Is Paul Stastny still a true #1 center?

[cgf]

Sounds an awful lot like the Western conference version of Plekanec.

Yeah, that's always been a reasonable comparison. Staz has produced higher numbers with high quality linemates (Stewie when he still cared, Hejduk before he fell apart, Landy and later MacK last season), but otherwise the two have a lot in common.

 

[The Kingslayer]

Sounds an awful lot like the Western conference version of Plekanec.

A very good comparison.

 

[cgf]

He is a #1 center. Just not an elite.

Which is the crux of the argument. To some people you're not a "real" #1 C unless you're elite, thus the use of the term 1b Center; for others if you're a #1 C you're a #1 C, and if you're elite you're an elite #1 C, not a "real" #1 C.

If you think you need to be elite to be a "real" #1 C then Staz never was. If you believe there are #1 C's who are not elite #1Cs than Pauly absolutely was one and still is that player if he gets put in that role.