Young Centers in the West

[mph6689new]

Lots of optimism in this thread. Copy the names in the OP and come back in a decade. Some of them will be superstars, some will be good, and some will be long gone from the teams that drafted them.

In 2020 the Kings had the top farm system (according to ESPN). Next was the Rangers, Senators, Wild, and Red Wings.

Outside of the Kings and before this year New York has any of those teams even graduated to consistent playoff teams, much less a favorite? I say the Rangers and their Presidents Trophy is the only example of a bonafide contender out of 5 teams across a five years sample.

The Stars meanwhile with Robertson, Oettinger, and Harley in their system were 21st. (Blues- 28th)

I’m not saying these teams won’t build better than the 2020 examples but at least one of those fanbases (and probably more realistically two or three of them) are going to look back at the prospects in the OP and wonder what the heck happened.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/455 ... redictions

Very pertinent and good counterpoint to consider. I had not thought about a look-back. Now I’m curious about more years of comparison.

[Barksdale's People]

Lots of optimism in this thread. Copy the names in the OP and come back in a decade. Some of them will be superstars, some will be good, and some will be long gone from the teams that drafted them.

In 2020 the Kings had the top farm system (according to ESPN). Next was the Rangers, Senators, Wild, and Red Wings.

Outside of the Kings and before this year New York has any of those teams even graduated to consistent playoff teams, much less a favorite? I say the Rangers and their Presidents Trophy is the only example of a bonafide contender out of 5 teams across a five years sample.

The Stars meanwhile with Robertson, Oettinger, and Harley in their system were 21st. (Blues- 28th)

I’m not saying these teams won’t build better than the 2020 examples but at least one of those fanbases (and probably more realistically two or three of them) are going to look back at the prospects in the OP and wonder what the heck happened.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/455 ... redictions

Very pertinent and good counterpoint to consider. I had not thought about a look-back. Now I’m curious about more years of comparison.

2016 link from ESPN- (both links are paywall I believe) https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/story/ ... aple-leafs

Top 5- Toronto, Arizona, Winnipeg, Columbus, Carolina


Big fan of what Chicago and San Jose have built up in particular, prospect wise. I think Utah has made a few really shrewd moves with their NHL roster since last years’ draft and expect them to continue to rise. Not as high on Anaheim or Seattle but I truly have no idea what I’m talking about when it comes to the finer points of team and scheme fit, coaching preferences, etc.

But if any of these teams are worrying the true contenders within a few years I’d be shocked. It’d take an OKC Thunder like rise and I’m not sure that exists in hockey with the way the playoffs are so different.

[BalotelliMassive]

Regarding your team, please rank your centers and d-men in the order of upside from your perspective.
Also, predict what current center(s) will eventually end up on the wing.
If both of your young RHD reach their potential, the Hawks are going to be dynamite for years.

Center depth top to bottom: Nazar, Bedard, Frondell, Boisvert

Both Bedard and Nazar have played well on the wing but it's still too early to tell.

On defense I have Sam Rinzel above Levshunov due to experience and how they're both looked at the NHL level. Ethan Del Maestro is probably the next best after that.

https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhaw ... t-updates/

[TheJackBurton]

Look at the very young centers of 5 of the non playoff western conference teams below.
I don't ever recall seeing that many teams with at least 3 centers deep that young that have very good to high end potential.

Teams listed alphabetically

Anaheim
L. Carlsson
M. McTavish
R. McQueen

Chicago
C. Bedard
A. Frondell
S. Boisvert
O. Moore

San Jose
M. Celebrini
M. Misa
W. Smith

Seattle
M. Beniers
S. Wright
B. Catton
J. O'Brien

Utah
L. Cooley
C. Desnoyers
C. Beaudoin


Anaheim, Seattle, and Utah are currently ahead of Chicago & San Jose as far as being close to making the playoffs, but for how long?

Not every center listed above will pan out or stay at center, but all I know is that Dvorsky better be a stud or we're screwed.

How would you rank the 5 listed teams centers on potential?

Interesting.
We Basically have Dvo. I hate to say it. But Steens looking (bleep)

Why is Steen (bleep)? Thomas and Dvorsky are going to be every bit as dominate as those. Many of those are just prospects, like Dvorsky, so a decent amount aren't going to pan out or be below expectations.

I mean we are already discussing a trade with Seattle for one of Beniers or Wright because neither have been what you would consider "dominate"

Time will tell, but Steen isn't (bleep).

[BluesDom]

Lots of exciting players in the league. They arent all developed yet. Many of these names will bust or underwhelm.

[a smell of green grass]

Many of these names will bust or underwhelm.

All of them were high selections in the draft. If you are concerned that many of them will bust or underwhelm, you must be practically laughing at the Blues prospects.

[DawgDad]

Many of these names will bust or underwhelm.

All of them were high selections in the draft. If you are concerned that many of them will bust or underwhelm, you must be practically laughing at the Blues prospects.

Laughing . . .

Dalibor Dvorsky, a St. Louis Blues prospect, was named to the AHL's 2024-25 Top Prospects Team, indicating he's considered a top future NHL player. He played for the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) this season, scoring 21 goals and adding 24 assists in 61 games. The team is the top affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. Dvorsky was also recognized for his strong play at the AHL All-Star Game.

-- from AI in Google

[BluesDom]

Might see a changing of the guard in the west. San Jose and Anaheim and Utah as top dogs. Should be interesting.

[a smell of green grass]

Many of these names will bust or underwhelm.

All of them were high selections in the draft. If you are concerned that many of them will bust or underwhelm, you must be practically laughing at the Blues prospects.

Laughing . . .

Dalibor Dvorsky, a St. Louis Blues prospect, was named to the AHL's 2024-25 Top Prospects Team, indicating he's considered a top future NHL player. He played for the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) this season, scoring 21 goals and adding 24 assists in 61 games. The team is the top affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. Dvorsky was also recognized for his strong play at the AHL All-Star Game.

-- from AI in Google

Nobody is hoping for Dvorsky to shine more than me. I love the kid, and I want to get a Dvorsky jersey.

My point with this post is that players picked outside the TOP5 are much more likely to bust than players in the TOP5. When you look at the Centers in the West, I see trouble, not busts.

[BluesDom]

The good news--Seattle doesnt need all those centers. They can trade us one.

[Cahokanut]

Look at the very young centers of 5 of the non playoff western conference teams below.
I don't ever recall seeing that many teams with at least 3 centers deep that young that have very good to high end potential.

Teams listed alphabetically

Anaheim
L. Carlsson
M. McTavish
R. McQueen

Chicago
C. Bedard
A. Frondell
S. Boisvert
O. Moore

San Jose
M. Celebrini
M. Misa
W. Smith

Seattle
M. Beniers
S. Wright
B. Catton
J. O'Brien

Utah
L. Cooley
C. Desnoyers
C. Beaudoin


Anaheim, Seattle, and Utah are currently ahead of Chicago & San Jose as far as being close to making the playoffs, but for how long?

Not every center listed above will pan out or stay at center, but all I know is that Dvorsky better be a stud or we're screwed.

How would you rank the 5 listed teams centers on potential?

Interesting.
We Basically have Dvo. I hate to say it. But Steens looking (bleep)

Why is Steen (bleep)? Thomas and Dvorsky are going to be every bit as dominate as those. Many of those are just prospects, like Dvorsky, so a decent amount aren't going to pan out or be below expectations.

I mean we are already discussing a trade with Seattle for one of Beniers or Wright because neither have been what you would consider "dominate"

Time will tell, but Steen isn't (bleep).

We are always talking Benier or Wright. While Army is thinking, wishing, wanting, looking and finding, another 34yo.

We are always thinking our soon to be 21yo, 10th overall pick is going to be dominate. while thinking another 22yo, already having a 60pt season at 20, will bust.

Almost feels on propose.

[TheJackBurton]

Look at the very young centers of 5 of the non playoff western conference teams below.
I don't ever recall seeing that many teams with at least 3 centers deep that young that have very good to high end potential.

Teams listed alphabetically

Anaheim
L. Carlsson
M. McTavish
R. McQueen

Chicago
C. Bedard
A. Frondell
S. Boisvert
O. Moore

San Jose
M. Celebrini
M. Misa
W. Smith

Seattle
M. Beniers
S. Wright
B. Catton
J. O'Brien

Utah
L. Cooley
C. Desnoyers
C. Beaudoin


Anaheim, Seattle, and Utah are currently ahead of Chicago & San Jose as far as being close to making the playoffs, but for how long?

Not every center listed above will pan out or stay at center, but all I know is that Dvorsky better be a stud or we're screwed.

How would you rank the 5 listed teams centers on potential?

Interesting.
We Basically have Dvo. I hate to say it. But Steens looking (bleep)

Why is Steen (bleep)? Thomas and Dvorsky are going to be every bit as dominate as those. Many of those are just prospects, like Dvorsky, so a decent amount aren't going to pan out or be below expectations.

I mean we are already discussing a trade with Seattle for one of Beniers or Wright because neither have been what you would consider "dominate"

Time will tell, but Steen isn't (bleep).

We are always talking Benier or Wright. While Army is thinking, wishing, wanting, looking and finding, another 34yo.

We are always thinking our soon to be 21yo, 10th overall pick is going to be dominate. while thinking another 22yo, already having a 60pt season at 20, will bust.

Almost feels on propose.

Who is calling them a bust? They haven't quite lived up to expectations at this point but that doesn't mean anything.

We can still actually get one of them, they don't have a NTC nor do any of our prospects.