2C or not 2C?

[salbutera]

Either get a vet stop gap like Stamkos, or trade for younger and proven talent. But to do that, HFboarders, it will mean that young talent and high draft picks go the other way. No Ryder, Halak +2nd here. Time to suffer on this board! Are you ready for this?

I’m not entirely sold on HuGo’s ability in pro player evaluation / procurement - they seem better suited to acquiring picks not NHL caliber players in trades, which they seem 50/50 at

Clear Success:
- Petry + Poehling for Matheson
- Laine for Harris

Clear Failures:
- Lekhonen for Barron
- Dach

TBD:
- Toffoli for Pitlick + Heineman
- Carrier for Barron

 

[Rapala]

Either get a vet stop gap like Stamkos, or trade for younger and proven talent. But to do that, HFboarders, it will mean that young talent and high draft picks go the other way. No Ryder, Halak +2nd here. Time to suffer on this board! Are you ready for this?

This is no longer an option it is a must Dach's situation has put an end to the argument about which hole has become the priority. This is why for me Beck's transition has become critically important for our future. We may have to give up a number of promising assets depending on how we decide to fill the void.

 

[Rapala]

I’m not entirely sold on HuGo’s ability in pro player evaluation / procurement - they seem better suited to acquiring picks not NHL caliber players in trades, which they seem 50/50 at

Clear Success:
- Petry + Poehling for Matheson
- Laine for Harris

Clear Failures:
- Lekhonen for Barron
- Dach

TBD:
- Toffoli for Pitlick + Heineman
- Carrier for Barron

I don't think it's a fair assessment. We were never trying to fill a specific hole with the quality of player we now HAVE TO acquire to keep the build moving the right way. This upcoming off season has long been earmarked as the most important in our rebuild. HuGo admitted as much early this year. The early moves were all fair gambles IMO given where we were at the time. The Stakes have gone up big time.

 

[Scriptor]

Either get a vet stop gap like Stamkos, or trade for younger and proven talent. But to do that, HFboarders, it will mean that young talent and high draft picks go the other way. No Ryder, Halak +2nd here. Time to suffer on this board! Are you ready for this?

Whomever we get that is in the young core's age range will be a question mark as far as becoming a successful acquisition, IMO, because most teams would not trade a blue chip C in that age range.

Still believe we need to draft such a player and a stop-gap C, especially via the UFA market, or a trade that might not cost that much (Stamkos, because of the cap hit), seems to be the right avenue.

Otherwise, we need to be certain of whom we acquire and that would mean an older C with concerns about demising returns at the end of their current contract, such as a Horvat, and that would likely cost a Hage as a prospect, along with something currently NHL level, plus maybe a draft pick.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I think we should be looking for number 1 centerman if possible. I'd rather pay a premium and get somebody back who we can rely on should Suzuki go down. Obviously not many of these guys are available but we've got a lot to trade with. It'd be so nice to have a 1A, 1B option.

 

[OldCraig71]

Either get a vet stop gap like Stamkos, or trade for younger and proven talent. But to do that, HFboarders, it will mean that young talent and high draft picks go the other way. No Ryder, Halak +2nd here. Time to suffer on this board! Are you ready for this?

Let it rip!

 

[waitin425]

As Hamlet famously said, “We’re F***ed.” We cannot be serious cup contenders without a legitimate #2 center.

Others have argued that the same holds true for the right side of our D. But at least we have Rein-O and Mailloux in the pipeline who might hit and, though not ideal, a left D can play on right side.

I love Beck but can’t see him as a true 2C and while Hage might get there, he is too young to fit Suzy’s window, ie by the time he’s a 2C, Nick will likely be too old to be a 1C.

Sure we can wait for the Demigod, Hage, Fowler, Slaf window, but a playoff series win this decade would be nice.

I just don’t see how we get it done. Overpay? Sure. But Bennet? Does he even get to free agency and can you bet 7 years on him? RFAs? Sebastian Aho says Hi. Does anyone trade a quality center in his 20s? Even for 3 first round picks (ours, Calgary’s and the one coming for Evans and Armia)?

The Prince of Denmark and I would love some optimism. Neither Rosencrantz nor Guildenstern can play down the middle.

We need a 2C no doubt about it. Suzuki will be 26 this summer. Even if he begins to decline at age 30, we have 4 years to find a replacement/2nd line centre for him. If Hage arrives in summer of 2026, he is probably 2nd line centre by the start of 2027, when Suzuki is 28. Hage can grow for a couple of years while Suzuki is still at/near prime and hopefully take over 1st line centre when Suzuki begins to slow in his 30's. If Suzuki is the type of guy that stays prime until 34ish, well we are in very good shape then.

A lot of this hinges on Hage reaching potential.

Which is why I say yes......we need a 2C right now. It is time to enter our window for the 25/26 season.

This summer we need to be players in the UFA market and Bennett is my #1 target for centre.

Of note....I also keep Dach and Evans. Slide Dach over to wing, but he can certainly play centre in a pinch. Newhook can stay as a winger as well and Kapanen plays centre.

Bennett is the key. This lineup down the middle is far more safe and we would have Dach, Newhook and Kapanen who can all slide to the middle in a pinch. This lineup should be contending for the playoffs.

2025/26

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - Bennett - Demidov
Heinemen - Beck - Dach
Newhook - Evans - Anderson
Gally/Kapanen

When Hage arrives we have flexibility to move players off to strengthen other areas.

 

[Scotianhab]

I’m not entirely sold on HuGo’s ability in pro player evaluation / procurement - they seem better suited to acquiring picks not NHL caliber players in trades, which they seem 50/50 at

Clear Success:
- Petry + Poehling for Matheson
- Laine for Harris

Clear Failures:
- Lekhonen for Barron
- Dach

TBD:
- Toffoli for Pitlick + Heineman
- Carrier for Barron

Your TBD trades are both wins imo. Heineman has played pretty well as a rookie.
Most of us didn’t want to see Barron play anymore so Carrier to me is a nice upgrade and gives a bit more veteran presence.

 

[Essenege]

We're missing a 2C and a 3C for next season.

Evans and Beck can fight for 4C, while Dach is back to LW.

Beck has 3C upside for sure although he’s not there yet at all. Evans/Beck on the bottom 6 is fine if we have an offense oriented option at 2c

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

We need a 2C no doubt about it. Suzuki will be 26 this summer. Even if he begins to decline at age 30, we have 4 years to find a replacement/2nd line centre for him. If Hage arrives in summer of 2026, he is probably 2nd line centre by the start of 2027, when Suzuki is 28. Hage can grow for a couple of years while Suzuki is still at/near prime and hopefully take over 1st line centre when Suzuki begins to slow in his 30's. If Suzuki is the type of guy that stays prime until 34ish, well we are in very good shape then.

A lot of this hinges on Hage reaching potential.

Which is why I say yes......we need a 2C right now. It is time to enter our window for the 25/26 season.

This summer we need to be players in the UFA market and Bennett is my #1 target for centre.

Of note....I also keep Dach and Evans. Slide Dach over to wing, but he can certainly play centre in a pinch. Newhook can stay as a winger as well and Kapanen plays centre.

Bennett is the key. This lineup down the middle is far more safe and we would have Dach, Newhook and Kapanen who can all slide to the middle in a pinch. This lineup should be contending for the playoffs.

2025/26

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - Bennett - Demidov
Heinemen - Beck - Dach
Newhook - Evans - Anderson
Gally/Kapanen

When Hage arrives we have flexibility to move players off to strengthen other areas.

I just don't see Bennett being available. The Panthers are the defending cup champs. They're not going to let him walk.

I think we need to look at clubs where they may be starting to look at a rebuild. We can help with that in the form of picks and prospects. Maybe it's an older player who acts as a bridge.

Five years ago it'd have been insane to even suggest trading for Crosby. Now though? Pittsburgh is cooked. Malkin and Karlsson are old... We might just be able to get him. And imagine the effect he'd have on our younger players. Imagine a guy like Demidov or Slaf playing with him and learning from him. Even Suzuki and Caufield would learn from him.

Crosby probably has another four or five decent years left. He's still a top center and could easily slot in as a number two at minimum over that period of time.

Dylan Cozens is an option. He's younger but his play has declined since losing a big fight a few years ago. His contract is expensive too. The upside of a great player is there but he comes with real risk.

Stamkos I think as someone else put it - is washed. How much of his offense was due to playing with Kucherov and that great club in Tampa? 8 mil a year for a guy who's not producing... I think we stay away.

Malkin would be another older player we could target. He'd be less expensive and easier to get than Crosby but also less compelling.

 

[zzoo]

Please don't be like Bergevin. Let's hope that Hughes could resolve the issue of 2C this summer, even though Dach will be back. Dach can't be 2C. He's 3C or a winger.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Quartexx client Sam Bennett will be a Hab come July

 

[Lshap]

As Hamlet famously said, “We’re F***ed.” We cannot be serious cup contenders without a legitimate #2 center.

Others have argued that the same holds true for the right side of our D. But at least we have Rein-O and Mailloux in the pipeline who might hit and, though not ideal, a left D can play on right side.

I love Beck but can’t see him as a true 2C and while Hage might get there, he is too young to fit Suzy’s window, ie by the time he’s a 2C, Nick will likely be too old to be a 1C.

Sure we can wait for the Demigod, Hage, Fowler, Slaf window, but a playoff series win this decade would be nice.

I just don’t see how we get it done. Overpay? Sure. But Bennet? Does he even get to free agency and can you bet 7 years on him? RFAs? Sebastian Aho says Hi. Does anyone trade a quality center in his 20s? Even for 3 first round picks (ours, Calgary’s and the one coming for Evans and Armia)?

The Prince of Denmark and I would love some optimism. Neither Rosencrantz nor Guildenstern can play down the middle.

Major props for a well-written OP!

 

[Lshap]

Either get a vet stop gap like Stamkos, or trade for younger and proven talent. But to do that, HFboarders, it will mean that young talent and high draft picks go the other way. No Ryder, Halak +2nd here. Time to suffer on this board! Are you ready for this?

C'est ça. If we want boldness and vision, we have to accept the cost. How would you feel about trading Caufield? How about Beck and Hage? This year's 1st?

If we expect another team to give up a top-6 C, we need to give up something equally valuable.

 

[Skip Bayless]

Quartexx client Sam Bennett will be a Hab come July

Bennett is a useful player, but I think we should aim for better.

 

[Deebs]

I think we should be looking for number 1 centerman if possible. I'd rather pay a premium and get somebody back who we can rely on should Suzuki go down. Obviously not many of these guys are available but we've got a lot to trade with. It'd be so nice to have a 1A, 1B option.

Offersheet Wyatt Johnson....7 years @ $11.45M. It would cost us 2 1st's, a 2nd and a 3rd.

 

[Scriptor]

I just don't see Bennett being available. The Panthers are the defending cup champs. They're not going to let him walk.

I think we need to look at clubs where they may be starting to look at a rebuild. We can help with that in the form of picks and prospects. Maybe it's an older player who acts as a bridge.

Five years ago it'd have been insane to even suggest trading for Crosby. Now though? Pittsburgh is cooked. Malkin and Karlsson are old... We might just be able to get him. And imagine the effect he'd have on our younger players. Imagine a guy like Demidov or Slaf playing with him and learning from him. Even Suzuki and Caufield would learn from him.

Crosby probably has another four or five decent years left. He's still a top center and could easily slot in as a number two at minimum over that period of time.

Dylan Cozens is an option. He's younger but his play has declined since losing a big fight a few years ago. His contract is expensive too. The upside of a great player is there but he comes with real risk.

Stamkos I think as someone else put it - is washed. How much of his offense was due to playing with Kucherov and that great club in Tampa? 8 mil a year for a guy who's not producing... I think we stay away.

Malkin would be another older player we could target. He'd be less expensive and easier to get than Crosby but also less compelling.

Imagine a guy like Demidov or Slaf playing with him and learning from him. Even Suzuki and Caufield would learn from him.

Or both!

Caufield - Suzuki - Laine
Slafkovsky - Crosby - Demidov

By the time Crosby's contract is up, and another 2C option develops internally, there will be enough experienced, talented wingers in full confidence to help along the replacement 2C.

 

[Scriptor]

Offersheet Wyatt Johnson....7 years @ $11.45M. It would cost us 2 1st's, a 2nd and a 3rd.

Why would his team not match? He is only 21 and improving every year, trending for over 70 points in his third season?


I think it would be a great acquisition that is perhaps more off the radar. 11.45M could, however, be a bit rich.

Suzuki is 5 years older and that would, however, make a good changing of the guards as both players get older, Suzuki coming out of his prime as Johnson gets into his.

Hage could also slide in as a 3rd C, then get promoted to 2nd C down the line as Suzuki settles into a two-way Third line C to end his career.

 

[Deebs]

Why would his team not match? He is only 21 and improving every year, trending for over 70 points in his third season?


I think it would be a great acquisition that is perhaps more off the radar. 11.45M could, however, be a bit rich.

Suzuki is 5 years older and that would, however, make a good changing of the guards as both players get older, Suzuki coming out of his prime as Johnson gets into his.

Hage could also slide in as a 3rd C, then get promoted to 2nd C down the line as Suzuki settles into a two-way Third line C to end his career.

Not sure...maybe they'll think $11.4 is too rich like you said. I'd rather overpay for a young star than trying to sign old players like Crosby or Duchene.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Offersheet Wyatt Johnson....7 years @ $11.45M. It would cost us 2 1st's, a 2nd and a 3rd.

Offersheets are calculated on a 5 year average of the total cost if it goes past 5 years, meaning that would be a $16M offer sheet, or 4 1sts.

 

[Deebs]

Offersheets are calculated on a 5 year average of the total cost if it goes past 5 years, meaning that would be a $16M offer sheet, or 4 1sts.

Ok, then 5 years it is

Actually, that might work in our favour. Say he signs it, then when he's 28, he can sign his big ticket to close out his career. Wishful thinking I know lol

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Ok, than 5 years it is

Unfortunately I can't see that happening. Benn, Granlund, Duchene, and Ceci's contracts are all up this year so I think they'll make signing Johnston their first priority. Would love to take a swing at Duchene in UFA on a 2 year if he gets priced out though. Nice stopgap until Hage is ready.

 

[Deebs]

Unfortunately I can't see that happening. Benn, Granlund, Duchene, and Ceci's contracts are all up this year so I think they'll make signing Johnston their first priority. Would love to take a swing at Duchene in UFA on a 2 year if he gets priced out though. Nice stopgap until Hage is ready.

I know it probably won't....gotta dream. Players like Duchene...they don't do anything for me. He's also an ultra christian with deep ties in Dallas with his family so I figure he'll take a sweetheart deal to stay there.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

I know it probably won't....gotta dream. Players like Duchene...they don't do anything for me. He's also an ultra christian with deep ties in Dallas with his family so I figure he'll take a sweetheart deal to stay there.

Definitely possible. Would just rather to a 2-3 year stopgap if we're signing the Duchenes/Bennetts of the world instead of a 7 year deal that's almost certainly going to age like milk

 

[Deebs]

Definitely possible. Would just rather to a 2-3 year stopgap if we're signing the Duchenes/Bennetts of the world instead of a 7 year deal that's almost certainly going to age like milk

Yeah....love Bennett but if he's looking long term which I wouldn't blame him, that could end up rough on the back half of it.