2nd Line Center Question

[Lafleurs Guy]

This keeps coming up in different forms so I figured I'd create it's own thread for it here.

The Canadiens came into this season pretty confident that Dach would be their number two. So far it hasn't worked out that way and as a result the entire lineup seems off. Posters seem split on what to do with Dach himself but while he works to get his confidence back, we still remain without a true number two center. So what route do we take?

Option 1. Stay the course. Wait for Dach to find his game and tough it out. This likely results in a high pick anyway so there's an extra benefit from going this route.
Option 2. Trade for a temporary fix. We could trade for a Monahan/Malkin type and ride them for a couple of years. We'd probably go up in the standings but they could help the youngters develop.
Option 3. Trade for a more permanent solution. In this scenario we get somebody who can fill in for years at the position.

In all of these scenarios, I like the idea of keeping Dach. I think he'll regain his form even if it takes time. At the very least he'd be great to have for center depth.

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[WeThreeKings]

This keeps coming up in different forms so I figured I'd create it's own thread for it here.

The Canadiens came into this season pretty confident that Dach would be their number two. So far it hasn't worked out that way and as a result the entire lineup seems off. Posters seem split on what to do with Dach himself but while he works to get his confidence back, we still remain without a true number two center. So what route do we take?

Option 1. Stay the course. Wait for Dach to find his game and tough it out. This likely results in a high pick anyway so there's an extra benefit from going this route.
Option 2. Trade for a temporary fix. We could trade for a Monahan/Malkin type and ride them for a couple of years. We'd probably go up in the standings but they could help the youngters develop.
Option 3. Trade for a more permanent solution. In this scenario we get somebody who can fill in for years at the position.

In all of these scenarios, I like the idea of keeping Dach. I think he'll regain his form even if it takes time. At the very least he'd be great to have for center depth.

You just ride it out with Dach, we have the rest of this year and all of next year to evaluate him. But even if he trends up and finds his game, I don't think that stops us from doing the things we need to do to have more depth and opportunity there.

There's Bennet on FA which I probably would avoid because I don't think he's really a 2C and the term and contract will probably be ugly.

Someone mentioned trying to trade for Malkin in the summer, that one I like because it not only gives some short term insurance and upside to the roster, but it also gives an esteemed generational Russian talent to help mentor and ease Demidov in to north america next season.

 

[LaP]

For this year i'd keep the course but if Dach does not improve we'll have to move next summer. Hage wont be ready before at least another 3 years and we can't be 3 years without a 2nd line center so if Dach doesn't figure it out then next summer acquire a vet 2nd line center on a 2-3 years deal max. Avoid the 4-5 years deal.

 

[Andy]

Unless there is a clear, proven upgrade, I would ride out it out for now

 

[sampollock]

cant sell the farm
Dach is it till.....KH decides different

 

[Andy]

Maybe to add, at the very least I think the team will want to see what impact Laine has in the lineup. Although it will be another player who has to find their groove after a long injury.

I don’t believe in cursed, but hard not to when it’s always the players with potential that have been getting long term injuries in the last few years

 

[McGees]

We aren't making the playoffs, points don't matter - so you might as well spend the season trying to get Dach going.
Then you know what you have exactly by the offseason.

 

[rahad]

You just ride it out with Dach, we have the rest of this year and all of next year to evaluate him. But even if he trends up and finds his game, I don't think that stops us from doing the things we need to do to have more depth and opportunity there.

There's Bennet on FA which I probably would avoid because I don't think he's really a 2C and the term and contract will probably be ugly.

Someone mentioned trying to trade for Malkin in the summer, that one I like because it not only gives some short term insurance and upside to the roster, but it also gives an esteemed generational Russian talent to help mentor and ease Demidov in to north america next season.

Malkin would be great for us and Demidov. The only problem with this trade is his No movement clause. Next year will be Malkin last year in the NHL. I don't see him removing his NMC for us. If he get traded it would be with a stanley cup contender (this year or next year.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Malkin would be great for us and Demidov. The only problem with this trade is his No movement clause. Next year will be Malkin last year in the NHL. I don't see him removing his NMC for us. If he get traded it would be with a stanley cup contender (this year or next year.

Someone did say he said he'd love to play in Montreal, not sure if that's true or not.. so it being his last year in the NHL, it's possible he might chase a childhood dream vs. another cup.

 

[Theodore450]

Ride out this year.
Move him in the summer.
Find a real FA in Free Agency or trade

 

[417]

Answer is pretty simple to me...believe in the player.

I think it's way more likely he's the player he showed us he was before his injury, then he is the player he's shown us the first 24 games of this season.

The comeback will be glorious.

 

[CapSpace]

Let's say NYR can't dump Kreider and/or Trouba and are willing to move Zibanejad. Would you ?

 

[ExReHabs]

Unless there is a clear, proven upgrade, I would ride out it out for now

An upgrade over 8pts/24gp and completely dazed on the ice despite 16min/game?

I reckon it wouldn’t be too hard to find players better than that.

Is it worth acquiring them now or later? I dunno. Doesn’t seem to matter really, the season is lost and Dach is worthless as a trade asset so might as well ride it out and hope he wakes up.

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

Sit Dach for 5 games, then throw him at 2C and leave him there bo matter what.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Option 1: keep Dach, center
- wait for off-season evaluation of:
—-dach
—-hage
—-draft position
…. Then Loop back over 3 options.

Option 2: keep Dach, wing
- internal bridge (Newhook, Beck, other)
- LT solution trade
- ST trade

Option 3: trade Dach for:
- LT solution
- ST solution
- other

Option 1 until the off-season.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Someone did say he said he'd love to play in Montreal, not sure if that's true or not.. so it being his last year in the NHL, it's possible he might chase a childhood dream vs. another cup.

I believe I was the one who mentioned Malkin. Maybe somebody else did independently. I have no idea about him wanting to come here though. Crosby was/is a big Montreal fan. But I don't think Pittsburgh lets him go and if they did it would be a super expensive acquisition. Malkin makes far more sense from that perspective.

 

[Habby4Life]

If Bennett reaches UFA, back the brinks truck up and go get him. Otherwise find a real 2c in the summer.

 

[OldCraig71]

Trade for help. Currently, it's Suzuki and scraps and this is not helping the team. There is no scoring threat unless it comes from Nick and Cole, nothing. Well, I guess some random goal from Armia or some other player isn't nothing but it certainly isn't consistent and can't be relied upon.

We need a veteran center who can create chances for his wingers, not just the dump-and-chase we get from Evans and Dvorak. That type of play is okay but better suited for the bottom two lines.

Everyone is talking about Laine's return. That's great; he should look good next to Evans. We need help, and we don't have it. Young prospects take time to develop, and some just can't cut it at center—see Dach.

 

[Bourdon101]

I think it sends a bad message to the team to have a guy be as dejected, lazy and apathetic as Dach put in an enviable position like this. Evans merits the spot a lot more, even Newhook is at least trying out there. Letting Dach coast upward is a bad precedent and steers us towards a losing culture.

Is the chance that Dach goes back to being what he was for a stretch in 2023 (and the upside of that player, which was greatly overrated by the more vocal and respected posters here) worth the message it sends to the players?... Essentially, that the team cares more about asset management and draft status than effort and results?

I don't think so. This season, much like Kirby Dach, is a lost cause. Let whoever wants it the most pivot the 2nd line, even if he doesn't have the makeup of a top 6 player. This roster has a big hole, but plugging it is useless at this point. It'll have to happen in the offseason.

 

[Habano]

This keeps coming up in different forms so I figured I'd create it's own thread for it here.

The Canadiens came into this season pretty confident that Dach would be their number two. So far it hasn't worked out that way and as a result the entire lineup seems off. Posters seem split on what to do with Dach himself but while he works to get his confidence back, we still remain without a true number two center. So what route do we take?

Option 1. Stay the course. Wait for Dach to find his game and tough it out. This likely results in a high pick anyway so there's an extra benefit from going this route.
Option 2. Trade for a temporary fix. We could trade for a Monahan/Malkin type and ride them for a couple of years. We'd probably go up in the standings but they could help the youngters develop.
Option 3. Trade for a more permanent solution. In this scenario we get somebody who can fill in for years at the position.

In all of these scenarios, I like the idea of keeping Dach. I think he'll regain his form even if it takes time. At the very least he'd be great to have for center depth.

Option 1

 

[Tabarouette]

This is the most important position in modern hockey since goalies stopped being good, don't sit there and cross your fingers for Dach to turn it around too long

So ride it out BUT, rather than just being passive, be on an active lookout for a better option

 

[morhilane]

I think it sends a bad message to the team to have a guy be as dejected, lazy and apathetic as Dach put in an enviable position like this. Evans merits the spot a lot more, ...

Dach was bottom 2 in TOI at 5v5 in the last two games. I don't think Evans would bring anything to PP1, not sure why you want them swapped.

 

[Tabarouette]

Dach was bottom 2 in TOI at 5v5 in the last two games. I don't think Evans would bring anything to PP1, not sure why you want them swapped.

Dach hasn't missed a single shift on PP1 and has 4 assists to show for, 3 of which were secondary assists

he absolutely does not deserve to be on that unit, that's the first thing you take away from apathetic players. Put anyone else who's playing hard there, Gallagher deserves it more, Heineman deserves it more, hell just play Hutson-Matheson if you ABSOLUTELY don't want matheson off this damn PP1 (which is crazy)

 

[OldCraig71]

This is the most important position in modern hockey since goalies stopped being good, don't sit there and cross your fingers for Dach to turn it around too long

So ride it out BUT, rather than just being passive, be on an active lookout for a better option

The very reason for our irrelevance for the last 30 years.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Draft a high end centre with our next couple of lottery picks and hope for the best