Yes, we have to remember that, in reality, 1Cs are rarely around in the middle of round 1. But with that said, it is disheartening to hear that your organization's highest pick in 20 years is only looking like a more offensive Helm. Is that a valuable player? Of course. Can we blame management for not getting a better player? Not without hindsight. But is it a player who, combined with the rest of our current crop, is going to help make us a contender post-Zetterberg/Datsyuk? No. Larkin-Sheahan is not a pair of centers you contend for Cups with (let alone win). Its a nice, rugged, blue-collar pair of guys who you can get behind as a fan, but its comparable to Vermette-Hanzal in Phoenix.
Now, if we weren't so desperate for top line center talent there would probably be a lot more excitement surrounding a "more offensive Helm" but the fact remains its getting to be the 11th hour in Zetterberg/Datsyuk's career and there is still no heir apparent to their throne, let alone that of a skilled 1C who tops out as a guy like Krejci. And to make matters worse, in the back of a lot of people's minds is the thinking that if we couldn't get a 1C with our highest pick in 20 years, how far exactly do we have to fall and how good does the draft have to be before we land that guy? Its scary to think about. And rightfully so.