Wow...Carter at center?!? Who would have ever thought of that!
As mentioned ad naseum since we've all been projecting lines since June, slotting Carter in at center allows for everyone to slot in to proper positions and give the Kings more offensive potential in the Bottom-6. So those of us proposing this had Richards/Stoll as 3rd and 4th line and Gaborik was not in the equation (Frattin was lol) but the idea is basically the same.
For the last time, Carter doesn't need Mike Richards. Maybe Mike needs him but I don't care as I'd rather any of Mike's weak games drag down guys that don't need much dragging down as opposed to neutralizing Carter.
Barring injuries, this team will be a tough out for anybody. Could not say that prior to the Gaborik addition and Pearson's emergence. Not too shabby for a season that many posters on here have deemed a "throwaway season".
As for Brayden Schenn, he's probably going to get 20 goals this year while also being a consistent physical presence. His ceiling was supposedly Mike Richards when he was Cannon but I believe myself and others saw him, at worst, as a sort of "souped-up" Jarett Stoll. The latter looks more likely at this point but he is still a good, young player. Hindsight is 20/20, of course, but this team needed a legit #2C behind Kopitar so I have no problem with the selection then or now. I also wonder if he would of seen some significant time in Manchester in the 2011-12 season to help further his development.
