Dr.Sens(e)
Registered User
Agree. I think both fall into (unless Zibby takes another big leap) the category of very good #2C's, less than ideal #1C's. It presents an interesting dilema. Do you roll with it and augment the wingers spots to compensate? Do you go **** out for a #1 C and have unreal C depth? Do you move one for a true #1 C?
I don't know that I have the right answer - but I would hate to move either one as I think they can be pieces of a winning team. Zibby taking another step forward next year would be cool. He's already good though.
I think this is one of the biggest things the team is likely grappling with long-term. Do we have all the pieces needed at center to compete for a Cup? There is certainly depth, but not sure on having a bonafide #1 center.
With Turris, he is our best center and we know what we have. He might improve a bit more, but we know what we have there - a really good 2nd line center who is overall pretty good at everything, albeit a bit undersized. Can be a #1 center in a pinch, but probably not in a long Cup run going against the league's best.
In Zbad, his upside is a bit higher and his recent chemistry with Ryan is encouraging. He plays a more power game, has higher goal scoring potential and could be a great compliment to Turris given his style and different style. They could move him to wing if a better top line center emerges.
Lazar could be a solid #2, or might just be a better winger, but I don't think anyone likely sees him as a #1 center with superior offensive upside to Turris and Zib. He might top out similarly offensively with a better all around game, but time will tell. Having them 1-2-3 could be terrific. Pageau is in the same boat, and might push Lazar to the wing at some point because of his.
All that said, drafting a Strome, Merkley, Zacha or Barzal at center would give us a player that perhaps as higher upside than what we have right now and might give us an asset to trade or another skilled forward to move to the wing. Certainly Zibby, Lazar or Pageau could always move to the wing in a pinch, although Pageau is the most likely to remain at center long-term. And we could be patient with the center for a few years, with no rush to make the team.
I'm ok with a potential top line winger or top pairing d-man pick, but I always lean towards centers all things being equal.
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