[Reggie Dunlop]

Quinton Byfield

[Paulie Walnuts]

Lundell production is concerning. It’s significantly gone down every year.

[Rejean31]

Seth Jarvis or Dawson Mercer.

[transplant99]

Shane Pinto is one i think they should try and pry away.

[Wood]

If Hanifin isn’t re-signed, Buffalo seems like an ideal trade partner

Thompson is the #1, after him is

Cozens
Mittlesadt
Krebs
Savoie
Kulich
Ostlund

Mittlestadt is 25, Cozens and Krebs 22, the rest between 19-20

[kobasew19]

Norris for me. Sens need to make a move and he’s 24. The perfect age that Conroy wants.

[Teroy]

Morgan Geekie

[Matty81]

Seems like Lundell is the one they are perpetually chasing according the rumor mill

[Royle9]

Mittlesatd is a no go for me, his offensive upside is not very strong.
He's a better 3c than 2 or even 1B

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Wood

If Hanifin isn’t re-signed, Buffalo seems like an ideal trade partner

Thompson is the #1, after him is

Cozens
Mittlesadt
Krebs
Savoie
Kulich
Ostlund

Mittlestadt is 25, Cozens and Krebs 22, the rest between 19-20

Dahlin, Power, and Samuelsson are all left shot D signed long term. The first two are arguably better than Hanifin. Why would Buffalo want to add Hanifin?

[Snuffleupagus]

Both Jarvis and Necas are centers playing on the wing and both are due for a massive raise this summer, considering Carolina only has 3 signed Dmen for next year I think one would be available.

Tough to say who's better, both right shots, Necas is bigger but Jarvis is a touch more dynamic.

Hanafin for either one would work.

[Vinny01]

Necas could be another option

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Rejean31

Seth Jarvis or Dawson Mercer.

I can't see the Canes even thinking about trading Jarvis. He's 2nd in scoring on the team and they are comfortably in a playoff position. The acquisition cost would be huge.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Wood

If Hanifin isn’t re-signed, Buffalo seems like an ideal trade partner

Thompson is the #1, after him is

Cozens
Mittlesadt
Krebs
Savoie
Kulich
Ostlund

Mittlestadt is 25, Cozens and Krebs 22, the rest between 19-20

Krebs is barely an NHL player, stay away please

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I can't see the Canes even thinking about trading Jarvis. He's 2nd in scoring on the team and they are comfortably in a playoff position. The acquisition cost would be huge.

Agreed. I think Conroy is going to be looking at a player that is slipping on his current team or has yet to break out. Low cost player

Mercer Lundell would be my guess. We can’t afford to trade for a more sure fire #1 or 2 center yet.