There are flashes at both positions with Jost... I just think it comes down to ultimate upside at each position and what you're okay with long-term. I can't see Jost's skating ever getting to the point where he can consistently make a high level impact on both ends of the ice at center. His mindset is always going to be about taking care of defense first (and that is a good thing), but I think that will keep his slant towards that end of the ice. If you're okay with Jost likely topping out around a 35-40 point #3C that plays good defense... then I think you can focus in his development towards that. If you want a #2C, I just don't think that ability is there. If you have to get a 2nd liner out of him, I think you have to move him to wing to shorten up the ice, but you're going to need some speed and size opposite of him as it seems he will always have a bit of inconsistency with his ability to take physical play and be effective on the boards. I can honestly see this either way. I lean towards a good 2nd line wing having a higher impact than a #3C, but I think that is highly debatable and a below average 2nd line wing certainly has less impact than a #3C.
If the Avs move long-term to a MacK-Cozens/Turcotte-Jost setup down the middle, they should really be set for 6-7 years at the position. Then it would be about filling the wings.
