We don't know if Minten is ready, unless we give him a run, particularly with healthy and steady linemates. It's premature to say he's not 100% ready, or to crown him the 3C. Domi has done reasonably well as a top 6C, in spots.... I mean in all seriousness, name a team with a top 6C, playing as a 3C, excepting developing players? What's the most points a Stanley Cup finalist, has got out of their 3C in a regular season that last couple of years? I think it's Lundell, with 35 points last year.
Florida had 80, 41, 35 and 15 points out of their C's. Nobody has a potential 50-60 point C, as their 3C, it's just not a norm, nor a reasonable expectation.
The most recent example of someone trying to get a 2C, and putting them with 3C minutes is Edmonton Oilers, with Henrique, who really looked like a good pickup for them, and a guy people around here talked about. With the reduced minutes as a 3C, he's on 9 points, after 28 games. His points per 60 is 1.05. Minten's points per 60 is 1.76. You reduce players TOI, and they typically become less effective.
We need to be patient on Minten, and see what he's capable of. I'm not saying he's the guy, but we have plenty of time to make changes, 16 games between now and Jan 14th.... so I'd give him that run, give teams time to fall out of the playoffs, and make a decision then... no rush. See if he's good enough, make the calls to see who is available, and what the cost to obtain them is. It also gives time to see if that's is indeed our biggest need... we don't know if a Goalie, a Winger, or a top D has a season ending injury... and if we make that trade now, and don't have the assets left... we won't be able to fix that hole.
You've edited some...
Kampf is fine for a 4C... he's just overpaid... there really aren't too many better 4C's... just more appropriately paid.
