Middle 6 Center Potential Additions

[BluesBirdsBuds]

Potential 2C Stop Gaps Available via FA:

• Granlund is the only real stopgap option, which is fine I guess but honestly boring and I'd want Schenn with Kyrou and Holloway anyways.

Potential 2C Stop Gaps Available the TDL:

• Ryan O’Reilly (if Preds fall off) – Familiar short-term fit; veteran presence; won’t block Dvorsky but still meh

• Vincent Trocheck (if Rangers disappoint) – Legit 2C who could become available, but also meh

If Just Waiting on Dvorsky:

• Brayden Schenn can hold the 2C spot. Worked well with Holloway & Kyrou last year.

Priority (IMO): Upgrade 3C

• Sundqvist is a 4C; no longer a viable 3C option.

• 3C Potential Trade Targets:

• • Shane Pinto

• • Ryan McLeod

• • Pavel Zacha

• 3C Free Agent Options:

• • Christian Dvorak

• • Radek Faksa

*All of these options would involve keeping Kyrou. I would trade him in the right scenario, but I don't see an available player that would be worth giving up at the moment. Dream scenario would be a guy like Larkin though if he were to ever push his way out of Detroit*

Honestly, I would re-sign Faksa and add either Dvorak via FA or go after Zacha, Mcleod, Pinto, or even ROR at the TDL. I'm high on Dvorsky but if we want to compete in next years playoffs, a 19 year old in a crucial position like 2/3 C just won't get it done. I'd rather see him beat out someone on the wing and play there temporarily if he's going to push for a spot late in the season.

Snuggered - Thomas - Buchnevich
Holloway - Schenn - Kyrou
Neighbors - _______ - Bolduc
Toropchenko - *Faksa* - Walker

_____ = one of Granlund, ROR, Trocheck, Dvorak, Zacha, Mcleod, Pinto, Dvorsky

Ex: Sundqvist, Joseph, Texier

[skilles]

Granlund is not boring for me at all, I would be thrilled with that in the current situation. Specially if we were also able to bring back Faksa.

I still have hope some guys become available for other team to accommodate free agents/trades.

[BluesBirdsBuds]

I still have hope some guys become available for other team to accommodate free agents/trades.

Same. Honestly this crop of players that I pulled doesn't impress me that much; it's just what I view as "available" / "potentially available" later this year.To become a legit contender, we need legit star power but I just don't see the right player out there right now. Again, a guy like Dylan Larkin is a pipe dream but he's exactly the type of player we need. Or if we want to role with Schenn/bet on Dvorksy, a guy like Brady Tkachuk would be massive. That would likely require us moving Kyrou though and I doubt that will be an option once that NTC kicks in.

[Army's Mom]

I'd be happy with either Dvorak or Granlund, though the latter will likely require more of an overpay.

Would love Faksa back, but only as a Sundqvist upgrade. Love Sunny D, but neither are more than 4th liners, and both would be redundant.

[Backesdraft]

Potential 2C Stop Gaps Available via FA:

• Granlund is the only real stopgap option, which is fine I guess but honestly boring and I'd want Schenn with Kyrou and Holloway anyways.

Potential 2C Stop Gaps Available the TDL:

• Ryan O’Reilly (if Preds fall off) – Familiar short-term fit; veteran presence; won’t block Dvorsky but still meh

• Vincent Trocheck (if Rangers disappoint) – Legit 2C who could become available, but also meh

If Just Waiting on Dvorsky:

• Brayden Schenn can hold the 2C spot. Worked well with Holloway & Kyrou last year.

Priority (IMO): Upgrade 3C

• Sundqvist is a 4C; no longer a viable 3C option.

• 3C Potential Trade Targets:

• • Shane Pinto

• • Ryan McLeod

• • Pavel Zacha

• 3C Free Agent Options:

• • Christian Dvorak

• • Radek Faksa

*All of these options would involve keeping Kyrou. I would trade him in the right scenario, but I don't see an available player that would be worth giving up at the moment. Dream scenario would be a guy like Larkin though if he were to ever push his way out of Detroit*

Honestly, I would re-sign Faksa and add either Dvorak via FA or go after Zacha, Mcleod, Pinto, or even ROR at the TDL. I'm high on Dvorsky but if we want to compete in next years playoffs, a 19 year old in a crucial position like 2/3 C just won't get it done. I'd rather see him beat out someone on the wing and play there temporarily if he's going to push for a spot late in the season.

Snuggered - Thomas - Buchnevich
Holloway - Schenn - Kyrou
Neighbors - _______ - Bolduc
Toropchenko - *Faksa* - Walker

_____ = one of Granlund, ROR, Trocheck, Dvorak, Zacha, Mcleod, Pinto, Dvorsky

Ex: Sundqvist, Joseph, Texier

My problem with Granlund is he isn’t an improvement over Schenn. To me, the problem with last season was we were forced to play Schenn at 2c which is: a) arguably a line higher than he should be at this point in his career, and b) the wrong place for him positionally (we all know he’s better on the left side).

Granlund doesn’t really fix that problem for us.

[BluesBirdsBuds]

Potential 2C Stop Gaps Available via FA:

• Granlund is the only real stopgap option, which is fine I guess but honestly boring and I'd want Schenn with Kyrou and Holloway anyways.

Potential 2C Stop Gaps Available the TDL:

• Ryan O’Reilly (if Preds fall off) – Familiar short-term fit; veteran presence; won’t block Dvorsky but still meh

• Vincent Trocheck (if Rangers disappoint) – Legit 2C who could become available, but also meh

If Just Waiting on Dvorsky:

• Brayden Schenn can hold the 2C spot. Worked well with Holloway & Kyrou last year.

Priority (IMO): Upgrade 3C

• Sundqvist is a 4C; no longer a viable 3C option.

• 3C Potential Trade Targets:

• • Shane Pinto

• • Ryan McLeod

• • Pavel Zacha

• 3C Free Agent Options:

• • Christian Dvorak

• • Radek Faksa

*All of these options would involve keeping Kyrou. I would trade him in the right scenario, but I don't see an available player that would be worth giving up at the moment. Dream scenario would be a guy like Larkin though if he were to ever push his way out of Detroit*

Honestly, I would re-sign Faksa and add either Dvorak via FA or go after Zacha, Mcleod, Pinto, or even ROR at the TDL. I'm high on Dvorsky but if we want to compete in next years playoffs, a 19 year old in a crucial position like 2/3 C just won't get it done. I'd rather see him beat out someone on the wing and play there temporarily if he's going to push for a spot late in the season.

Snuggered - Thomas - Buchnevich
Holloway - Schenn - Kyrou
Neighbors - _______ - Bolduc
Toropchenko - *Faksa* - Walker

_____ = one of Granlund, ROR, Trocheck, Dvorak, Zacha, Mcleod, Pinto, Dvorsky

Ex: Sundqvist, Joseph, Texier

My problem with Granlund is he isn’t an improvement over Schenn. To me, the problem with last season was we were forced to play Schenn at 2c which is: a) arguably a line higher than he should be at this point in his career, and b) the wrong place for him positionally (we all know he’s better on the left side).

Granlund doesn’t really fix that problem for us.

Agreed. The right player just isn't available at this time. Which leaves us in no-mans-land and no real chance at the cup tbh. If that's the case, we might as well role with Dvorsky and give him the experience at least. If the right player becomes available, we can always pivot.

[STL fan in MN]

Granlund is going to get soo overpaid now with pretty much all the other 2C UFA options already gone. Unless they can somehow get him for a fair AAV and term, I want them to stay far away from Granlund.

I’d kick the tires on Dvorak for sure though. But he’s probably going to get overpaid now too. Pius Suter too but I’m not too interested in overpaying for his 1 career year he’s unlikely to ever repeat again.

A lot of the trade options seem unlikely. You’ve already mentioned some of them.

Not super interested in Rossi.

I’d like to get Ryan McLeod but he’s likely only leaving Buffalo if he’s forces his way out like Peterka did.

Zacha is slow but he’s a good option.

Don’t see why Utah would consider trading Barrett Hayton but maybe. They’d probably want Kyrou though and I’m not sure that’d be worth it. There’d have to be an awfully bit + attached to Hayton IMO.

I’d still like to get Karlsson out of Vegas. They’re going to need to shed some salary if they want to be able to sign Marner…even if they LTIR Petro for the full season.

Pageau would be a decent add but I bet the Isles could get more for him in March so why would they trade him now?

Danault would be a great 3C but I see no reason for the Kings to want to trade him.

Pinto would be great too but again, why would OTT do it?

Maybe EDM would be willing to trade Henrique to shed salary? Doubt they’d want to deal with us again though lol. That and Henrique only scored 27 pts this season and is clearly declining.

Maybe Boone Jenner? I’ve always liked his game but he’s been playing more wing lately. I’d think CBJ would want to keep him too.

Just not a ton of obvious C options out there IMO.

[kimzey59]

No love for Pius Suter?
Guys gonna get overpaid, but he's gotta be towards the top of the UFA options.

[BluesBirdsBuds]

Forgot about Suter and Karlson would definitely fit in with the list of potential trade targets. Adding them to the list. Thanks fellas.

Still not super impressed with the overall crop of players but upgrading Sundqvist improves this group a lot IMO. Best case scenario, we make some noise in the playoffs but I don't think any of these players gets us over the hump for a cup. Weird spot to be in.

[zamadoo]

If we're talking dream scenarios..

Holloway-Thomas-Snugg
Bolduc-ROR-Perron
Schwartz-Schenn-Neighbours
Toro-Sunny-Walker

Fowler-Parayko
Dunn-Faulk
Broberg-Tucker

[a smell of green grass]

So what have we learned from this 2C and RHD predicament....?

A. Army is not able to trade his way out of bankruptcy. The Draft remains the only way to create a successful and complete roster.
B. Finding just any old guy to play a position hole will lead to dressing a mediocre barbie, not winning a Stanley Cup.
C. The teams that are in good shape at Center are the teams that have had TOP5 draft selections.
D. Next year, when the team starts winning in mid-February, and the top teams start losing, it might be a good idea to think about the NET RESULT.

[BalotelliMassive]

Veleno as a third center is an option - he was just bought out by Seattle.

[Army's Mom]

Veleno as a third center is an option - he was just bought out by Seattle.

Came here to say the same.

Not likely to be worth it, but maybe he's just a late bloomer? Former 1st rounder who is described as a reliable bottom six, but wouldn't cost much to acquire.

[DawgDad]

So what have we learned from this 2C and RHD predicament....?

A. Army is not able to trade his way out of bankruptcy. The Draft remains the only way to create a successful and complete roster.
B. Finding just any old guy to play a position hole will lead to dressing a mediocre barbie, not winning a Stanley Cup.
C. The teams that are in good shape at Center are the teams that have had TOP5 draft selections.
D. Next year, when the team starts winning in mid-February, and the top teams start losing, it might be a good idea to think about the NET RESULT.

A. ROR. Cup.
B. Um, the team has progressed to where plugging holes cheaply to accumulate picks and prospects is not the peimary focus anymore. He traded away Hayes, picked up Fowler for example.
C. The Blues have had Top5 picks and did not pick a center, yet they won a Cup.
D. The goal is to win, make the playoffs and compete for the Cup. Did you not hear Sir Charles? If you want to watch a team lose there are plenty of better options. Plenty.

[hockey jedi]

Maybe we could get Gunny too!

Our solution may be right under our nose. Go with center by committee. See how camp goes. See what other NHL centers could be on the move after camp. We have Faksa (sign cheap), Texier, Alexandrov, Dvo, Dean, Peterson, Stenberg, Jecho, Kaskamaki, and McGing and they won't cost us players or draft picks.

[zamadoo]

Maybe we could get Gunny too!

Our solution may be right under our nose. Go with center by committee. See how camp goes. See what other NHL centers could be on the move after camp. We have Faksa (sign cheap), Texier, Alexandrov, Dvo, Dean, Peterson, Stenberg, Jecho, Kaskamaki, and McGing and they won't cost us players or draft picks.

Actually I was thinking Bo comes out of retirement, but I'm sure Gunnar just needs one more chance!