I like the idea of solving our center depth problem internally. Keep Strome. Keep Zibanejad (and reevaluate in a year). And instead of trading for a shiny new toy, just put a lot of resources into developing Chytil. There are a lot of tools to work with there. At worst, he’s a great 3C (and we have Zibanejad and Strome as our top 6 centers anyways). At best, he develops into a 1C. Kravtsov also has the tools to become a great center. And Barron is looking like a great middle 6 option.
The key here is Zibanejad. If he’s not a surefire, elite 1C by this time next year, I think that’s when you make a trade for one. It’s much easier to hope one of Chytil/Kravtsov/Strome becomes a 1C when you already have one in Zibanejad. But you can’t put all your eggs in that basket if Zibanejad badly regresses.
Nolan Patrick is a very intriguing option though. There’s some upside there, and he probably won’t cost too much. If he can be had for a 2nd, Georgiev, and maybe another minor-ish asset, I’d do it.