Can't the same be said for one player on most every team?
I think we rank up pretty high with this one. We have ONE good center, with him down we have none. No one, as yet, who can remotely step into that role. I'm not talking playoffs even.
Many teams could lose key players and suffer, us included (and we have, quite a few times in our recent history and cup runs) and have depth to hold down the fort. Call ups, rookies stepping up, etc.
But losing our only great center? There's nothing to fill that void unless it's very short term. Having Panarin helps as he can drive play and be the playmaker with a competent C, but we're in a different boat than most teams with regards to losing a key player. In my opinion.
Like I said, not a big deal this season but it needs to be fixed if we're going to be remotely competitive anytime in the next 5 years. Don't need to have two all-star centers... just a 1B to go with Zib would work. Last year Hayes would (I'm happy we're not paying him 7x7, just saying production/skill wise it'd be fine). We have no one near that and none of the prospects have shown much promise in that position. Here's hoping Howden steps up or Chytil shows he will be more than a winger. Fairly certain both Kakko and Kravtsov will at least get looked at there, too. But that's a lot of hoping. If we even had a guy like Poehling in our system I'd be content.
edit: To be clear I'm not just talking this season, I'm talking the next 3. It's something we 100% have to address because assuming all else works out well with this group, which I think it will, that will be our Achilles heel and it's a hell of a one to have. Imagine the even worse playoff scenario? Guess who gets targeted and hit 40 times a game? (Yes, I am also aware star players on teams get targeted every playoff series, but we will likely have several of those the next time we're in it... spreads it out, potentially 3 stud wingers at once for other teams to look out for. But just one center. Easy decision there...) It's hell for match ups too since we have no one behind him to handle the rest. We'd be out quick. I know it, and JD, DQ, JG etc certainly know it. I know it will be addressed, I'm just really curious as to how and when. So if I'm looking to move someone of value, especially at the TDL, I'm definitely looking at a team that has a center prospect we can try to nab.
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